So where's this years Trinity/Whitgift/Dulwich/Alleyns Thread PART 2!!

School mum 77, 1. You will see if others wear that. 2. Just buy a school bag of black or grey, any sober colour. 3. Can be bought in other shops, black or charcoal are all fine. There is a list sent by the school on things you do not need to buy at Hewitts. I just bought the trousers yesterday at John Lewis.

Hello everyone, I'm hoping a Trinity parent maybe around to help me answer a few questions...

1. Do the boys use the PE jacket? It seems quite bulky and I'm not sure that my son would ever wear it!
2. Are the boys allowed any type and colour of school bag?
3. Are the school very strict with charcoal grey trousers? Or can I purchase them from a store other than Hewitts?

That would be a good idea, Pickof

Hi there - asking as a newbie - is there a mock 11+ worth doing as practice for whitgift - most similar in terms of time and content etc? Ie the ones done in tonbridge - appreciate they are for kent test. Am thinking my son might benefit from a trial run of sitting in a hall etc as much as anything.

Anyone else? We are planning to apply for sept 19 11+. Should I start a new thread?

Checking in with all the Whitgift new boys. We have had the uniform appointment, took my eldest along too as he is an ex Whitgiftian. The parents evening I enjoyed and my DS is looking forward to the 3 days sports activities at the end of August. Very exciting! He is starting in yr 7

I know what you mean. It's a long journey for our DS too. Initially we will drive him to train station which is only a 15min journey to south Croydon. A little round the houses for us adults though tbh. If we don't do that he will have to take two trains or a bus which is an hour. His friend is going too who lives down the road and I am checking with them about plans. It's tricky but I am sure my DS will be fine.

Thank you AveEldon for the secondhand uniform sale date. I have noted it in my diary. spacecadet, I’m still undecided about the logistics to/from the school..perhaps a public transport will be okay but it’s a long bus ride...45mins! DS may fall asleep! I’m sure we’ll make it work somehow..

snowstorm i am feeling a little anxious about my DS travelling to school too. However won't be bothering with the school bus. We did with my DD and after a week or so stopped using but we had to pay for the whole year! Once your DS settles he will meet friends and likely travel with them. With my eldest DS we helped him with his journey to W by getting up early and dropping him off at the train station. That stopped quickly once he met friends.

Whitgift Second Hand Sale - Saturday 23 June 2018, 10.30am - 12.00pm,

There are always plenty of shirts and blazers in the secondhand sale
You don't have to buy the school shop trousers but they must be dark charcoal - I got ours at M&S when they have the 20% off uniform deal

Thank you very much for sharing the information on WG uniforms. I’m budgeting a small fortune for the new uniforms...need to buy sports shoes too? hopefully I’ll find some spare PE gear in the secondhand uniform sale... I can just picture my DS losing a lot of things. I am actually scared of putting him on public transport (bus) to the school. He may fall asleep and never get to the school on time or may leave everything on a bus! I may have to pay for the school bus to start with...

Jige there is always a list of compulsory items needed for W. It's no different to my eldest DS who started in 2007. Same set up, same list and same appointment at the shop. I agree that they are strict and you must use the school bags, proper games and PE kits and no mix and match. The shop appointment and fitting is a lovely start to the DC journey at W and looking forward to DS2 having his in June.

Not sure what colour sports gear was before but my DS just started Y6 last September. There is a different kit for PE and another for games. They are strict in wearing the correct gear for each sports and the boys soon learn very quickly what and which ones to wear. You cannot wear your PE shorts for games i.e. for hockey, and most definitely not for rugby as you'll see by the shorts, they are designed not to be pulled off. Most co-curricula activities like gym, tennis etc again you can wear PE (they are called whites) but not games gear. All this will sound very confusing, and I was told by another existing parent that you never got a list of what you must buy, but W started to do this from last year and it's easy and clear. When you get your appt for your DS to get measured up it will make more sense, and the ladies in their really know their stuff.
Regarding jumpers, depends on your child and how cold they get, but even the ones who don't get cold, saw them all wearing one this year. But would buy only near the time. Sometimes boys tend to wear their base layers underneath their school uniform due to games and that keeps them warm enough and can't be seen.

We didn't bother with the jumper but the coat has been very good
Depends how hot your boy gets

They can wear the games shorts for PE but they can't wear the PE shorts for rugby (they will rip)

AveEldon agree regards the valuables bag, my DS is yet to use it, but just the other day he said he would like to use it just to have all his little bits and bobs in one bag found that quite 😂

You will get a comprehensive list of what you need to buy now before they start school together with another list of other items they/you may need together with prices against the items. If your child is sporty and is likely to play matches away then come winter he will need his over layers top and bottoms. Also school jumper and school coat not required right now but again will need come winter. I've yet to go to school shop sale but other parents have said it's handy to buy extra tie, shorts or anything else extra you need. But you only get a better sense of idea when they start school and what they use and what extra items you then need. Strongly advise that all main items get labelled with their name. School shop provide this service, I took them up on this as I'm to lazy.

ok thanks jige and ave great advise.. my son LOVES sport so have a feeling he would like the track suit. So relieved that we are not going to be presented with a massive bill for the Lake Gardia jolly. Hope your boys have been happy at W? any other insights would be very helpful...

I agree that the valuables bag is pointless

My child has never worn the tracksuit so that was a waste of time too - may depend on how much sport they do

Firefox1066 not sure when your DS went to Lake Garda, but my DS went last September. orangetiger you'll be advised of the cost of the trip but it cost £130 or £135 (can't renember exactly) last year. Spending money no more then €60 and some extra on the way and return joinery to buy food we gave our DS €20 extra. Need update passport and EHIC, double check they don't need renewing. My DS loved it, and really enjoyed the whole experience, good way to get to know the form tutors and the rest of the new boys.

One bit of advise is to get them to learn how to be organised, the normal everyday stuff, this is not just for the trip, but when they start school as well.

Glad to hear that they are still doing the Lake Garda trip 😀

haha that's so funny. Great that's good to know about valuables bag ... all 5 seem to be on their "compulsory" uniform list. are there any other things that don't get used? We are so lucky to have a mum whose trodden the Y6 newbie path before!

i mean firefox - BRAIN FOG. ARGGGHH

wow that's A-mazing •orangetiger• seriously all included? loving this school already. Yes would love to get a 2nd hand blazer, i know he will want all new sports kit/bags etc (5 of them - really?!). will you please let me know when you know date of 2nd hand sale.