RTS Parents' Newsletter

What a wonderfully busy two weeks we have had!

We recently had the privilege of welcoming 23 Spanish students on a cultural and educational visit to our school via the Kingston Study Centre. They were buddied up with Year 10 students and spent nine days in school attending classes as if they were RTS students. They attended assemblies, met Brentford FC footballers, engaged with the teachers, improved their English; and made firm friendships. We were sad to see them leave - and they were sad to go! Opportunities like this are so beneficial for our students to experience and we enjoy sharing our school in this way.

Our Open Morning events have also started up this week and we have already welcomed over 100 visitors through the doors to tour the school with our incredible Year 7 and Year 9 ambassadors. The feedback we receive is always how informed and enthusiastic the students are - we are proud of their involvement and self-assured behaviour.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Ms Dooley | Head Teacher

Year 9 students have been learning about earthquake management in Humanities.

Both Ms Harding and Ms Dunningham were incredibly impressed with Samuel's dedication in making a seismograph in his own time.

We are absolutely delighted to share that RTS has successfully achieved Level 4 of the RHS School Gardening Awards! We now have just one more level to complete. Ms Perera has worked tirelessly with her Garden Gang Enrichment students to work their way through the levels - and they now have Level 5 in their sights.

They have transformed what was an area of neglected/poorly growing bushes into an absolute haven of abundance and joy. The entrance by the car park is a colourful welcome into school every morning.

As part of their Citizenship GCSE, two Year 11 students are running a foodbank initiative in aid of the Richmond Foodbank. Please help support them by sending in items on Thursday 15 October - they can be dropped off at Reception. Thank you in advance.

As part of our PSHE curriculum, the session helped students recognise how young people can be targeted and exploited, identify warning signs and understand where to seek help and support.

Workshops like this are an important part of PSHE, equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves and others safe.

Tuesday 06 October, Year 11 GCSE Art students head off to Putney to a pottery workshop. There their creativity ran wild in designing and painting mugs.

Our Garden Gang had another exciting day in the RTS garden ! The children Proudly harvested our sweetcorns, and their excitement and happiness were absolutely infectious! There’s nothing quite like the joy of picking and enjoying something you’ve helped to grow.

While observing wildlife in the garden, our Garden Gang also had a special encounter with the snail Gang! They carefully observed our little garden visitors and enjoyed discovering more about the wildlife that share our garden with us.

So many wonderful opportunities to learn, explore and connect with nature!

If you don't already do so, we would strongly recommend downloading the Abor App Parent Portal.

Add using Arbor notifications in the app as something we can start to push in the parent bulletin.

• Access important information about your child in one place: See your child’s attendance, behaviour and progress for the week as well as for the year so far. You can also download report cards for your child
• Get updates from school via push notifications: Get notified when we send out a new message via the App

We will continue to send out communications via email; however we will also begin to send out communications via the App that come from the School Office - so whole school information, Parent Evening information etc.

We would welcome any feedback on use of the App.

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

  • Autumn Term 1 2026-2027: Wednesday 02 September-Friday 23 October

  • INSET Day: Friday 09 October - school closed to students

  • Autumn Term 2: Monday 09 November-Friday 18 December

Please find the Parent Calendar Summary for 2026-2027. Please check this regularly as some dates and times may be adjusted throughout the year.

A date for your diary - Tuesday 17 November. RTS Sixth Form Plus event at both RTS and RuTC, in conjunction with their Open Evening. Details will be shared with you in due course.

Now recruiting: Join our PTA Leadership Team!

We’re seeking committed parents who want to support our school, represent children’s voices, and help shape positive initiatives. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

It is also possible to join as a duo in any one of the roles if you would like to help but would like a partner in crime.

• Chair: Leads the committee and represents parents. Focus: meetings with Head, AGM, events, community and communication
• Secretary: Focus: newsletter, minutes, branding, uniform sales, event support
• Treasurer: Focus: budgets, payments, bank account, HMRC/Charity reporting, summaries

Please take the time to watch this video - then fill in this short form, and we will be in touch.

