RTS Parents' Newsletter

Like most people I suspect, I cannot believe that it is December! However, the weather is certainly matching the start of meteorological winter with these frosty mornings and below freezing temperatures. We have already accumulated a selection of coats in Lost Property, please ensure that all belongings are named so that they can be returned to rightful owners.

Year 11 students will have finished their second set of mock exams this week and I am sure that they will be relieved and will be looking forward to their Ice Skating reward next week. They should be proud of themselves and their effort - we are.

Elsewhere around school all of the year groups have a busy time ahead over the next couple of weeks - festive activities, assignments, theatre trips; alongside their normal learning.

Wishing you a lovely weekend - stay warm!

~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher

The Year 8 Boys Rugby team went over to St James' School on Tuesday to take part in the Middlesex County Tournament. The team played fantastically well in very cold conditions and came second in their group. This advanced them into the Plate competition. This final round of games saw the boys demonstrate great effort and determination against strong teams. Overall the team came fourth in the Plate competition - really well done to all of the teams involved and to this team of Year 8 students: Jacob, Devan, Eric, Ted, Callum, George, Ben, Devraj, Henry, Charlie, Dorian, Josh, Jake, Joseph and Stanley.

Year 9 students are undertaking a STEM challenge in DT this year - this is just one of the fantastic designs that students have been working on. With two more lessons to go, this student has made incredible progress and has virtually completed her challenge.

• Tuesday 05 December: Year 11 - Ice Skating
• Thursday 07 December: Year 11 - Mock MFL Oral Exams
• Monday 11 December: Years 7-11 - Nasal Flu Vaccinations
• 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 Tree Baubles

Don't forget to remind students to bring in their baubles to decorate our Christmas Tree (see last week's newsletter for details.

• Christmas Jumper Day

This will take place on Friday 15 December in support of Save the Children.

• Christmas Dinner

This will be held on Tuesday 19 December with Clarendon and Capella House Schools. Please ensure you have placed your child's order and paid via Parent Pay by the deadline so we can order in correct quantities and put the sprouts on!

• 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.

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

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

KoothTalks webinar for parents and carers:

• How Kooth promotes and supports staying safe online
  • Mon 6 Nov, 12-1pm or 6-7pm

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

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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