Have we got a starting Secondary School Support thread?

Oh bugger - cross-post with the disappearing writing!!

We've tried umpteen different types of pen, from Bic biros to special expensive ones recommended by the school (which he lost...) but he's currently getting on best with one he got free in a goodie bag at an RAF event over the summer. He actually writes much more tidily in pencil but the school won't allow that. I've just ordered some of those Frixion pens though - they sound useful.

frixon pens are not allowed in dc school.
the writing dissapears if you leave the paper in a warm place (above radiator for example)

My ds on the other hand has appalling writing in year 9, years of nagging him has had no effect unfortunately. He just hates writing. School have never mentioned it though.

My dd has asked for Pilot Frixion pens after seeing others use them - as they have to use pens....but you can rub these ones out! She’s fairly near, but does make a lot of mistakes in maths, so wants it to look legible. I’m surprised how good they are!

what do your dc write with?
dc has gel pens, as they don't need hard grip and contact to write.
fountain pens are also good and ergonomic.

DS2's writing is similar spiderlight. DS2 does have appear to have hypermobile shoulders and hands/fingers (can do a weird thing with his shoulder blades(!) and bend his fingers right back etc) which I think accounts for some of it. He says he gets aches and pains if he has to write a lot.

Can I ask about handwriting, especially in boys? DS's writing is pretty bad - he can write beautifully when he actually takes his time, but his default writing is a messy scrawl, usually all bunched together but not properly joined up. It's been an issue all through primary and he's very defensive about it. We've done a lot of practice at home but whenever he has to write anything for real, rather than actually writing for the sake of practising his writing, it all goes out the window and he reverts to writing that hasn't improved much since about year 3 :( People keep telling me that it's just a boy thing - does anyone else have the same worries?

We have also been working on homework today. Three different subject, one completes, notes for the other two. We'll be doing more work tomorrow morning as well .

DH spilt a drink on his own laptop yesterday One of our first laptops spent a week drying out in the airing cupboard after an incident involving bubble mixture and a toddler DD ....

Yes think about £200 of ours is the protection but I have had 2 repairs done for spilling drinks on ours in past year, DH is just collecting it now whilst I'm on our second one - had to buy another one for wfh when first being repaired - with a drink. Some people don't learn.

the cheapest 'homework' laptop at argos is 200£
nearly no storage, all goes on cloud...

Last year when DD went to get an induction for grammar she came back with USB stick, ours didn't even say needed but queried it and got told will need computer or laptop for homework. This school haven't said but when I asked on NMs last year got told it was the norm. We only had one snail paced computer so had to go and get new laptop. There were computers she could use at grammar at lunchtime at school but not always a viable option if lots of homeworks. Not sure if homework club has computers but even so would be difficult as some assignments are huge project ones. It is wierd how you get a months warning and installment options for a £15 school trip but get told to go and buy a laptop overnight. I think they should at least put it in the letters you get about joining school - if you are told in say March at least you can adjust. We both have good jobs but even for us £600 in 1 go is a bit

it's really weird. for the class trip we got a warning with the welcome letter and the option to pay in installments.
for this just a sheet --that dc didn't put straight into the recycling like all the advertisement leaflets.

We had that last year Red and I was a bit and shocked at the lack of warning. Actually DS may need one though just asked him and he says he can do homework on his phone They are quite pricey, even the cheap ones, but its best to get protection - this one is fairly cheap but with the 3 year protection it was still £600. At least if they said in July would give people a bit of warning.

school has now told us, they expect dc to use a laptop for homework. dc has to have it after half term.

we don't have one...
so will probably buy a cheap (ish) one just for school.
I wonder what pupils do whose family can't afford to buy one?

0 siblings
walk or bus

Oh Witch I'm too late! Just in case he wants a variety:

1. 2
2. Walk 5 minutes, then Bus.

Sorry to hear about the boy trouble, Giles. I agree that they need to nip it in the bud.

Titsywoo I feel your homework pain. DD2 and I had cross words about homework today. I'm really not feeling well and couldn't go to work today, so coaxing her reluctantly through various pieces of homework is the last thing I need.

Thanks to everyone who answered. He asked people he felt he knew well enough locally and with the answers here we have plenty.
He was just panicking at the thought of having to go up to people he felt he didn't know and say "hello, can I have your answers!"

He's very impressed with MN!

Urgh so much homework! DS has been coping ok with it but today he has had to start a 5 hour DT homework (a few times in the year they have a project for a subject that they have two weeks to do - but they do have other homework to do at the same time). It's pretty involved with designing a toy but of course with DT you have to do 4 preliminary designs then whittle it down. Stupid bloody subject. DS had a mini meltdown so I got him to do a bit of it then let him off. I will battle it again on Sunday (I give them Saturdays off of homework).

Witch
1
Walk

Probably also worth asking for a back up named person DD can report to in the event the first one isn't available. And asking for a procedure of how DD can contact them (e.g. DD to go to x dept/student reception etc). And mention there are turds of unknown names but a description if she can.

Thank you

I hope it's sorted out quickly Giles. Your poor DD shouldn't be having to deal with this.

frayed that is really helpful thank you so much. Have screen shotted and will fill in the blanks -And try not to use turds however tempting it may be over weekend and get it sent

Giles
yes name names and include dates and rough times of who and what they did. I'd also include what response she got from the form tutor. The school should have their behaviour policy online. Worth checking what should be happening.

So I'd do something like

Dear

My daughter, miniGiles is in form/mentor group x in Year 7. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the behaviour of [Turds ] towards her.
On the September @ around [turds 1,23] did [xyz]
On the
On the

My daughter informed her form tutor on and was told

This is clearly unacceptable and is causing my daughter much distress. Whilst I appreciate you may need some time to fully investigate, I would ask for the following arrangements to be made in the interim:

The seating to be rearranged in x class(es) so DD is not next to [turds]
The work arranged in x class(es) to be changed so DD is not with [turds]
A named member of staff DD can report any further incidents to.

I look forward to your earliest reply.