PARENT AWARENESS
Talking to Your Child About Life Online
Children’s online lives are an important part of who they are today. Whether they are watching videos, playing games, chatting with friends or exploring new interests, the online world can be fun and positive, but it can also bring challenges.
We encourage all parents and carers to have regular conversations with their child about life online, in the same way you would talk about school or friendships.
How to start the conversation?
You don’t need to be an expert in technology. What matters most is showing interest and keeping communication open. You might:
• Ask your child what they enjoy doing online
• Talk about the games, apps or videos they like
• Ask who they talk to and how those interactions make them feel
Try to listen without judgement so your child feels comfortable sharing honestly.
Topics to explore together
Depending on your child’s age, you may want to talk about:
• Being kind and respectful online
• What to do if something worries or upsets them
• Privacy and personal information
• Group chats and messaging
• Knowing when to ask a trusted adult for help
Reassure your child that they can always come to you if something doesn’t feel right online.
Keep it ongoing
Online experiences change as children grow, so these conversations work best when they are short, regular, and part of everyday life, rather than a one-off talk.
Helpful resources for parents
We recommend the Childnet “My Life Online” conversation guide, which offers age-appropriate prompts, tips, and information to support family discussions:
My Life Online – Conversation Guide
SCHOOL NEWS
RPS Fox Day
On 10 April, our school celebrated Fox Day, one of the most anticipated events of the year. The entire campus turned red as pupils, staff, and families embraced the spirit of the Fox House.
From the early morning, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and community pride. In the afternoon, Fox House pupils took part in a series of planned activities designed to foster teamwork and fun.
Families and pupils from other houses later joined, adding to the lively and inclusive celebration. Once again, the highlight of the day was our much‑loved bake sale. More than 30 homemade cakes were generously contributed by Fox families.
All proceeds were raised for charitable purposes, reflecting the strong values of our community. This year, the event collected over €450. The funds will be donated to the Vipeika Foundation to support our school in Kenya.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EYFS?
Reception Trip to “Museo Africano”
Reception children recently enjoyed an exciting visit to the Museo Africano as part of their topic, Amazing Africa. During the trip, they took part in a lively storytelling session, sparking their imagination and curiosity.
The children also explored a range of fascinating artefacts. This provided an insight into different cultures and ways of life around the world. To finish their visit, they had the opportunity to get creative by designing and making their own African masks.
It was a wonderful hands-on experience that brought their learning to life.
Tinga Tinga Art project
Children from Reception and Year 6 recently worked together to create some vibrant pieces of collaborative artwork inspired by their learning about Tinga Tinga paintings.
The project gave pupils the opportunity to explore bold colours and patterns, while also encouraging teamwork across year groups. Reception children brought their creativity and enthusiasm, while Year 6 pupils supported and guided them, helping to bring everyone’s ideas together.
Their final pieces are a wonderful celebration of their shared learning and creativity, and we are very proud of what they achieved together.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PRIMARY
Year 5 Trip to A La Par
In March, our Year 5 pupils enjoyed a fantastic trip to A La Par Huerta – an urban garden maintained by trained workers with intellectual disabilities.
The students took part in a plant hunt, where they explored and learned how different plants grow and adapt to their environments.
They also designed and decorated their own flower pots and were given seeds to plant and care for at home. It was a fun and educational day and we felt very grateful that such a wonderful space is just round the corner from our school community.
Year 6 Trip – Magic Flute
As part of their music curriculum, and as an extension of the opera project they began last year, pupils in Year 6 attended The Magic Flute, the final opera composed by W. A. Mozart. The performance was a vibrant and colourful production by the Teatro Real de Retiro, co‑produced with the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville and the Teatro Principal in Ourense.
This famous Singspiel—a German form of operetta—took the children on a journey into a world of adventure through a story rich in fantastical elements and symbolic references to initiation into a secret society. Ultimately, friendship and truth prevail, overcoming the trials that lead to a deeper understanding of reality.
In preparation for the visit, Year 6 pupils explored different aspects of Mozart’s life during previous music lessons and listened to a range of works by the Salzburg composer. They studied the story and characters of The Magic Flute, as well as the symbolism that makes this masterpiece both complex and fascinating.
Without a doubt, it was another unforgettable experience that helped to bring their exploration of the operatic genre full circle. Both students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed it.
Long live opera!
Trip Year 3 to “El Bosque Encantado”
Year 3 children enjoyed a magical day out in the Bosque Encantado. They learnt about different trees, aromatic plants and cactus plants. They also looked at clues around the forest for the existence of the fairies who lived there. Some of them got lost in the maze!
