Have we got a year 7 support thread this year?

[KangarooLady]

Hi all! DD1 is starting secondary this year! She's very nervous about the travel (train and bus) but definitely looking forward to it . Any other new year 7s?

[WeakandWobbly]

Yes, my DD is starting in September. Only girl from her primary school. No nerves yet, just thrilled to be going to her "dream school"!! Although she visited almost a year ago, so she's forgotten what it looks like 😁

[MinnieSquidge]

My eldest is starting Secondary this year. Very thankful that he's going to the outstanding school that's a 5 min walk away, so no public transport. He's not at all phased by transitioning as the vast majority of his 1 form entry school are also going. Not sure he realises how much bigger it'll be. But pleased that he's looking forward to it.

[MumNorthLondonJB]

Joining in! We are in the same position as @WeakandWobbly
my dd is itching to make some new friends.

[Bokky]

Yep! DD starts in September too. Already had panics over which bags, shoes and coat to buy. She only has a couple of others going from her primary so she's anxious about that but also looking forward to making new friends 🤞🏻

[BrandNewShinyThings]

Yes, DS is starting, he'll be going to the school that his older brother has just left. He's a bit anxious as he has no friends in his tutor group and it sounds as if they will mostly be in that group for lessons. Trying to be positive and see it as a fresh start.

[1stMrsF]

My DTDs are going into Year 7. Their school is lovely and they were very excited to be going there when we found out. I'm a bit more anxious for them than I expected to be because of the disruption to their final Year 6 term. They can both be anxious about new situations, which has been exacerbated by the extended period at home during lockdown. They are in different classes, same for Year 6 but in the same bubble from 1 June, so that'll be different again too.

We are sorting uniform and shoes etc this week, which will hopefully make it more real and help us prepare positively. I just hope they can settle and make new friends before any further disruption. They found home leaning v difficult.

[KangarooLady]

Going shopping today with DD for shoes, uniform ect. Definitely not looking forward to the payment-the school has quite unusual uniform and I've heard it's sold very expensively . Hopefully it won't be too pricey !

[WeakandWobbly]

I know what you mean @KangarooLady we didn't get any change fron £450 with shoes!! 😳

[Eccle80]

My eldest is also starting year 7. He has chosen a school in the next town where he doesn’t know anyone, as he didn’t like our catchment high and he really liked this one. I am quite anxious how it will go!

Just about got all the uniform including the very expensive blazer!

He was going to get the train but timetable is currently limited so doesn’t work that well, I think we will try and drive him at least initially in current circumstances, as with DH mainly working at home it is just about manageable

[KangarooLady]

Just back from shopping and a sneaky Macdonald's . All in all it came to just over £300(gulp). When we got back her dad and some of the farmhands had started harvesting and she was not happy! She, DD2 and DS really enjoy harvest time, especially watching the combines as we live on a farm

[JoyceByersWasRight]

My Only, DD, is starting September too. She's had a rocky time in year 5 - changed schools, and going to a school where she will be only 1 of 3 girls she knows from her old school. Think she's looking forward to it, but she's anxious too. Luckily don't have to get transport as it's about a 35-40 minute walk. Only shame is they'll be doing reduced hours and no after school activities due to Covid. God I hope she likes it. I think she liked the school better than we did when we visited. It was a bit stuffy for me but she liked it. I think she thinks it'll be like Cackles Academy! She's already packed her bag with all her new stationary!

[KangarooLady]

@JoyceByersWasRight-you have an organised DD! Mine hasn't even touched all her new merchandise since we got home

[JoyceByersWasRight]

@KangarooLady

Yes, shame the same can’t be said of the Year 7 prep book, untouched by human hand!

[KangarooLady]

When are all the DC starting? DD starts on the third

[Eccle80]

3rd here too

[WeakandWobbly]

2nd here!

[iamthankful]

DS starts 9th

[JoyceByersWasRight]

3rd here. Will your DC be travelling alone or are you taking them? My DD is keen to go alone!

[WeakandWobbly]

@JoyceByersWasRight just found out DD has got a bus space. The school had originally suggested from a covid viewpoint that we should all drive them to school to increase social distancing. However, knowing what the traffic chaos up at the school is like, we'll opt for the bus! DD is fine with that-- the bus stop is 5min walk away from our house.

[KangarooLady]

@JoyceByersWasRight, my DD is getting to the train station on the bus and her friend will get on at the next station

[TheyThoughtItWasAllOver]

DS is my oldest and starts Year 7 on 2nd Sept. He's so excited, bless him.
He only has 3 other children going from his school but they've put one in the same class, so he'll have a familiar face.
Gosh the uniform - why so many bits of school sports kit?! Three different pairs of shoes too
He was going to do a mix of being driven (DH works there) and bus for independence, but for now we will stick with lifts and he will have to find something to do if DH has a meeting or something!

[GirlsonFilm]

My eldest dd starts at secondary school on 9th Sept. She's going from a tiny village school (less than 30 children), to a huge school with 1800 pupils, the only other child from her primary will be in her tutor group.

We've been to get the uniform today; we've also more pe kit than actual uniform.

She seems pretty laid back about it (it's just me that is fretting!).

[GirlsonFilm]

We'll be dropping my dd off at the bus stop and she'll get the bus alone from there.

[JoyceByersWasRight]

Glad to hear everyone is sorted for travel. I wondered how Covid would affect public transport to schools and if this might mean ‘full’ buses and longer travel times.

Wow , Girlsonfilm; your DD has a mighty big change ahead, but sounds like she’s not phased at all. My DD varies between wishing she was still at Primary and chomping at the bit counting the days to stating secondary. I am a bit sad that it won’t be a full school day for her due to Covid, (which will probably mean more homework), and that there won’t be any clubs - dance, drama, choir etc. All the fun stuff is on hold sadly.

[Bokky]

DD goes on Friday 4th - only Y7's are in that day and the school are treating it as their transition day, which she is pleased about.

We're now just waiting for the official stuff coming through next week about the routines, adjusted start/finish times and buses, etc. I'm a teacher so can't be off on her first day but DH has booked a day's holiday to make sure she gets to where she needs to be - be it straight to school or the bus, if it's running that day - and she makes it home too!

We have all the uniform and she's just tried it on today. I shed a little tear - in fact I was sobbing! She looked so grown up. Not sure I'm ready for it!