RTS Parents' Newsletter

I hope that you all enjoyed a restful half term. The students came back refreshed and ready to learn, with Year 10 focusing on their AP3 assessments. Elsewhere in school the Nonesuch Orchestra were on site and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing their music during the morning.

We were honoured to share our Remembrance Day two minute silence with our neighbouring schools Clarendon and Capella. All students demonstrated exemplary behaviour and we are proud to be able to come together in this way and show our respect.

This half term I am delighted to announce the RTS Head Students for 2025-206 - Albert and Jake - I will handover to them to introduce themselves below.

Have a lovely weekend.

Ms Dooley | Head Teacher

Albert and Jake introduce themselves and their plans via the video link after the photograph.

Before the half-term break, Year 11 GCSE Geography students headed to Stratford to collect human geography data to assess the sustainability of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

• Annabel: "It was a good way to get a feel for collecting primary data rather than using a secondary source"
• Albert: "I found it interesting how much each site differed"
• Sophia: "I liked how engaging it was"
• Nikolina: "I believe the trip was affective in helping us with our human fieldwork as we covered multiple sites allowing us to get a larger view on the sustainability of the area and I enjoyed it overall."

Before half term, the Science Department took 50 Year 9 students to the New Scientist Live event. Ms Webb writes:

"There were four stages of interactive shows and stalls from a range of companies and institutions - including the Royal Air Force, University of Edinburgh; and the National Space Centre.

Some highlights from students were discussing careers that they didn't even know existed, watching the explosions in the live shows, and scanning their bones to see if they were still growing (they were!)

It was a great day, and students were a credit to RTS!"

We had the utter pleasure of the Nonesuch Orchestra joining us on Thursday morning to play to and work with Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Music students. The sound of the orchestra carried through the school all morning and was such a beautiful sound. Funding for this was provided by the Jack Petchey Foundation and through the generosity of Jia-Yung, Y11, who won a prize earlier this year and choose this activity to benefit and support the GCSE Music students.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Scholastic Book Fair for the two weeks before the half-term break.

The students really enjoyed being able to browse the books on offer and, thanks to your generosity, we were able to earn £200 in free books! These are now available to borrow from the library.

In case you hadn't worked it out...consider yourself [informed]!!!

Tuesday 18 November, 18:00-19:00. RTS Sixth Form Plus Talk & Tour - starting at RTS then moving across to the Richmond upon Thames College. Please sign up via the form shared by email.

First Car Park Marshalling Sessions Raise £5,350!

The last two Saturdays of marshalling have raised an incredible £5,350 in vital funds for our school.

This achievement was made possible by the unwavering support of our parent and student volunteers, whose dedication and teamwork were instrumental throughout the day. Their enthusiasm and commitment truly embody the spirit of our school community.

Thank you to everyone who contributed - your involvement makes a real difference.

If you would like to donate an hour or two of your time at events, uniform sales or parking please click here to join our WhatsApp group.

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Pre-loved uniform: upcoming sales for your diary

FoRTS volunteers run bi-monthly uniform sales on Fridays, 2.30-4pm. Dates for this academic year as below:

Fri 05 Dec

Fri 06 Feb

Fri 17 Apr

Fri 05 June

Entrance is via the school’s main entrance into the Atrium.

Please pay by card wherever possible but we do also accept cash.

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Easyfundraising

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to Friends of RTS through #easyfundraising. Your support is invaluable in helping us achieve our mission.

If you haven't signed up yet, the process is simple and completely free. With over 8,100 brands participating, a percentage of your everyday online purchases will be donated to us—at no additional cost to you. Join us in making a meaningful impact today.

So far we have raised £1,277.95

Sign up here: Easyfundraising

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FoRTS Volunteering

Join FoRTS by clicking here. It’s as simple as that!

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Acting Secretary) and Pino (Treasurer)

General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

If you have concerns in relation to a student at RTS or indeed with regards to your own child, you may want to contact Single Point of Access (SPA) which acts as a central information hub for all professional agencies in Kingston and Richmond.

Richmond and Kingston SPA

The SPA phone lines are now open as follows:

• Monday-Thursday 08.00-17.15 and Friday 08.00-17.00 - the phone number during these times is 020 8547 5008

• Out of hours: 020 8770 5000

Hounslow Early Help Assessment

• Telephone number: 020 8583 6600

• Out of hours: 020 8583 2222

• Email: earlyhelp@hounslow.gov.uk

NSPCC:

Speak to a counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Telephone number: 0808 800 5000, or text 88858

• Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

• Signvideo using British Sign Language (Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm)

Full-term dates and Inset day information is available on the school's website:

• Autumn Term 2: Monday 10 November-Friday 19 December

Please find the Parent Calendar Summary for 2025-2026. Please check this regularly as some dates and times may be adjusted throughout the year.

Princess Alice Hospice is delighted to be hosting two Santa Fun Run events this year — one at Bushy Park on Sunday 30th November and another at Sandown Racecourse on Sunday 14th December.

Our local community’s support makes all the difference — helping us ensure these events are well attended and enabling us to raise the vital funds needed to care for our patients and support their families and friends through the challenges of life-limiting illness.

The Mental Elf Festive Fun Run isn’t just about getting into the Christmas spirit – it’s about helping Richmond Mind raise awareness and support for mental health during what can be a challenging time for many.

Attached is a flyer with all the key details (date, time, venue), and the image includes a clickable link for more info and ticket sales.

All participants will receive a sustainable wooden medal and a National Trust day pass.

Looking to join a local football club? Take a look at the flyers below for more detail!

Dakoda’s – a dance and performing arts academy devoted to nurturing confidence, creativity, and joy through dance.

We’re delighted to now be holding dance classes at Radnor House School, Pope’s Villa, Twickenham (TW1 4QG), and would love to share this news with local families.

Our Saturday morning programme begins with Parent & Baby Ballet at 10:30am, followed by Acro and Street Danceclasses for older children. Many of our dancers start in our early years sessions and continue to grow with us as their confidence and love for dance flourish.

Parents in Conflict for separated or divorced parents or carers, a 3 week course being held in Ham - afternoon (12.30pm-2.30pm) or evening group available (6pm-8pm). 2 groups are being offered on the same day so separated parents can attend different groups.

Professionals can refer a parent/carer or parents/carers can self refer by completing an online registration form, please see the link below:

https://forms.gle/WsBeMXDAZ2z8N8eUA

For more information and details please contact: karen.williams@achievingforchildren.org.uk

These groups are arranged by Achieving for Children - Providing children's services for Kingston and Richmond

Please find details on MHST Workshops being held over the course of the next academic year:

• "Helping Children with"
• "Helping Teens with"

For advice and resources about mental health and wellbeing, please scan the QR code.

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