This was a fantastic opportunity to get closer to nature, the environment and enhance their imaginations.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SECONDARY
Choir Recording
Our Secondary Choir has recently been involved in an exciting recording project alongside a local Madrid band, called Analog Children. They were tasked with recording backing vocals and harmonies for a song that has recently been released on Spotify.
The students had to record their parts in sections, recording each harmony separately. They wore headphones so they could listen to the guide track and ensure that they matched both the timing and pitch of the tracks.
The recordings were then sent off to be mastered and the students were able to listen to a pre-release of the final track. They were very happy with the result and sent the band their feedback:
I like it a lot.
The little details you added and the choices you made really matched.
Thank you for choosing us!
We are very happy to be able to share the Spotify link here: Analog Children
Year 9 Local Geography Fieldwork
On Tuesday 24th March, our Year 9 students participated in Geography fieldwork in the local area. This is part of their studies about “liveable cities”. They were using a model that is used in London to assess how “Healthy and Liveable” the streets are in their local area. In groups they investigated three locations, all within five minutes of the school grounds: a local park, a residential area and the commercial centre opposite. Here they carried out an environmental quality survey, conducted a traffic and pedestrian count and interviewed local residents about their opinions on liveability in the local area.
Back in class they have been preparing for Year 10 by writing their results in the style of IGCSE coursework.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE IB CENTRE
“10 Moments” special careers programme for IB with Luis Mures
This month’s Ten Minutes Talk welcomed Luis Mures, a 26-year-old aerospace engineer, who gave students an inspiring and candid insight into his career path, from the demands of the degree to the professional experience it led him to.
The session was particularly valuable for students considering this field, who had the chance to ask questions freely and confront their expectations with real, first-hand experience. At just 26, Luis was a living example that the right choices early on can lead to a remarkable career in one of today’s most exciting industries.
The Ten Minutes Talks are one of the many ways we support our students in making informed and confident decisions about their future, and our next guest will be joining us shortly.
As an IB student, a group of friends and I recently finished our CAS project, a core part of the IB where students engage in creative, active, and service actions to develop skills beyond the classroom. Our aim was to support homeless people in our local community by collecting essential items that many of us take for granted. Before starting this project, we understood that homelessness was an issue, but we had not fully considered how small actions, such as donating basic necessities, could have a direct impact on people’s daily lives.
This project aimed to organise a donation campaign with the help of The Salvation Army, a global charitable, religious organisation that supports vulnerable people by providing food, shelter, and other essential services. Students and families contributed items like hygiene products and food, which will later be distributed with the help of the organisation.
What I found most meaningful about this project is that it goes beyond just collecting donations. It required planning, teamwork, and organisation, as we had to manage logistics and communication, ensuring that everything is distributed fairly and effectively. It has made me more aware of the importance of empathy and active service, while also helping me develop skills such as collaboration and responsibility. Overall, this experience has shown me how working together as a community can create a real and positive impact on others.
University Readiness: Key Takeaways from a Cambridge Session at the British Embassy
Our Career Advisor attended an exclusive professional development session in Madrid on 21 April
On Monday 21 April, our Career Advisor had the opportunity to attend University Readiness with Cambridge, a thought-provoking session hosted at the British Embassy in Madrid and promoted by Cambridge Assessment. The event brought together education professionals and university representatives to explore what universities are truly looking for in the students of tomorrow.
The session centred on a question that is increasingly relevant for our students: beyond academic results, what does it mean to be genuinely ready for university? Speakers highlighted that leading universities are paying growing attention to a student’s capacity for independent thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to engage critically with complex problems — qualities that go well beyond exam performance.
Key themes included the importance of developing strong communication and collaboration skills, resilience in the face of academic challenge, and a genuine passion for learning that students can articulate and demonstrate throughout the admissions process. Universities, particularly in the UK, are looking for young people who can show not just what they have achieved, but how they think.
As a school, these insights reinforce much of what we already encourage — but they also serve as a timely reminder that preparing for university is a journey that begins well before the application itself.
Screenwriter and director Arturo Ruiz Serrano visits our school
On 17 April, our 10 Moments Talk programme welcomed Arturo Ruiz Serrano — screenwriter, producer, and cinema director — for an inspiring session that gave students a candid overview of the world of cinema and the many creative paths it offers. True to the programme’s spirit of introducing students to new and diverse professional profiles, Mr Ruiz Serrano spoke openly about his career journey, shedding light on the creative and professional realities of working in film — from writing and producing to directing. Students were genuinely engaged throughout, and the Q&A that followed was lively and full of curiosity. The talk proved especially valuable for those considering degrees in the arts or creative fields, offering a rare first-hand perspective on what a career in cinema can truly look like. Our thanks go to Arturo Ruiz Serrano for sharing his time and experience so generously. We look forward to the sessions ahead.
