RTS Parents' Newsletter
27 June 2025
Head Teacher's Message
We enjoyed a wonderful evening on Tuesday celebrating the graduation of our Year 11, 2020-2025 cohort. Without focusing on it too much, this was the Year 6 group who did not sit SATS, had no Year 6 leaving celebrations, had no Year7 transition events, started secondary school wearing masks, experienced online learning; and had restricted contact with peers and friends.
It was therefore a privilege to welcome their families in celebrating this wonderful group of students, their accomplishments and growth whilst at RTS; and to send them off in style.
Thank you to staff for putting on an incredible event. The new RTS Sports Building was transformed and students and families all looked wonderful. Emotions were high as students recited the RTS Haka one last time and Katie's valedictorian speech was moving and heartfelt: 'I have learnt lessons I will use for the rest of my life' and 'follow your own exciting path - yours and no one else's'. We were, and are, incredibly proud of Katie and the entire 2025 cohort. We wholeheartedly agree with Katie's parting words - 'enjoy the longest and most amazing summer of your lives'.
~Ms K Dooley | Head Teacher
Excellence Through Endeavour
Congratulations to Luca C., Lewis, Julia and Elise who represented RTS at the annual Poetry Live competition at St Mary's University. They performed their poems in French and Spanish with such confidence!
Spotlight On
Following on from sessions for KS4, this term, our KS3 students also took part in an engaging and informative session delivered by HMRC on the topic of Tax Facts. The workshop helped students understand how tax works, why it matters, and how it affects everyday life. It was a valuable opportunity for our young learners to build financial awareness and develop a greater understanding of real-world responsibilities.
Parent Zone
Pre-loved Uniform
If any families in other year groups are looking to donate good quality items of uniform, please bring them into reception. Thank you for your support and generosity.
Friends of RTS (FoRTS)
Farewell and New Beginnings in the FoRTS Team
As our Year 11 students prepare to move on, we bid a fond farewell to three incredible members of our FoRTS community: Brad Fisher, Jason Noble, and Somi Montazei.
Brad has been with us since the school’s inception and has been instrumental in supporting our car parking initiatives—most recently serving as co-Lead of the FoRTS volunteer team. Jason and Somi, who co-led FoRTS Finance, have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every penny raised has been carefully managed and well spent.
Their dedication, energy, and generosity have made a real difference, and on behalf of the whole community, I want to thank them for everything they’ve done. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you.
Looking ahead, we’re delighted to welcome Pino Rocco to the FoRTS leadership team as our new Finance Lead. Pino, whose daughter is in Year 9, brings great enthusiasm and we’re excited to have him onboard.
If you’d like to learn more about FoRTS or are curious about joining our lovely team, click here or email me at the address below and I’ll get in touch with you directly.
All the best to Brad, Jason and Somi.
Regards Carmelle (Chair & Acting Secretary FoRTS)
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Pre-loved uniform: upcoming sales for your dairy
12 July (Saturday):
11am-3pm at Chase Bridge Primary School: Kneller Rd, Twickenham TW2 7DE
All are welcome as this is a local community event.
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 £950.00
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 Pino (Treasurer)
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
Chalk on Church Street – Saturday 28th June (from 12pm)
We’re transforming the whole street into a giant chalk canvas for the day!
- Free, fun and creative – perfect for students, young artists, art clubs and families
- We’d love your group to join in and chalk up something brilliant
- Budding or experienced artists are especially encouraged to come down and make their mark
You can either drop in or let us know in advance (by replying to this email) if you’d like to reserve a larger space for your school or group.
We’d be thrilled to see your team, club or class take part and show what you’re all about – whether through strength on the rope or creativity on the pavement!
Thanks so much for being part of the community, and we hope to see you on Church Street soon.
Coffee Morning - Dyslexia Association - Friday 04 July
The Richmond Dyslexia Association is hosting a coffee morning for parents of children with dyslexia. We offer advice and support from local parents and specialist teachers. All are welcome.
If you have any questions please contact Sophie on 07495 648025.
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 - Pre-season Training
I am one of the coaches at London Irish. We 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.
Fairer access with a concession Richmond card
Benefits of this card include:
- Save on swimming and gym sessions
- Free general swim sessions for children
- 40% discount on junior coached activities
T&C's apply
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!
Thank you!
Competition Time!
Discounts!
SEND Support Team
The Pre and Post Diagnosis SEND Support Team would like to share their current timetable and an invitation to a coffee morning to those parents with children that have a SEND diagnosis or are waiting for an assessment. Full details on the Support Service can be found here.
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.