RTS Parents' Newsletter

As we enter the last full week of Autumn Term, I wanted to thank you all for your continued support. Your attendance at Parent's Evenings, Head Teacher's Surgery, Parent Forums; and Awards Ceremonies, your support with trips, visits, sporting fixtures; and much more, really does enable use to build strong relationships with you and to engage with you and your child(ren) on a deeper level. The communication that we have with you is vital and, in a busy world, we understand that there are many demands on your time - so thank you for spending some of that time with us.

We are looking forward to celebrating with the students over the next few days and recognising their achievements during assemblies.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

• Monday 11 December: Years 7-11 - Nasal Flu Vaccinations (only for students whose parents/carers have given consent. This event is run by the Richmond School Immunisation Team. If you have any questions about the immunisation please contact them directly via HRCH.ImmunisationTeamMailbox@nhs.net / 0203 691 1019
• Friday 15 December: Christmas Jumper Day
• Tuesday 19 December: Christmas Lunch
• Tuesday 19 December: FoRTS Christmas Fair & RTS Creative Showcase, 18:00-20:00
• Wednesday 20 December: Last Day of Term, early finish at 12 noon

• Christmas Trees

The Christmas trees are up (we have three - Assembly Hall, School Reception and the Atrium Lobby)! We are loving the homemade decorations that have been donated this year - these biscuits smell amazing! We could have a future 'Bake Off' champion right here at RTS! Thank you for your donations - we are happy to receive more decorations if you have them!

• Christmas Jumper Day

This will take place on Friday 15 December in support of Save the Children. Students may either donate via ParentPay or the RTS Just Giving page. We understand that not everyone is able to donate, but we want everyone to feel that they can join in. Donations can be anonymous and there is no minimum. Students will need to wear their normal school/PE uniform (as appropriate for their timetable), with a Christmas Jumper in place of their RTS jumpers/RTS mid-layers.

• Christmas Dinner

This will be held on Tuesday 19 December with Clarendon and Capella House Schools. Orders are now closed. Thank you for your support. If your child is not having Christmas Dinner, please send them in with a packed lunch as there will be limited alternatives available to students, and only at break time.

• Winter Fair and Creative Arts Showcase

You are cordially invited to celebrate our students' success, and the end of term, at our Winter Fair and Creative Arts Showcase.

Come along from 18.00-20.00 on Tuesday 19 December to view the Art and DT Exhibition, watch music and cabaret performances, purchase FoRTS refreshments and peruse House stalls; all whilst raising money for Save the Children.

New Sixth Form at RTS starting September 2024

The Richmond upon Thames School and Richmond upon Thames College have announced a ground-breaking proposal to establish an innovative and new Sixth Form Plus, enrolling from September 2024.

At RTS-Sixth-Form-Plus, we offer an extensive range of A-levels, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeships. Whether you're passionate about the sciences, interested in the arts, or looking to pursue vocational courses, our diverse curriculum ensures that all interests and career paths are catered for.

How to apply

If you're interested in applying, please speak to your Head of Year, or Head of Sixth Form, Ms Carrick-Steele.

Sixth Form Open Evening

Don't miss out on our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 24 January 2024.

Parents/carers are invited to sign up for a presentation and curriculum tour throughout the evening between 17.00 - 18.30. Stay tuned for more details soon.

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: Last Day of Term is Wednesday 20 December 2023, finish at 12 noon

• Spring Term 1: First Day of Term is Monday 08 January, late start at 09:45

If you wish to contact the school, the School Office is open (term time only):

• Monday-Thursday - 08:15-16:30

• Friday - 08:15-15:00

Please use the Parents Communications Summary for guidance on types of queries and where advice may be found/who to direct your query to.

Email: info@rts.richmond.sch.uk
Website: https://www.richmonduponthamesschool.org.uk/
Location: Egerton Road, Twickenham TW2 7SL, UK
Phone: 0208 891 2985

PTA volunteering opportunities

If you would like to be part of the fundraising team please email fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk

We cannot function unless we have a pool of volunteers. All money raised goes to the full benefit of the RTS pupils through enhanced enrichment opportunities.

Pre-loved uniform

If you have any uniform donations please ask your child to drop them off at reception when they enter school.

Rugby Parking

Marshalling the school car park on rugby and event days is the biggest money maker for FoRTS. If you are interested in joining the marshalling team’s Whatsapp group please email Rob on fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Your FoRTS team,

Carmelle (Chair and Acting Secretary) and Jason / Somi (co-Treasurers)

Secretary: fortssecretary@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Parking: fortsparking@rts.richmond.sch.uk

Voluntary donations: Peoples Fundraising

Schooldays & Just Dancing (Whitton High Street) have been given some pre-loved senior boys trousers from a film production company - who have asked them to donate the trousers to local children.
There is a limited stock of FREE pre-loved senior boys trousers available on a first come first served basis.

Supporting the mental health of children and young people in your school community.

KoothTalks webinar for parents and carers:

• Support for young people experiencing anxiety or stress this winter
  • Thurs 14 Dec, 6-7pm

On Saturday 16 December Richmond women are playing at home! They are hosting an event aimed at growing girls rugby in the local area.

It isn't about poaching players to come and play at Richmond. It’s just about getting women’s rugby out there and getting girls involved in watching and seeing what’s around! For example, a Q&A with players, and much more.

YOUTH THEATRE GROUP (13-18 Years)
Twickenham

Historically our youth casts have performed the JR versions....we think they are ready for something bigger and tastier to stick their teeth into! It's Charlie & The Chocolate Factory!

Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score which also cleverly pays homage to the original film classics such as "Candy Man," "I've Got a Golden Ticket," and the "Oompa Loompa Song,". This crowd-pleasing, outrageous musical has both a longer performance time and plenty of delicious parts.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a truly a golden ticket for our youth theatre to perform at Hampton Hill Theatre!

Find out more about this scrumptious production and sign up here:
https://manage.myregistersplus.com/studentapplication_form/student-application-full.php?cd=264547&id=90

Winter clubs via the FUEL Programme are now available to book from AfC's Local Offer website.

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