The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

Ds had a great day yesterday and was told he'd be in the choir but not choristers! He really enjoyed the music and they suggested he play the oboe (small and portable) but he said he wanted to do cello (not so small and portable) should have had a word with him first! All very exciting and all going well so far. Anyone else in group 1?

I think there are about 60 in the Lower First altogether - 3 forms of ?20. This is only going by the numbers on the induction days list though - 52 boys listed, assuming a small number aren't attending, etc...

Ds said something about them choosing instruments and him being put down as a chorister in the music induction?? Have to say I found that most amusing...

DS was on a high last night and couldnt sleep - still awake at 10:30 even after further activities
He did football, cricket, music and swimming
Anyone figured out the forms yet? And, how many in Lower First ( getting used to this form ( vs class)talk!) in total?

DS still awake at 10:30!!! AND he had more activities after the Induction Day
he just couldn't settle as I think he was on a high!

Ds had a great day, unfortunately has come home streaming with cold and feeling a bit sorry for himself! Hopefully he'll be fine after a good night's sleep. He loved swimming and the music induction too.

woohooo! Induction day done and one very happy DS!!

Happy, exhausted boys a good day was had and new friends being made, hope everyone else had as much fun.

your ds's can count themselves lucky - when ds started the regulation school swimmers were those teeny-tiny speedos - ds is a 'proper' swimmer and even he nearly died of embarrassment! they'll have to wear the jammers for school lessons but apparently the unwritten law of swimwear dictates that you only wear them by choice if you can swim really well...

good luck for this week - the first half term is a bit full-on and your dc will be exhausted by half term but the vast majority get used to it v soon

I suspect hand and twins will instantly out me tomorrow
Yes mine will be in boardshorts- more Eric the eel than Ian Thorpe in the pool

Ahhh, thanks bb. Ds not a super swimmer so board shorts it is

Hope your hand improves soon tweenage!

Gosh this seems so long ago now - ds about to start sixth form - eek

Anyway - own clothes for induction days - seem to remember majority were wearing football strips of various premiership sides with the odd England cricket shirt or rugby top thrown into the mix

Re swimmers - it depends on whether or not your ds can swim properly - if he can, then definitely jammers if not then board shorts

Labels - everyone starts off sewing/ironing but by the time you're on the second or third PE kit because your darling son has left it on the train

No I think they wear their own clothes I have just read the letter and it says appropriate clothing and footwear. One of my Ds is in Group 2 as well Gah normal bordies or the tight little logo numbers. I dont know wibble wibble.

Hi Tweenage - I'm wibbling a bit too tbh. Garda sounds so amazing but... the nerves are kicking in . Plus my cunning plan for dropping ds to school every morning has been scuppered, gah! But it'll all be fine, I'm sure, and our boys will have a great time.

Ok, another stupid question from me (I swear I will cringe about all this in a year's time!) - I know they don't have to wear actual uniform until Friday but can I assume they should be wearing W sports kit for the induction days ( I.e. ds has swimming first thing on Tues - he might as well wear his W jammers, yes?) Sorry, I'm sure I already know the answer to this but...

God I am getting really wibbly now, neither DH or myself could go to the parents evening about Garda- both had to work. I don't know anyone and logistics of getting 10 year old to Croyden and back and working are causing sleepless nights.

Hi Fatal, I have a DS (or 2 ) starting year 6 at Whitgift I smashed my hand up and had to go down the iron on tapes so much quicker-lets see if they stand the multiple washing, I suspect I will be sewing when able. Activity week on tuesday it has come up so quickly.

Thought I'd revive the thread as I'm sitting here surrounded by school uniform and name tapes - my sewing skills have definitely not improved over the years!

Hope everyone's enjoying the holidays - guess who forgot to get school shoes? Ds is looking forward to the induction days - can't believe it's only a week and a bit until they start properly!

So - just for in case some of next year's new parents get to this point of the thread and had not been scared off: the sports course is fantastic. DS, who is hardly the next Andy Murray/Jonny Wilkinson/Lionel Messi, came out bouncing and has not stopped talking about the day's activities, the teachers and the boys he's met. I've never seen him this enthusiastic about sport. I am astonished.

Fatal - how brilliant to remember Mr Mantilas! Now why didn't I think of that.

DS went without non-marking shoes (the ones he lost..)

If he has to sit out, I reckon that will be his first real lesson in responsibility (talk about Evil mum!) I did pack lunch, but I know he's going to be upset when he can't buy a treat. Am telling myself this will all build character.. (queue nervous laughter)

That makes me feel a bit better frazzled! We had to run into the school shop as I realised last night that ds doesn't actually own any non-marking shoes... hooray for Mr Mantilas is all I can say!

I gave ds a fiver for the tuck shop on the strict instructions that it's got to last him the whole two days! Evil mummy (I did pack him lunch too though )

Fatal - had the same experience this morning dropping off at sports course! DS had no kit (in fact, he managed to lose his trainers between Friday and today and went with one pair of really old ones), I forgot to give him money for tuck shop in the ensuing fruitless shoe hunt and it all ended up in tears.

He seemed so much smaller and less sporty than anyone else. The biggest difference was between the newbies and the existing boys. I'd like to think ours will be those confident boys with the big sports bags next year!

But in all seriousness, even if they're not as sporty as some of the others, I think this is a fantastic opportunity to get a feel for the school and meet some boys.

suz742 If your DS is sporty and has played rugby before (I think this is a prerequisite) do send him along to the pre season rugby training and, subsequently, the after school training sessions as this maximises the chances of him being in a team and not overlooked.

I forgot to ask are you allowed to drive into the school grounds before and after school and are there any particular rules or tips on this?

I used to make sure I arrived by about 3:20 or so to have a very good chance of a parking spot. On the first days when it was really busy, I parked in one of the side roads (Upfield or Green Court Gardens) and walked in as it was really busy. Then I met DS1 by the basketball hoops near the boys entrance.

DS2 got the bus home with DS1 right from day 1! [evil mother]

My ds is going to T and I am very nervous as none of his friends from primary are going to T but I guess he will make new friends

DS2 had one boy from his primary going to T last year but they were in separate classes. I think he had made a Best Friend by the end of the orientation morning!