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Original poster

Boarding school tips (sixth form girl)

34 replies

TheOccupier · 26/08/2021 23:43

DNiece is off to boarding school! Going into Y12. She's been living abroad until now so has never even been to an English school before but has always wanted to do this and is excited.

Am helping DSis pack and prepare but although we have lists (so many lists) from the school we don't really know what we're doing Confused - we didn't go to boarding school ourselves. Can any experienced parents of boarders share any tips please?

Also, I would like to get DN a special gift to mark this new stage of her life - something she can take to school with her that will be useful and nice there and remind her how much her auntie loves her Grin. Does anyone have any ideas? She's going to a mixed school and will be in an all-girls house, I think with her own bedroom.

OP posts:
TheSmallAssassin · 29/08/2021 14:04

@ChequerBoard

Stikina are good but I would strongly advise to see in name tapes on high value items like blazers etc.

Stikins are easy to remove...

Sew in name tapes are also very easy to remove! Just a few snips...
BingBongToTheMoon · 29/08/2021 13:48

I would absolutely use good quality sewn in labels.
Stickins can be (fairly easily) peeled off after a few washes.

ChequerBoard · 29/08/2021 13:37

Stikina are good but I would strongly advise to see in name tapes on high value items like blazers etc.

Stikins are easy to remove...

Original poster
TheOccupier · 29/08/2021 13:29

Thanks so much everyone, I had not seen the other threads so am off for a browse of those. Love the idea of a beauty/subscription box.

Neither DSis nor I can face sewing in nametapes so we've bought Stikins instead - does that sound OK? DNiece is under strict instructions to use mesh bags when she sends her socks/knickers to laundry, so we aren't going to name those.

OP posts:
Bryonyshcmyony · 28/08/2021 06:56

A subscription of some sort
I bought dd a beauty box subscription delivered to school every month which was something she really looked forward to

Ericaequites · 28/08/2021 05:14

Label everything to avoid confusion. Woven sewn in labels are best. Bring plenty of tights/undies/San pro so as to not run short.
A nice string of pearls or a Pandora bracelet in sterling are good gifts. A good down pillow or duvet is always useful; make sure she has two sets of sheets.

ChequerBoard · 27/08/2021 16:55

A good pair of headphones is a good gift for a boarding student. Preferably some noise cancelling ones.

Both my DC were/are weekly boarders. DD now off to Uni in a few weeks, DS about to go back to school in Y10.

They loved it and got a lot out of the experience.

Key things to pack/sort:
Dressing gown /robe
Sliders /slippers
Phone / laptop chargers
Plenty of data on the phone contract for FaceTime home etc
Mattress topper (beds usually a bit lumpy without one)
Own pillow (as above)
Nice bed linen to personalise the space
Photos of family / friends for their notice boards
Battery operated fairy lights
In 6th form DD took her own monitor to hook up to her laptop and found it really useful
Laundry bag (mine were weeklies so home clothes came home for washing)
Towels that aren't the same as everyone else's so easy to identify!

Edmontine · 27/08/2021 16:20

You may find this thread helpful:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/4186572-2021-Boarding-Parents-thread

Hoopa · 27/08/2021 13:20

How about a pillow case with a photo of you all on it - my DD has one with her friends on which she loves … I think her friend got it through an online company….
Or a nice cushion for her bed? She won’t have much room for Knick nacks…