RTS Parents' Newsletter

Welcome back! I hope that you all had a pleasant summer but, like me, are happy to return to routine and slightly cooler temperatures. It has only been a week and half of this new Academic Year 2026-2027, but already we have achieved so much and have many more plans!

Thank you to all families who were able to attend our parent information sessions on Wednesday. It was a change of format this year - and a conscious decision to pull them all into one evening. We are happy to receive any feedback on how you felt it went and your experience so that we can continue to refine and adjust these events as necessary. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and catch up on news - and also to welcome our new cohort families officially into the RTS community.

Year 7 students themselves have started the year fantastically well and have settled in already. By all accounts that had a fantastic time at Thames Young Mariners and we will share photos and their reports in the next newsletter.

This is only a short newsletter this week - my biggest request is that you please do consider signing up to FoRTS if you can - any small amount of time that you can offer would be much appreciated.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Ms Dooley | Head Teacher

Michelle Z, Year 9, had an incredible summer. Her group competed in the British Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships at the end of July and became British Junior Rhythmic Group Champions.

Michelle trains six times a week, balancing this with normal school life. We are delighted to support her and her family in enabling Michelle to compete at this level. Congratulations to Michelle and her team!

We are also delighted to share news of Ellis N., who graduated from RTS in 2024.

He is part of the GB Junior Men's Gymnastic team and this year they successfully retained the title of European Champions that they first won in 2024. Ellis produced a brilliant high bar routine scoring 13 points, leaving floor to finish.

We love to hear from our Alumni and are incredibly proud of Ellis' achievements and dedication.

• 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.

Welcome back! We hope you and your family had a restful summer.

We at FoRTS enjoy meeting people and getting involved with the school to raise much needed funds for our children and their school.

Last year our parking team raised an incredible £29,500. This is only possible via the support of our wonderful community of volunteers.

Pre‑loved uniform sales and refreshment stalls at school events have also played a key role in providing RTS with resources needed to enrich school life for our children.

Both myself and the Treasurer will be stepping down at the end of this academic year. Please do consider joining our committee so we can continue supporting RTS with the same energy and impact — details below.

Thank you!

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.

The next pre-loved uniform sale will be on Friday 25 September, 14:30-16:00 in the Atrium. Please come in via the main entrance. 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)

Zippos Circus are visiting Twickenham this week, and we always value the opportunity to connect with the communities that welcome us during our stay.

We strongly believe that all children and young people should have access to the arts and the opportunity to experience live performance. With this in mind, we would like to offer local school children discounted tickets for our show, hopefully helping make a visit to the circus more accessible for the local community.

Please do share the below attachment with your students, parents, and staff. The discount code is ZIPPO50 which can be used when booking tickets online here https://zippos.seetickets.com/tour/zippos-circus-twickenham.

What?: Weekly Walking Football, where every session is packed with fun, fitness and friendly competition. Whether you are returning to the game or trying it for the first time, these sessions promise a lively, supportive atmosphere where you can connect with others at your own pace.

Who?: Walking Football is open to adults aged 18+ of any footballing ability or experience. Session are delivered by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust in partnership with Brentford FC.

Dates: Every Wednesday for 7 weeks, starting September 9th until 21st October

Time: 10:30–11:30

Location: Brentford FC Training Ground, 100 Jersey Road, TW5 0TP (Pitch 11)

Cost: £35 for all 7 sessions (no single‑session tickets are available)

Book on to the sessions here: https://activities.bookpebble.co.uk/activity/brentford-fc-cst-walking-football-september-to-october-hounslow-a3e27aa4-dbf7-4bac-9b4a-98733d26b025

To find out more, please email rdommett@brentfordfccst.com

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.

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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