Contact me if you are interested forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Regards Carmelle (Chair)

Pre-loved uniform

We are looking for donations of good condition blazers, jumpers, skirts and game tops. If your child has outgrown any items please ask them to bring in to school and leave with reception.

We are NOT asking for trousers, shirts/blouses or white RTS PE tops.

We will be publishing our new sales dates very soon.

We accept card and cash payment.

FoRTS Volunteering

With your continued support, we can achieve even greater things for our children and their school. You really do make a difference and we certainly cannot do this without you.

If you would like to join this wonderful team click HERE to join the Whatsapp group.

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 £1,463.17

Sign up here: Easyfundraising

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)

Twickenham, October 2026: Church Street is preparing for a frightfully fun Halloween on Saturday 31st October, with the Mayor joining traders, families and visitors for the celebrations.

The Mayor will be on Church Street from 5pm to 6pm, meeting local traders and families, seeing the street’s Halloween transformation and taking on the important task of judging two of the evening’s hotly contested competitions: the Fancy Dress Competition (at Mint Hair Spa) and the Traders’ Pumpkin Carving Competition.

Church Street’s independent traders will be putting their pumpkin carving skills to the test, with their creations displayed outside their businesses ready for judging. Meanwhile, children, families and grown-ups are encouraged to arrive in their best Halloween costumes and join in the Fancy Dress Competition.

EVENT DETAILS

Halloween on Church Street
Date: Saturday 31st October 2026
Location: Church Street, Twickenham
Halloween celebrations: 2pm–8pm
Trick or Treat: 4pm–6pm
Mayor’s visit and competition judging: 5pm–6pm

Free to attend. Families and visitors of all ages are welcome.

Come dressed up, bring your trick-or-treat bag and prepare for an afternoon and evening of Halloween mischief on Church Street.

Families are invited to make their way along the street, going in and out of participating independent shops, restaurants and businesses to collect treats and discover what might be lurking behind each door.

Visitors can expect Trick or Treat, the Halloween Sweet Trail and quiz, street performers and entertainment, food stalls, seasonal treats, children’s activities, Halloween decorations and plenty of surprises along the way.

Are looking for new Year 7 players. Many RTS students already play for the teams.

We have launched a new Cheer program at our Osterley location – we ask if you can please share with all your students and parents. Some classes are funded for children! Please can this be sent to your SENCO team as we have a special SEN/PAN disability group running.

Classes Available

Beginners – Recreational Level

Ages 4-7 Big Bees

Ages 7 -14 Venom

Funded Classes

Disability Cheer – Cheerabilties – Age 7 – 16

Premier League Kicks Cheer – Age 10 – 16

Competitive Squads – must attend a trial for placement

Little Stingers U10 (born between 2016-2020

Sting Squad U12 (born between 2014-2019)

Booking Link - https://activities.bookpebble.co.uk/supplier/brentford-fc-cst-fa5b2e85-6952-44f6-9f02-271c47d8dbe3#categoryId=a3496ddd-4526-4368-b4c4-9d7a6c01339f

Please email – Tumblebees@brentfordfccst.com if you have any questions.

Barnes Eagles FC are looking for Year 9 male players to join an existing team playing in the u14 boys Surrey Youth league on Sunday morning.

If you are interested, please contact our director of football Matt on 07594284209 mentioning Silvano's advert.

The Arts Richmond Literature Festival is back this November with a fantastic new line-up.

Wednesday 4th November: Award-winning Elly Griffiths will be talking about her crime writing, focusing on her latest DI Ali Dawson title, The Killing Time.

Wednesday 11th November: Alwyn Turner, historian and writer, explores Britain’s trauma, resilience and identity in A Shellshocked Nation: Britain between the Wars.

Wednesday 18th November: Andrew Lownie will be discussing privilege, scandal and royal life in his Sunday Times bestseller, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.

Wednesday 25th November: The world-renowned cellist, Julian Lloyd Webber, recounts his family and artistic life in his fascinating autobiography, Bows and Arrows.

All these events will be held at The Exchange Twickenham, who this year will be running the box office for us. For each event, the doors open at 7 pm, and the talks start at 7.30 pm
There will be a chance after each talk to be part of a Q&A, and our authors will be more than happy to sign their books for you after the presentation.

