RTS Parents' Newsletter
20 June 2025
Head Teacher's Message
Thank you for your support during this hot weather in ensuring uniform has been adjusted and students have come in prepared with sun protection and refillable water bottles. Student wellbeing and comfort is key to enable them to continue to study effectively. Unless you receive communication to the contrary, next week, with the return to more normal temperatures, we will return to usual school uniform as per student's timetables and the wearing of ties and blazers.
This week saw a large group of our Year 9 students head out on their Duke of Edinburgh expedition, walking around the New Forest on two of the hottest days of the year so far. Staff have commended the students on their maturity, consideration and support for each other in ensuring that everyone in their group stayed safe and hydrated. By all accounts, despite the challenges of the heat, the groups had an absolutely fantastic time and all completed their walk with plenty of time for everyone to catch the same train home - some students even fell asleep before the train had departed Brockenhurst!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - with the longest day upon us - do enjoy the extra sunshine.
~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher
Excellence Through Endeavour
Borough Athletics Championships
A huge congratulations to all our students who represented RTS at the recent Borough Athletics Championships. We are incredibly proud of the following achievements:
- Theo B – 1st place track
- Bella Brown – 1st place track
- Finley G – 2nd place track
- James L – 2nd place track
- Gloria M– 3rd place Shot Putt
- Ben K – 3rd place in Shot Putt
- Freya E – 3rd place in Shot Putt
- Boys Year 10 Relay Team – 3rd place
Year 9 - Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
Spotlight On
Year 10 - Oxford University
Before half-term our Year 10 students had the exciting opportunity to attend a talk delivered by a representative from Oxford University. The session aimed to inspire and inform students about higher education pathways, the application process, and what life is like at one of the world’s leading universities. The speaker shared valuable insights into the variety of courses offered, the importance of aiming high, and the steps students can take now to prepare for future academic success. Students found the session both motivating and informative, and it helped to broaden their aspirations for post-16 and post-18 education.
Parent Zone
Save the Date!
You are warmly invited to the Art and Design Technology Showcase.
Tuesday 08 July 2025, 18:00-19:30 at The Richmond upon Thames School
Come and see the fantastic work created by our talented students at RTS.
More details to come!
Check you and your family are fully vaccinated before travelling this summer
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reporting a recent rise in measles cases in London. Globally, cases have also increased, including in Europe. This means that travelling for holidays or to visit family this summer, may increase your risk of catching measles and becoming ill during or after travel if you are not fully vaccinated.
Anyone travelling for summer holidays or to visit family, especially parents of young children, are advised to check that all members of their family have received 2 doses of the Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Other travel-related vaccines may be needed depending on your destination.
For more information see the following resources:
Friends of RTS (FoRTS)
Pre-loved uniform: upcoming sales for your dairy
20 June (TODAY):
14:30-16:00 in RTS Atrium - entrance via main school entrance only
12 July (Saturday):
11:00-15:00 at Chase Bridge Primary School Summer Fair: Kneller Rd, Twickenham TW2 7DE
Please pay by card wherever possible but we will 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 £944.00
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 Jason & Somi (Treasurers)
General: forts@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Safeguarding
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)
Terms Dates 2024-2025
Full-term dates and Inset day information is available on the school's website:
Summer Term 2: Monday 02 June-Friday 11 July (noon)
Parent Calendar Summary
Please find the Parent Calendar Summary for 2024-2025. Please check this regularly as some dates and times may be adjusted throughout the year.
Local News - Please note RTS does not endorse items included as Local News
Church Street Tug of War - Today (Friday!!!)
Bring the energy and join our Tug of War tournament right on Church Street!
- It’s not too late to enter a team
- All ages and abilities welcome
- Mixed-gender teams only
- Great for clubs, schools, sports teams and social groups
To register your team, email: eelpie.twickenham@hall-woodhouse.com - Let us know your team name – costumes and chants welcome!
Mega Skip Day - Teddington - Saturday 21 June
The mega skip next Saturday 21 June will be placed in your community on Down Rd, Teddington, (adjacent to St Mark’s Church), from 9am to 12pm (or until the skips are full – whichever comes first). Residents can bring along up to six items (including furniture or mattresses, electrical appliances, black bags, etc). Items are then recycled. Any furniture that’s brought and still in good condition is taken by local charity Richmond Furniture Scheme, who upcycle second-hand furniture and sell on for a discount.
E-flyer with relevant info attached! Residents can also refer to our website for further information about what can and can’t be brought.
Art House Open Studios
Last chance this weekend to visit all the venues open to the public!
