Sixth form boarding - what have I overlooked to buy?

Hi Ifonly4 so pleased you've replied. I didn't want to derail the Y12 thread, as this is more around boarding issues specifically.
DD has a full weekend of activities to help them bond, both with the upper sixth, and tomorrow as a lower sixth group.
They don't have weekend classes but will often have extra practise if they're rehearsing for a show.

The school have been so honest with both parents and the new students, telling them they should expect a wobble, but it's hard to hold on to the bigger picture when it happens.

I hope your DD is able to keep plugging away at the friendship issues.
I'm trying to understand the set up. DDs school only has one boarding house for all the sixth form girls, a separate house for lower school girls, and a third house for boys.
So all the lower sixth girls are together, and have a kitchen and common room of their own for snacks and TV.
(At least that's what I think the set up is like)

What's the set up where your DD is?

Hi, I know the schools are back now but I wondered if we could keep this thread going for a while?
My DD is just starting her first weekend as a sixth form boarder.
It's a new school, she's a first time boarder, and has moved from the local well regarded comp to the independent sector.
The first week was good, but yesterday she had a major wobble. I think in part it's because it was my birthday and it really hit her that she was missing being at home and that the rest of the family would be out celebrating - without her.

I have exactly the opposite problem! Not a problem of course, sounds like all is OK and she is mentioning some other names so that's promising!

She's gone!

ifonly actually the school have said not to bother as there are washing machines in the houses and they do their own laundry. In any event she should be home most weekends - have just bough a laundry bag for the purpose!

Yes - really excited! She's weekly boarding so not such a huge wrench away from the nest!

Coat hangers is inspired...(adds to long list)

Thank you eledamorena that's really insightful!

I would definitely recommend own bedding if poss, as it is nice to have personal things in your room and not 'school' bedding. On this note, I also recommend printed photos or other decorative bits for sticking on the wall (they are entitled to personalise their areas so should have a pinboard if not allowed to damage the walls with blu tac etc).

If coming from a different country - electrical adaptors so they can use their stuff without waiting to borrow adaptors!

Check lists/contact staff for policy but if 6th form then probably mobile AND laptop/tablet, kindle if they use one. Other electrical bits might include hairdryer, straighteners.

Clothes - they might well spend more time in PJs/'slobby' clothes than you think, so definitely have them take more than one pair of 'cool' pyjama bottoms/trackies/nordic leggings or whatever is 'in' right now for hanging around in the evenings/weekends. Also there may be rules on not wearing tiny shorts in common areas of the house (especially if the house is co-ed) so if they wear shorts for bed it's worth having long trousers for chilling out in places other than their bedrooms!

Whatever the list says in terms of underwear, send extra, nobody likes to be on the wrong end of a slow laundry delivery (or run out because they have hoarded their dirty clothes for too long!!)

If you are unsure on casual clothes etc don't worry, the use of online shopping is rampant in most schools and the desire to fit in so great that you might find your daughters want some new things after they start - you might be better budgeting for a bit of a spree during the first term so they can buy what they really need/want, rather than over-preparing now.

Finally, be aware that storage can be a nightmare so if you are local(ish), make the most of being able to take home summery stuff at half-term and swap it for wintery stuff. Remember how much space uniform and kit will take up in their rooms before you get to their own clothes! It is a major annoyance at most schools (especially for 6th form girls!) that they have quite limited storage in their rooms.

I hope they have a fab time!!

My DD also boarding for the first time for 6th form and we haven't got a list at all!! All we've been told is bring bedding if you want (but they provide it too), 2 towels and and a desk lamp! There's no uniform to consider but I'd be interested to hear what your school has advised.