pfb -in fact only child - off to secondary on Thursday...

Oh Polgara, that's awful, the poor lamb! Why put them in the same form & let them think they'll be together, but then mix them up for classes! If she's still upset about it today I would think about contacting her form tutor or head of year about it.

Interesting about DS doing his SATs papers again, roisin...I have been told by some primary teachers I know that there are schools where the content of the papers is "leaked" and that the teachers then teach to the exam...maybe getting them to do them again is an attempt to see how they get on without that input?

polgara - so sorry about that. There are only 5 in DS's school from his primary but thankfully the school has done it's best to put them together as much as possible. Fingers crossed that it's better than she expects.

Pologra I'm sure she'll settle in soon. My Dd was really worried as no one in her class at Primary was going to her High School but last week found a couple of others who'd been in different classes at primary and they all tagged along together to find the lessons. Last night she came back from school to her Dad's house with a girl who was from a different primary school and lived 2 doors down from her dad. So I'm sure your DD will be absolutely fine! It's just so nerve wrecking wondering if they will be ok but I think sometimes we forget how children can make new friends so easily.

Thank MAS - I just hope she comes home today a bit happier.

Well unfortunately DD1's first day did not go down particularly well . She has 4 children in her form from her old school so she was feeling quite happy if nervous. Turns out that when they got their timetables 3 of them are together for lessons and she is totally different. Cue lots of stress and panic on her part at not knowing where to go or who she will be with. I know it will get better but it wrenches at my heart to see her so upset.

roisin - DS is in the same position. Nearly put his back out carrying a pe bag and a rucksack to school and back on Monday. Unfortunately the lockers are tiny so he will probably only be able to put his football boots and trainers in there and bring the rest of the kit on his rucksack twice a week.

magenta - that is what I thought too

Erk Bellavita thats a bit harsh for the 1st week IMHO!

I'm not too sure if it is usual MAS but it was very reassuring for me. The tutor groups are mixed so have 3 children from each year in them so her poor teacher didn't have to ring 30 yr7 parents

5 children out of DS1's class got break detention today for not getting their planner signed by a parent

Luckily for DS he asked me to sign his as soon as he brought it home and I have signed it already for this week. Although I do check in it every night.

I know DD has been doing Maths tests, she's had two so far plus she did two English tests on the induction day plus another one last week. She's not said that they were old SATS papers tho'. Does seem a bit odd to be doing the papers they did last May or where they the KS3 papers level 3-5?

roisin DS1 has had pe today and has got it tomorrow - so that is two days in a row he has to carry his kit around.

He has not mentioned any tests to us and from the work he has brought home it does not look like he has been doing any.

magentadreamer - that was nice of the teacher to ring you.

ds1 has had another good day - no PE on Mondays!

Tomorrow is PE and he still hasn't sorted out a locker, so will have to carry all his kit around all day.

In lots of subjects they've been doing tests, which is no surprise. But ds1 says in Maths, English and Science they've been re-doing the SATs papers from 2008, which sounds rather odd to me. Has anyone else come across this?

I'm most impressed. I had an message on my answering machine from DD's form tutor. My heart sank when I heard "this is Mrs ***" I was like eeeeeeeek whats she done? The message went on to say DD appears to be settling in nicely, was a little bit quiet but and hasn't had any problems so far and if I needed to contact her to not hesitate in ringing to talk to her. I thought that was really nice of her to ring.

So far, he has turned up on time usually 4.10pm....... but am not unduly worried at this stage.

Is anyone unexpectedly nervous about their DCs going awol between home and school and vice versa? DS#1 has had independence for ages and goes all over the place alone...but with his mobile. Not allowed to have those in school and I surprise myself by getting nervous when he isn't back by about 3.45. I know he's OK, I know he will turn up but I can't help being nervous.

Perhaps I'm belatedly turning into a over-protective parent

Thanks for the sock advice!DS went off on the bus loaded down with a bag full of heaven knows what-I dutifully helped her cover some exercise books and got into a sticky mess....much crinkles too

House seems really quite now and a LONG time till the bus gets back-4.10 as opposed to 10 past 3

Hint from DH to mark out PE kit back from the others-electrical insulating tape around a strap in jolly colours!

Well I suppose it's back to the day job-accountant coming on fri so lets get on with the paperwork and all the other jobs that have been on ice......

Have a great week and hit those cappucinos...

There is one good thing that has come out of DS1 going to secondary school - the upstairs/bathroom - I was in the sink first/I need to brush my teeth fighting between him and DS2 has stopped.

DS1 goes up a lot earlier to get ready now whilst DS2 is still coming round eating his breakfast.

So all is peaceful at the moment on a morning in the bellavita household!

DD is going to be playing tag rugby according to the stuff sent but no mention of a gum sheild! Argggggh as she's a candidate for a brace when the dentist decides it's time to sort out her teeth!

DD has confessed she ONLY thinks the elosive dinner card is in her locker so she'll be at student services first thing if it isn't to get another one....

Hope everyones DC's has a good 2nd week.