The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

maybe they are not overloading the L1 boys with club info yet as so much else to take in and the clubs and any trials will happen after Lake Garda in any case

Think I'm going to pack everything for ds tomorrow (except perhaps the track suit...) - white games kit, rugby kit, jammers...oh hang on does that mean I need to pack a towel as well?

No idea about trials but guess this info will be on noticeboards etc? Agree it's weird not to be spoonfed info about clubs etc! Did get the bit of paper about the Garda blog though, which seems a great idea.

kits for swimming and gym induction tomorrow - not heard about that but may well be true! DS just going with games kit though. you are right it's a lot to carry. at least we get a week off next week although need to pack for LG now and they have to be able to carry that too!!

Mine went to the gym after school. They were most annoyed that they were not allowed to lift weights. They had a fine time on the bikes and treadmill.
Does anyone know when the U11 Rugby trials are?

I would suggest packing everything until you are certain. It is a rite of passage that the younger ones have to look like packmules for the first month. But games staff like to have the options to move things around, especially in the first couple of weeks.

TCoB - thanks for the info! Will encourage DS to check noticeboards tomorrow. He would be devastated to miss out on football try-outs. So different from being spoon-fed info at Primary! DS has reported that he may need entire sports kit tomorrow due to Games in pm, potential gym induction that was moved from today and a rumour about swimming from others in his form too! Im sure this cant be the case??! Wanted to avoid overloading him as he has a long journey in, but so confused now I think best to pack everything!

Hi AllNewToUs -I think as long as it's specified for all, lower school or U11 general you can turn up no prior experience required - they may well take a register of those who attend but I am pretty sure there is no pre-registration. My DS (who enjoyed his first day btw but was completely exhausted) was worried that he would miss the football trials as these had been mentioned to them yesterday apparently but he didn't know when they were. I think they have to look and listen out for these type of ad hoc things or look on the notice board. I know from other pupils last year in lower school that their tutors have meetings with them to keep an eye on their club attendances, and find out what they are up to as some do too much and some too little, and they want to encourage a balance of the types of clubs attended

Does anyone know how signing up for extra-curricular clubs works at W? My ds seems to think you can just turn up to whatever you like, but I thought there must be some kind if registration process - and also wondered if some sports related clubs were only open to those with a certain level of prior experience? I know L1 won't be starting until after Italy trip but if anyone has any (second hand/unofficial) info on this it would be helpful! :) Hope all have had a good 2nd day!

Glad to hear it all went well for you (and ds!) suz - hope he continues to have a fab time at T.

Can't say that my ds came out looking impeccable, though - his blazer was covered in...something! But he was buzzing, absolutely loved it. Am so relieved after a genuine wobble this morning (me, not him)... Here's to the next eight years!

Hope all the boys got on well today. I couldn't believe my little JBug came out looking as impeccable as when he went in. Full on start with homework tonight, various sports kits to organise and a whole heap of new rules and regs. What a journey we and our sons have been on. Time to break open the wine and toast new beginnings x

Managed not to blub (openly) and remembered not to hug or kiss. DS didn't even glance back.

Thank to all the old hands and new parents for sharing their wisdom and experiences. Had it not been for this thread, DS might well have started in his swimming trunks this morning!

Well that went ok. Ds's main concern seemed to be that I would embarrass him with a big kiss (saving that for when I really need it!). Packed everything he could possibly need and hope to see it all again at the end of the day. Now to get organised for lake garda and I'm going away sat as well and dh away for 2 days. Not very well planned!

6th Form? [faints]

The new 6th Formers do always look oddly gron up and young at the same time don't they? They need to grow into their suits - metaphorically and actually!

Just back! Ds decided against PE kit in the end - there seemed to be a mix of boys with and without, and the smaller ones mainly without! So fingers crossed he's not gained himself his first detention

God, I hope he finds his classroom... Am definitely having a big old wibble now I'm home...

Ds has just gone off in his brand new suit for his first day of sixth form - he simultaneously looks really grown up and ever so young :)

And they're off... [sigh] I hate the stress of getting them out of the house in the morning!

Wibble Wibble Wibble. It is mad, I already have a DS at secondary school so it is not like it is new to me but neither the boys or myself have been able to eat breakfast-I am mainlining coffee and a ball of angst.

Well, it's finally here! Loads and loads of good wishes to every ds, hope you all have a fantastic time whether at W or T.

Right, off to feed ds, and then load him down with book bag and kit like one of burnt's donkeys .

Good luck!

Hello all, good to see that this Thread is still alive and kicking - I was following it earlier this year and just checked hoping that I might find some useful guidance and info - so pleased to see that I'm not the only one wondering about padlocks and sports kit! My DS is in L1KGM. Not sure I can totally rely on his ability to pass on all instruction and info from Form Tutor, but did get a half garbled message about padlocks and spare keys, and now it all makes sense. I bought a large combination lock on advice from Mr Mantilas at the school shop but will now go on hunt for one with keys - although I will be amazed if he he manages not to lose the key before the end of week (already needing to retrieve items from lost property left at school during induction week!!) Good luck and happy first days to all your DSs!

Glad I decided to check in here......trots off to remove PE Kit from enormo-bag. Dropping mine at a friends house at 7.20 eeeek then off to work. They will start the bus after lake Garda.
Mine were adamant that they were not allowed combination locks.

Hott, wine, fatal et al - I called the school today and was advised that DS should bring in ALL kit in sports bag (which can be kept at school in locker until needed) so some conflicting advice flying around. It wasn't made clear last week.
Ds was told that combination locks should not be used as there has been various occasions in the past (as you can imagine!) where boys have forgotten their code and then cant access the locker. Hence the key lock with spare key handed to form tutor.

what I got from Friday from DS (L1) was no need to take PE kit in first day. We will find out from timetable when we get it what the PE days are - also they will be told what the PE is so you will know what this half term their class is doing eg swimming, basketball or whatever it might be for PE so you can pack appropriately - but if it's not swimming it will just be the white kit and trainers most likely. DS says Fridays will be games day (we can check if that is right when we get the timetable) so blue rugby kit for this term - they wear the same for football training - they will be told when that is too in due course if that's their thing and they will be given a playing strip if they are selected for a football match. Don't know about padlocks but DS is going with a combination one. First day bring ruck sack with pencil case (appropriately filled!) and the term calendar, rough book and Planner they were given on Friday, plus a drink and snacks a good idea. Probably bring the valuable bag for mobile phone just in case.

Thanks Soup, that makes sense. Will send in combination lock with code and hope they accept it.

Fatal - DS could not tell me ONE thing he had been told on Friday. I'm still trying to figure out the array of valuables bags etc and what should go in where.. while yes, he's become permanently glued to his phone. I agree some basic instructions would have been helpful!

Btw, I'm completely in awe of the boys who are travelling to school independently. I'll be dropping off and picking up for the first few weeks (as clearly my work is not as important as his master's comfort!) and I'm not even sure DS will find the Big Side car park.