Oh! Oh! My firstborn starts secondary school in September. Surely that warrants a support thread?

Well, dd's PE bag was left in the dining hall yesterday as she rushed to girls' choir, so let's hope she finds it today... I don't fancy going through the nightmare that was ordering the whole kit again by phone!
She's a bit too relaxed re finding out when the clubs she wants to join are starting, so we'll see tonight whether she found drama club or not... She also supposedly has orchestra tomorrow so she'd better find out whether it is on as she has to carry her cello!
They are already having a House music competition (just re-read that and it does sound odd) which she is taking part in next week. And it's photos tomorrow ( = dd wondering how to wear her hair.... the problems of an 11 year old)
She does seem a lot less tired this week, I hope everyone else is finding the same in their year 7s.

Thanks "kid" was just speaking to my mum basicaly it seems like hes arrived late been taken and in my this group, a condition of membership seems to be to bin every uniform rule going and as he was walking down mum noticed that one of them appeared to be smoking... shes really worried so am! Thats comprehensive for you....

I'm glad he isn't being bullied, thats very important that bullying has been ruled out. Now, the school and your parents can deal with the being in the wrong crowd business.
Lets hope going on report will make him think twice about his actions.
Hope it all settles down soon. Bet you're glad your parents are back!

Oh and just so no one thinks hes being hard done by its come to mums attention from speaking to him that he isnt being bullied hes joined the wrong crowd already.... Judging by the other people he walked home with since we live by the school it seemed apparent there was more to this than I first thought.

Hi all thought I would drop you a line to know how things have gone since my parents got back and such. Parents got back today just as brother was walking up the road totally badge less (I guess he finished removing it), button less, untucked shirt and lacking a done up top button and tie a total mess for someone in year seven he must have broken almost every rule in the book. He?s got the biggest dressing down (no pun intended) from Mum. No Xbox and grounded for starters? told mum what?s been going on she rang the head of year they are meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation, while on the phone its already been decided his going on a report card starting tomorrow?. Tough love? but the head of year will still be trying to get to the bottom of it all?.

DS has not mentioned any clubs as yet. I'll see what's avail first. I think their enthusiasm can overtake them and want to join all. The only club mine has been successful at was the Quit Club! Is there a footy afterschool club he can join to make up for the lunchtime sssions? Healthy body = Healthy mind.

DDs school gave a list of rules and I'm sure one of them was that they must catch up on work they missed while away. Thats just from memory though, I could be wrong.
Hope he is on the mend soon x

Hi all,

ROFFLE at Staffordshire Whored...

Well, DS1 is off school. Argh. Has had v high temperature and the awful cough I have only just started shaking off (after a month )

Two days away. Hopefully back tomorrow.

Can someone advise whether it is worth trying to find out what he missed or whether just to leave it? Is there an expectation that he will catch up or do missing homework etc?

And what is everyone going to be doing about clubs/activities after school? I really want DS to do lots of stuff he's interested in but just don't know how he'd fit it all in with the homework... He's running around a LOT less now because of the, er, pecking order about playing football in the playground. I think the Y7s just get to hang around while the older kids run the show. This worries me somewhat because he needs to be active and burn off steam...

We don't get any feedback on HW here, I'm quite glad to see the back of it tbh!

Thanks all. I thought if I could give him a chance to make an effort on his own, it would give him a sense of achievment. However I when I checked his returned marked History homework on Anglo Saxons and the Staffordshire Hoard, I was horrified to see that he'd spelt Hoard, Whored!

DD has suddenly remembered what the geography homework is. She has to chose a picture and write what type of geography it is. I'm no help to her as I don't have a clue!

If she chose a tropical island photo, what type would that be? I'm guessing physical geography but that is just a guess.

Soupdragon, was it DS1 that told you? It would be in our house

GGG, is your DS getting feedback from his teachers that it looks like he is rushing his work, or is it you worrying about it? Just wondering if his teachers commenting on it would make him worry and pull his socks up?

I was told this morning that it was my fault DS1 hadn't finished his art

My tactic with DD is to make her do it again until it doesn't look rushed. If that means no TV or no playing out then thats the way it will have to be.

The other alternative is to not nag or rush to get it done and let them suffer a detention. I like the idea of a detention to shock DD but I don't feel cruel enough to let her earn a detention!

I thought Y7 would mean they grew up a bit and relied on me a bit less but its been the total opposite so far!

Hi All. This is my first time so be gentle with me! My son is now yr7 and I am really struggling to get him to do his homework without rushing it. What can I do to get him to take care and think about it?

Lol
thanks for the explanation. Dd has not asked her teacher yet so we may go along with your idea.
I've been dropping her very close to the sch each day but today may well have been the last day as I think I managed to get a parking ticket.
Does anyone know, do they have to print the ticket and issue it to me or can I get away with driving off

trefusis It's only a matter of time though...

Everything's going well for dd so far (fingers crossed), she thought she might have lost her english book but the teacher had them, and she got 9/9 for a short piece of writing and a special mention in class. She did get her days mixed up for her singing lesson so had to climb up 3 flights of stairs for nothing. Still, that's the way you learn...
Doing very well for friends in and out of her form, which is what I was most worried about
And she made me laugh today when she said a boy 'probably hit on her'. She wasn't even sure of his name, but he has great chat up lines: he said to her he can drive a kart but doesn't yet have a licence to drive a two seater kart! Cue bemused dd making polite noises at him (her heart is taken though!)
I guess this probably means everyone is starting to relax!
How are 'our' other year 7s doing?

trefusis