The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

Burnt- you're talk of the town !!!
Somelikeithot - maybe just maybe I have inside contacts !!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I said I would disappear gracefully but can't let the last post from Hott go unchallenged. How have I belittled anyone's choices. I am a Whitgift parent trying to do the best for their DS, but was simply giving my views of actual life at the school and some of the issues you will face.

As for Kylep and inconsistencies, not sure what you have spotted, but for us existing W parents the one person whose activity on here that we talk about at the school gate is the musings of BurntOutDad, his DS had the perfect ride through the Whitgift admissions process and whose writing style seems remarkably similar to a well known member of staff at Whitgift - coincidence?

Well obviously everyone wants to remain Anonymous but you insulting my post and who I claim to be just not on if you think you've made the right choice then GOOD for you I am perfectly happy with my ds and his new school but thought I would just share my info which btw seems to be true after all these long discussions I however do have more but will keep it to myself don't want another rage !!! However I did a lot of research and to my knowledge all has been spot on good luck to all

April to July of this year only As part of his sabatical He has been awarded a scholarship by Goldsmiths to do research into the graduate recruitment process in large companies plus spending time working with some large companies looking at their graduate recruitment process.
He will then obviously bring all this knowledge back to T and develop appropriate strategies in school to help develop students in their final years.

Ref the other point , yes, a lot of activities and homework, but they do try and instill good studying methods and strategies and organisationsal skills. It is a shock at first but my Ds is a changeling now ( is this organized child really my Ds !) got to wear them out to use up all the testosterone seems to be the general philosophy !

Found this folks....
"So in the Summer Term 2013, from April 15th until July 15th, Mr Bishop will be on sabbatical leave. During his absence Mr Joe McKee, the Deputy Headmaster, who for the last 6 years has been responsible for the day to day running of the school, will be the Acting Head. "

letter

The sabbatical is in the summer term and to before any of you miscreants start your life as T parents :)

Get me out -- we all thought it was 1 year , 3 months not so bad thanks

I think the sabatical is only for 3 months and is an academic break to do some research and then he has signed a long term commitment to be Head Master until he retires which I think is 10 more years ? We did all get a letter about it and I think it is all very positive in the long term. So T people relax again

As for somelikeithots comments I've been BUSY but back I was just posting what I've heard I didn't anticipate this. !!!
The headmaster is off on a sabbatical next year GREAT , apparently some boys don't get enough activities to do due to too much homework so it's not all hunky dory at T

burntout exactly. The info is out there. Everyone here has made the right choice - lets just enjoy ourselves now.

God some long discussions busy at work today , so unable to contribute I've had a negative comment about T ( oh yes ) !!!

kylep - come on now, we could probably wheel out someone from T that would make the same kind of comments and make those at W feel they had made the right choice too (which we have of course!).

Cinder - thanks that's made me realise it was the right decision my ds is going to trinity

croydonmumtods - and then I may also be yelling out to croydon mums to come over for wine!! I suspect we'll REALLY add to the diversity. Can you imagine the horror stories next year's thread will hear?

nothingyummymum -- thank you for welcoming.

I have no regret. In fact, we didn't have a choice. DS has very good math, but really low English mark. As these days most overseas boys whether on parent work assignment or genuinely on alone for boarding come here with very good English, it was very difficult for us to get a place at a "reputable" school.

Quite relieved now, but only additional finance matters! Not all overseas boarders are rich... Heard they start with about 50 boarders for now, half of full capacity. My DS will enjoy double spaces in the meantime! I am sure they will take good care of new boarders.

nothingyummy sounds like we have so much in common! LOL

fondofuk - just wanted to say congratulations on your decision - and welcome to the 2013 intake.

Another feature to recognise me by is that I'll have no hair left in September. And I may be clutching a bottle.. going around offering random dads beer and curry.

Yes well said burntoutdad everyone's experience of any school will be different and there will always be gripes and moans. Most parents will be oblivious to this if their ds is happy and if like me you take school gate gossip with a shovel of salt all will be well.
Bring on the beer and curry specially for BOD.

Awww thank you Kimalima - there should be beer & curry smileys for us dads!

Burntoutdad was looking for the 'Like' button. So will give you flowers, wine and biscuits instead , , .

Hooray... let calm be restored.

Lfs2126 From my understanding, League tables are still published for all GCSE's by the Local Education Authority. It is the A Level ones that the Whitgift foundation have extracted themselves from. www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/secondary/12/html/306.stm

My friend's son at W had to sit ONE exam as Croydon College. Not all just the ONE. Various reasons around it but it happened. FACT.

Likewise as Burntoutdad flagged if you don't make the grades for A Levels you may be asked to leave.

Accusations of sour grapes are really very unfair. I think folks are trying to portray a realistic scenario. Likewise I have a very fair knowledge of T, by talking to colleagues and friends whose DC's attend. Not all good but would it affect my decision, no.

Shazoom, personally I thank you for your honesty.

As others have said - not one post where 'negative' points have been raised did anyone say that their DS's were not happy at the school. To me that speaks volumes.

Sorry for the rant , I just couldn't keep quiet.

interesting article here on W and its mix of pupils

www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/yoursay/schools/10037929.MR_PAUL_WILSON_____I_FIND_THERE_IS_SOME_BIAS_TOWARDS_SPORT_AT_WHITGIFT_____INTERVIEW_BY_SAMUEL_HERMAN_WILSON/

All - Stop stressing and embrace your decision, move forwards positively and remember the reasons you chose the school. Oh and make sure your Ds works hard enough to get the grades required. If he is not doing so well here imagine how well he would have done in the local state which could have been more of a challenge (those where state was an option) or grammars where the same practise must go on, or other schools were the intake is so bright they don't have to worry about it.
Cmon guys we have heard from 2 slightly disgruntled parents (appreciate the advice) out of how many, and its more likely that people put 'pen to paper' when complaining than otherwise. I don't even think that the advice given is particularly eye opening either.
I think that there has obviously been a drop in resources to cater for the new boarding house, but I think it will settle and fees do not necessarily have to rise by those amounts once the fees from boarding are incorporated.

Simply trying to be rational and helpful (!) and convey the real feelings and emotions of Whitgift parents.....no sour grapes or agenda from me.

I will leave the thread and and casually observe from a distance.