The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

I'm a first timer here and have been following your various posts, which have been somewhat encouraging. My DS is on waiting list for W and its like the 15th of Feb all over again. Not too long now... Best wishes to all! Well done Fatal!

So pleased for you, Fatal :)

Fatal...congrats...so pleased for you.

Although I don't know any of you on this thread it is a nice feeling to rejoice at other's good news and experiences...as we all know how tough a journey this 10 and 11+ experience has been.

This thread has indeed been so encouraging and supportive for both W and T...trying to ween myself off logging on each day to find out how everyone is...but proving too difficult at the moment....!

Well done again Fatal.

Really pleased for you Fatal, and well done to your ds.

Fatal, I am soooo pleased for you-that is just fantastic news.

We decided on another school in the end, but it was very difficult to turn down T. It came down to us thinking co-ed would suit our DS better, and location, but we think T is a brilliant school and I'm sure all your boys will have a ball there (and at W). Best of luck to them all.

Im now thinking of when you tell him and re-living the moment we told our DS and the look on his face - absolutely priceless!!

Hooraaayyyy - fantastic news Fatal. The fat lady has finally sung, and a song we all wanted to hear!!!
Your DS will be sooooo chuffed after all this waiting.

Thank you everyone - I am indeed very far over the moon! Poor Mr Beck though, I very nearly cried down the phone and was definitely a bit gushy

Am so happy, ds deserves this, so proud of him!

So so pleased Fatal!! That is just brilliant news.

And can I also say that although 3 boys did get in to W from DS school last year they all deserved to. But I know of many others from other schools who didn't sadly for them. They take 60 at 10 plus and another 120 at 11 plus so the theory/rumour that everyone gets in falls down instantly on the maths alone! well over 600 sat the exams so forget that rumour and be very proud of your DC and of course yourselves! T and W are both fab schools and your boys are going to love the ride ahead!

Fatal, that's brilliant! I remember all those days waiting for the letter... and then for the bursary...And you never lost hope. You must be over the moon. I hope other parents in your situation next year find this thread and get encouraged by your story.

Oh Fatal, you have just made my day! Well done to both you and DS for your tenacity and incredible spirit. You both really deserve this. Did I just hear the joyous shriek of peacocks and the raucous flutter of purple capes?

Fatal that is absolutely brilliant news. I am so very pleased for you and DS. What a very long road it has been for you. But at least it has a really good outcome.

Well done all for all the W and T places gained this year. This thread has sometimes kept me sane, other times made me slightly more anxious but overall has meant my DH and I are still speaking and I have not driven him insane .

Am absolutely OVERJOYED to be able to announce that ds will be joining the 10+ cohort at Whitgift this September .

The school have shown an enormous amount of faith in and commitment to ds and I am still shaking! Cannot wait to get home and tell him!

Thankyou everyone for your support, am so thrilled that we'll be joining you!

Kylep - my apologies if I'm sensitive about this, but surely we can't say "everyone" got in if that was the case in one top prep school? Congratulations on your school doing so well, though. DS is in a below average state school, but does go to some clubs with prep school boys. Getting into W (he was also offered a place at another excellent indie) has been a massive boost for his self-esteem and a great achievement in our family as he'll be the first to venture into private education, let alone a really hard decision and huge financial commitment on our side. I'd imagine we're not the only ones in this position. It would be very disheartening if any of the boys at his clubs told him "everyone" got in, based on their school's results. It is clearly not true of the overall intake, as W can't possibly be offering over 900 places. And yes, I too know parents of boys in top academic sets playing sports at academy or county level who did not get W offers or are on the waiting list.

It's a rumour but true in our school everyone got in to W !! It wasn't meant to offend or take anything away from anyone or most importantly the boys who took exams

I know a few parents who would be quite offended at the rumour that "everyone" got into W - in particular the ones whose very bright and talented DC were not offered places or who are desperately awaiting movement on the waiting lists. I think DS too would be quite upset - that means all those hours preparing and the subsequent agony waiting first for the interviews and then the acceptance letter were wasted, as he could just have performed badly and gotten in?

The 11+ intake get to go on a half day watersports activity :)

DS2 was one of only 2 boys from his school who went but the only one in his class. It wasn't a problem at all. He was nervous on the New Boys/Parents morning but when I went along to meet his tutor after the parents part, he'd been with his class for that time and they were all fine with each other. I think the boy he was paired with on the very first day when they do the treasure hunt has ended up being his best friend.

The T second hand sale always has loads of stuff, and is worth a visit if only for spares!
My DS rarely wears the jumper (but prefers the Bhs one I got to the school one anyway) because he is fairly warm-blooded and still hasn't got used to having to wear his blazer all the time!
I manage to get his rugby kit washed and dried over-night when his rugby lesson is the day after training - it dries well draped over the radiator in the hall (so he remembers to re-pack it the next morning!!)
The only thing he has managed to lose so far was his (brand new) glasses. However, the lost property system seems to work very well (if everything is named) and they turned up 3 days later in the lost property office - very impressed as his primary school seem to have mislaid several sets of uniform over the years .
Zato I wouldn't worry about your DS being the only one from his school. My DS was too and soon made friends. Don't forget there will be many others in the same position. The school are very aware of this and help ease things along. I don't think the Y7 boys get the activity trip that the JBugs have, but I think they do have an activity morning away from school in their forms to help them get to know each other in a less formal atmosphere. I'm sure Soup or one of the others will be along to correct me if I'm wrong

Hott - I also know of around 6-7 boys who are at academy level football and sat W but didn't get to interview stage.
Kylep - the VR paper at W is apparently notoriously never completely finished.

fondofuk - Deadline for 12+/13+ is Wed 6th. I believe time is 5pm.
if im not being too nosey can I ask why you are waiting till the very last minute?

Evening all,

As mentioned above my DS is T 11+. I know T is holding a fun day in June and new boys start school a day early for a treasure hunt get the know other boys the school etc etc. he is very excited but very nervous as he is the only boy from his current school going to T. I still remember my first day at T and not knowing a soul. I have a couple of ideas !!

Anyone up for a fun cricket/football game in a park so boys can get to know each other before the real fun begins ?

More importantly us parents have been to hell and back during this whole process and i am so pleased its over. This is the first time in my life where i have had no control over an outcome and the waiting destroys you. So with this in mind anyone fancy a Saturday night curry and beer evening ? No idea on location but somewhere near T would make sense. Happy to go to South Croydon then we kidnap a pheasant on the way home (sorry my old Trinity roots are coming out :) :) )

Good luck all and hopefully see many of you before or during term.

David

Hello. Is there any cut off time, not date for accepting a place for W? I am holding back until last minute (13+) but dont know when is last minute! Was 11+ today?