As part of this year’s book festival, we are delighted to be joined by Carol Kirkwood at Duke Street Richmond on Monday 16th November at 7.30 pm.

Weather presenter turned novelist Carol Kirkwood talks about early starts, her 28 years presenting the BBC Breakfast weather forecast and her new book, The Christmas Invitation.
There will be a chance after each talk to be part of a Q&A, and Carol will also be more than happy to sign her book for you after the presentation.

I'm Tom Maybey, the Richmond Parenting Lead, and I facilitate the parenting support offer across the borough.

I am writing to share the new Autumn Term Parenting Programme from Achieving for Children. We have a fantastic lineup of accredited courses, one-off bespoke workshops, and drop-in sessions designed to support families.

• Richmond Course Booking & Support Request Form: Parents can use this to book onto any of the courses below or request general support: https://forms.gle/R4aQPsyNwczgAnT58

• Kingston Families Support Form: For families living in Kingston requiring parenting support: https://forms.gle/PAErqUpZic3pqzhu6

• 1-to-1 Parenting Advice Diary: Families can book directly into my diary for a 15-minute tailored advice slot: https://calendar.app.google/qL7MEFk3zSN2yg2H7

Autumn Term Course Summary

Here is a quick overview of what we are running this term. All courses are free to attend (some have a small suggested donation for course booklets).

Workshops & Drop-ins:

• Making Sense of Big Feelings: A neuro-inclusive workshop on understanding emotions and safely de-escalating meltdowns. (Barnes CC: 6 Oct | White House FH: 9 Nov)

• Digital Parenting: Down-to-earth strategies to manage screen time, gaming, and navigate online risks like AI. (Ham CC: 17 Nov | Heathfield CC: 16 Dec)

• Stay and Play Drop-ins: Informal spaces for parents to get quick, face-to-face advice while their children play. (Ham: 24 Sept | Barnes: 6 Oct | White House: 9 Oct | Sunflower: 10 Nov | Heathfield: 10 Dec)

Short Courses (2–4 weeks):

• Playful Parenting (Under 5s): 2 sessions focusing on building strong parent-child attachment and healthy emotional growth through play. (White House FH: 16 & 23 Oct)

• Parents In Conflict: A 3-week targeted course focusing on constructive communication and reducing the impact of relationship disagreements on children. (Ham CC: 1 Dec – 15 Dec)

• Talking Teens: 4 sessions exploring adolescent brain development, breaking down communication walls, and setting boundaries. (Powerstation YC: 28 Sept – 19 Oct)

Longer Programmes (6–10 weeks):

• Teen Life (National Autistic Society): A specialized 6-session programme for parents of autistic 10–16 year olds, focusing on communication and independence. (Ham CC: 6 Nov – 11 Dec)

• The Nurturing Programme: A 10-week evidence-based course for primary-aged families, looking at the 'why' behind behaviors and positive discipline. (Heathfield CC: 23 Sept – 2 Dec)

Local bereavement charity, space2grieve is on hand, during both term time and school holidays, to provide free bereavement support for families living in the borough of Richmond.

When a significant person in a child’s life has died, parents and carers can feel overwhelmed and uncertain how best to support their children as often they are grieving themselves. In a Parenting Through Grief session, our experienced specialist bereavement supporters provide parents and carers with a space to talk it through, as well as key information and resources, so that they feel better equipped to help their grieving children. For children and young people, support is in the form of one-on-one sessions either in school or at our welcoming space at the ETNA Community Centre in Twickenham. The sessions are free, and available via self-referral.

For further information:

space2grieve.org.uk

0751 937 6363

Or email cypsupport@space2grieve.org.uk

It takes courage to ask for help. But for many young people who do, the support they need just isn’t there. Hundreds of thousands of young people are struggling with their mental health, but too many are being told to wait, struggling to cope and hitting a crisis point before they get help.

But things can get better. And Young Minds are leading the movement for change.

We provide young people with the tools to look after their mental health. We empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in.

Together, we can create a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.

The Helpline is a lifeline for parents, carers and children/young people who don’t know where to turn, or don’t feel listened to when their child is, or they are, struggling.

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