Over 50 artists will be opening up their homes and studios this weekend for you to explore.
Arts Richmond has coordinated the borough’s open studios festival, Art House, for 2025.
The festival gives visitors a chance to explore our artistic community and engage with artists, designers & makers from all corners of the borough.
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June
11 am - 5 pm daily
Lots of the venues will be holding special events and demonstrations, and it’s all free.
You can grab a brochure at your local library or download it via the link
Charity Summer Fete
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is holding a Charity Summer Fete - taking place on Sunday, 22nd June 2025 12-4pm.
This free public event is being held to raise vital funds for the hospital’s services and promises a fun-filled day with a variety of exciting activities and entertainment for all ages. We’ve attached a poster and the full entertainment line-up for your reference.
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, West Hill, Putney, London SW15 3SW
Marzamemi Festival
Marzamemi Festival is back for its 2nd instalment on 5th and 6th July 2025 on Old Deer Park, Richmond.
2025 will be bigger and better, here is the line up:
- Epic line up of Italian food & drink
- Packed line up of chef live demos
- Lots of fun live music & DJ's all day
- Curated shopping tents with homeware, fashion, artisan brands
- Creative workshops for kids & adults (pasta making, embroidery, ceramic painting)
- Access to FREE kids entertainment (Giggle Company shows, inflatable fun, little beach, cinema, disco, football drills, lawn games, art & craft table, gelato, granita, popcorn & vintage sweet stall)
- Our GIOIA beauty tent (blow drys by Blo Bar, chair massages & festival glam)
- Super! Space with x3 free drinks & nibbles more live music & premium seating
London Irish Under 14s
London Irish are starting up pre-season training for the soon to be under 14 age group (current year 8 boys). We are opening this up to local schools to any players (all abilities) who would like to come down and experience the club or just to play a bit of Rugby with like-minded boys. There is no cost involved for any of the pre-season training across July & August.
Sparks Film School
I'm Nathan from Sparks Film School, where we teach young people the art of filmmaking and animation! We're now enrolling for our Summer Holiday Camps in Ealing, Richmond, Teddington and Wimbledon. These are hands-on, creative workshops where students direct, film and edit their own movies with guidance from professional filmmakers.
You can find more at www.sparksarts.co.uk, and I’m happy to answer any questions via email at nathan@sparksarts.co.uk or phone 07857 254036.
Barracudas Summer Camps
1. Summer Competition – Design an Activity & Win Big!
We’re inviting children to get creative and design a brand-new summer camp activity for Barracudas!
The winning entry will receive:
- £250 donation to your school
- A FREE WEEK at Barracudas summer camp
- An exclusive Mini Billy toy
Their activity could be a twist on a summer classic, inspired by sunshine and outdoor fun, or an entirely original idea we can bring to life at camp! Entries should be emailed to fun@barracudas.co.uk by 16th June and we’ll announce the winner on 19th June.
A digital flyer and social media graphic are attached—perfect for newsletters or classroom noticeboards! Here are the full details: https://www.barracudas.co.uk/blog/design-your-barracudas-summer-camp-activity-to-win-big/
2. Summer Camp Discounts – Just for Your School Community
With places filling quickly, now’s the perfect time to remind you about our exclusive school discounts. We’ve attached a handy flyer for you to read —spaces won’t last long!
Competition Time!
Discounts!
10% discount on local children’s holiday camps
Yellow Days is a new marketplace for parents to book holiday camps for their children.
Choose from any of the camps listed below on Yellow Days - a new children’s activity marketplace - using discount code SUMMER10 - valid until 30th June.
For more information on Yellow Days visit https://yellowdays.com
ChatHealth
The CLCH school nursing service in Richmond is offering young people aged 5-19 and their parents and carers a new way to contact and get support from school nurse via a text messaging app ChatHealth.
ChatHealth offers confidential help and advice about a range of health concerns, including emotional health, sexual health, relationships, alcohol and drugs and bullying.
When a message is sent to the ChatHealth number, an automated reply confirms the message has been received. A trained healthcare professional will reply to the message during office hours within 24 working hours of receiving the message.
Winfilda Oyo-Ita, the Clinical Lead for the 0-19 service in Richmond said; “We’re delighted that we’re able to offer ChatHealth to young people, parents and carers in our local community as it provides more flexibility for them to access information and advice directly from our school nursing team that doesn’t rely on an appointment in-person.”
The service is already provided by CLCH in Hertfordshire and has been widely implemented at several NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations across the UK.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtSV7g1_fKA for more information.