Year 12 biology trip
Year 12 biology students recently undertook an engaging field investigation to explore how environmental factors influence biodiversity in a natural setting. As part of their study, they focused on key abiotic factors—light intensity, temperature, and pH—and examined how variations in these conditions affect the distribution and abundance of different species.
Working systematically along belt transects, students recorded observations at regular intervals, allowing them to identify patterns in species diversity across changing conditions. This method provided valuable insight into how ecosystems are structured and how organisms respond to their surroundings.
To support accurate species identification, students used a combination of traditional field guides and modern technology. A book of classification keys helped them apply scientific identification techniques, while Google Lens offered a quick and interactive way to cross-check their findings in real time.
This practical experience not only reinforced their understanding of ecological concepts but also helped develop important scientific skills, including data collection, analysis, and critical thinking. The investigation highlighted the importance of fieldwork in bringing classroom learning to life and gave students a deeper appreciation of the complexity and interdependence of natural ecosystems.
SPORTS
MATCHDAY 18 – RPS Volleyball
This weekend, we once again enjoyed another volleyball match day at Richmond Park School—one of those days that reinforces who we are as a team. Our students demonstrated effort, unity, and pride in wearing our colours.
Our Benjamín team opened the day facing Colegio Obispo Perelló, earning a great 2–1 victory. It was a match full of energy, where they showed that when they play together, they’re capable of anything.
The Alevín team went up against Colegio Claret in a very evenly matched game that was decided in the final set (a 2–1 loss). Beyond the result, they made it clear that they continue to grow and compete with increasing confidence and composure.
The infantil team played against Sagrado Corazón Chamartín in another tightly contested match that also ended 2–1 for the opponents. Even so, the team showed character, commitment, and a strong fighting spirit against a demanding rival.
To close the day, our cadete team once again demonstrated their experience and strength, securing a 2–1 victory over Decroly. It was a hard‑fought, collective match in which they stayed united during the key moments.
It was a day full of emotion, close matches, and above all, the feeling of being part of something bigger. Because every point, every effort, and every cheer from outside the court builds what it means to be Richmond Park School.
Match Report Round 1 Spring Cup (U12) – Ciudad Pegaso 20 – Richmond Park School 30
Two wins in a row
For the first time this season, the U12 team has achieved two consecutive victories after beating Ciudad Pegaso 20–30. The previous meeting against this team was at the beginning of the season, when we lost by 2 points. This time, we managed the final minutes well, especially by improving our focus and intensity.
Richmond Park School Alevín B 0–2 F.S. Halcones – Strong Performance Against Toughest Opponents So Far
Richmond Park School Alevín B opened their Copa de Primavera campaign with a competitive display against the strongest side they’ve faced this season.
Despite the 0–2 defeat, Richmond Park School Alevín B can take plenty of positives from a performance full of effort and quality. The team competed well against a very strong F.S. Halcones side, matching them for long periods of the game.
Richmond Park School created several good opportunities through some excellent passing moves, but were unable to convert, with efforts either going straight at the goalkeeper or just off target. In contrast, Halcones were clinical when their chances came.
A tough result, but an encouraging performance to build on as the group stage continues.
Richmond Park School Alevín A 1–2 EF CHA A – Unlucky Alevín A Fall Narrowly in Competitive Opener
Richmond Park School Alevín A were unfortunate not to succeed in a closely contested opening game in the Copa de Primavera.
In a tight and competitive match, they suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat despite producing a strong overall performance.
Diego scored the Richmond Park School goal, and the team created several clear chances, with Guille and Álvaro both coming close on multiple occasions. On another day, those opportunities could easily have changed the outcome.
The opposition relied on a direct and physical approach, but Richmond Park School matched them well, showing composure and quality in possession. A frustrating result, but a performance that promises positive results ahead.
Richmond Park School Alevín Girls 4–4 CD Chamartín Vergara – Eight-Goal Thriller as Girls Shine in Copa Opener
Richmond Park School Alevín Girls kicked off their Copa de Primavera campaign with an exciting, high-quality match full of attacking football.
In one of the most entertaining games of the weekend, they played out a 4–4 draw against CD Chamartín Vergara.
The girls were outstanding throughout, showing energy, creativity and determination in a game packed with chances at both ends. Ángela scored a hat-trick, while Ana added another goal, leading the attacking charge.
Despite the draw, Richmond Park School will feel unlucky not to have taken all three points after such a strong performance. A brilliant team display and a great start to the group stage.
RPS House Points
