Trinity/Whitgift 2019 thread

Yes, quite a lot of info this week. The 3 day induction is vague isn't it?
I've handed in most of the forms as was at Whitgift today anyway but not DS not sure what to do about learning an orchestral instrument. DS not keen.

Information from W is starting to flood in! Anyone have any experience of the 3 day induction course? Looks like you can do 1/2 or 3 days. Anyone experience this last year? They also have a half day the day before term starts! Seems full on!

Yes it has to be the school coat
I expect there will be a fair number at the next secondhand sale

Induction is usually a couple of days before term starts for everyone

There are also some sport and maybe science courses that you can attend in the holidays www.whitgift.co.uk/Courses.aspx

Many thanks EveEldon! So if we need a coat it has to be the school coat?

Is there an induction for the new boys at W? I'm sure we will all hear more about these things on due course!

volpemum Sorry!

volpup JBug is the affectionate name used at Trinity for a member of the Junior form (Y6) 🙂

@enterparentone I assume you have the date of the new boys morning - usually end of June? The boys get to meet their form and form tutor (as do you, after a talk from the Head) - unless things have changed.
Other than that, they normally go into school the day before term starts in September for a bit of induction. JBugs went on their bonding trip for 3 days at the end of the first full week of term last year.
Unfortunately we only get access to the Diary on a termly basis with it being posted as the previous term ends. the boys bring home a hard copy for you each term, so I usually keep the previous year's set to refer to as the main things change little from year to year!

Sorry mumsnet beginner here...what’s Jbugs?!

School coat and jumper are optional
Depends on your child's commute and their preferences

Shirts - depends on the year - Y7/8/9 wear a blue shirt that has the school crest on
9 and up wear plain white (I think) - so these can be bought anywhere

Bags - they only carry swim or PE when they have those lessons and I think there is a kit room where they can leave stuff
Lockers are also available - they need a padlock
My child has never used the valuables bag

More questions for W mums out there, this time on uniform.

Do all the boys have the school coat?

And can school shirts be bought elsewhere?

Do they cart around all those bags (5!) all the time or do they stay at school/home based on what's needed on which day?

Thank you all!

Thanks Jige. The heads up on year 6 at whitgift is really useful. I’d also like to ask about the staff and how they are with the boys. Do they make the transition easier from junior to senior school? What is the pastoral care like? Thanks

user1485549700, I agree with everything basil13 has said, and also to point out some similarities to what Seeline has said even though that is for Trinity.
My DS started in Y6 and is now in Y7, the days are long, but agree it’s the intensity of the lessons. My DS came from a small state primary, relaxed atmosphere with receiving one piece of homework a week. So when he started Whitgift I have to say the amount of homework received didn’t faze him, they get on average 2-3 bits of homework per day. And he soon got used to it, but please don’t be alarmed, the homework is designed so that you don’t spend more than 30mins on each piece. Lessons in the day are 45 mins each x 6 sessions in a day.
It is compulsory for both Y6 and Y7 to have school dinners, and the reason for the long lunches which are 1.45min. This allows time for lunch which both years 6 & 7 get to go before the other year groups and allows plenty of time to do a club, there are no excuses for them not to do so and they are encouraged to do at least 3. There a lots of clubs to choose from during lunch time and after school.
I agree that for all boys it will be a shock to the system, long intense day, but my DS absolutely loves it at W, lessons and subjects interesting and engaging so he’s never really complained about the long days as such.
They have many mini tests, once they’ve covered a subject they are tested. But just before a half-term holiday and at the end of term they get a big test where you’ll get a report on their performance.
The best decision we ever made was to start DS in Y6, no SATS, no repetitive learning. Y6 gives the boys a good start and an insight into what is expected in Y7, and the transition was so easy, and they are no longer the new boys. Also being there a year earlier they are used to the school, rules and what is expected of them.
The one thing I would say is that they have to be very organised and they soon learn that very quickly.

So to answer your question of a typical day at W, long, busy, interesting educational wise and fun.

enterparentone My DS is L6 now so it is a long time since he was a JBug! I'm not sure how much has changed from then either...
For all boys lessons start at 8.55 and are 35 mins long, with a 5 min break in between to get to class. Break is 11.30 - 11.55, and lunch is 1.10 - 2.15 (lessons starting at 2.30)
I think science is still taught as general science in JBugs rather than separate subjects - that starts in first form. I'm sure they did experiments and stuff though - more exciting than his state primary.
Languages I think they did a term of each (although I'm sure he did Spanish, French, german and Mandarin so that can't be quite right!) They also had Classics lessons each week, which included Latin.
I think he had 2 double lessons of games (rugby, hockey, cricket depending on term), a single lesson of PE (gym etc) and a swimming lesson each week. They mixed forms for games lessons I think.
Lots of clubs, sports, music and matches before and after school as well as at lunch time. They were all encouraged to join a couple.
The boys were helped and supported very well with the step up to secondary. It was a real advantage when Y7 started.
I know the homework set up has changed so hopefully someone with more recent experience will be along soon.

Thanks Basil13. We will just have to see how the first term pans out. Coming from a v relaxed state primary the workload and testing is going to be a shock to the poor boy's system!!!

Enterparentone, I was there too. without my boy though, so I was guessing the size . just managed to get a few correctly!

Thanks AveEldon

W sale is not showing in the calendar yet but based on previous years my guess is around 22 June

Any idea when W’s 2nd hand sale is?

How did glad become half?! 😁

Half it was useful maximilli 🙂

Seeline thank you so much for advising about the second hand sale at T today. It was fantastic for getting really good quality items at such good value. Was also great opportunity to meet current parents stocking up- all of whom complained of how easily their DSs lose everything!