The Trinity-Whitgift-Dulwich-Alleyns 10+/11+ thread 2015 PART 2

[Firefox1066]

Part 1 of this thread can be found here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/a2258026-The-Trinity-Whitgift-Dulwich-Alleyns-10-11-thread-2015

This is the follow on...

Just place marking, hi all!

Ooh - second thread! What a chatty bunch we must be
Just to let T parents know there is a second hand uniform sale on Saturday if any of you want to get a head of the pack, or just get an idea of what's needed details

Thanks Firefox1066 for taking care of the second thread! Seeline -thanks for the info about the sale - must def pop in, might save some money on some sport t-shirts or smth (every little helps!) - have no idea yet what will need to buy though and what is not necessary...

mum3074 My not-particularly sporty DS has used all his sports kit. The only thing I didn't buy was the white gym shorts (silky fabric) as I figured he could use his white rugby shorts for both (which he has done). But I think they have finally stopped asking for white rugby shorts, and just use the blue ones (much easier for washing!!) so don't know if both are still on the list.
Uniform-wise - they can wear white shirts and black trousers from any High street shop, not just from the suppliers. Also jumpers can be grey or black plain, not just the grey logo'd ones from Hewitts. current uniform list here but obviously could change

am v excited that we can wear our own coats - a novelty for us as both mine have expensive school ones. It is always the sports kit that costs the most though - and the bags weirdly.

Agree with you omni...no more expensive duffel coats to buy just VERY expensive Superdry or Hollister ones to buy instead!

Great to hear that T. is sensible and does not expect us to buy everything exactly the same like some schools, giving you an option to purchase from the high street. Thanks for the list seeline - what are the "highly recommeded" or "optional" items? Are the first ones have to be bought? ( My DS never wears a scarf for example...)

I've never noticed the 'highly recommended' bit before. DS has a hat for the winter but it's not a school one. I don't think he has EVER worn a scarf
I think the pullover is 'optional' in that they don't have to wear a jumper at all, and if they do it just has to be black or grey, not necessarily logo'd.
The hoodies are new - if they could be used instead of the tracky tops, they would certainly be cheaper, but don't know if that's possible. However, DS has made good use of his very expensive tracksuit, despite only playing for a low level rugby team. They are vaguely windproof and waterproof and if bought big enough last for at least 3 years .
I think everything else on the list is required. Hewitts are brilliant and know exactly what is needed. If you can, make a special evening appointment during the summer holidays to buy uniform. You get a member of staff to yourself, and the whole experience is much less chaotic than I imagined it would be.

Cross out the scarf then from my list too! Thanks so much, seeline, for the practical advice - will def make an appointment with Hewitts in the summer - after all their prices seem competitive and it would be handy indeed to have their expert opinion on the spot.

Glad to see this thread has continued!
To reply to mikejan21, if we had any grammars near us, and our state schools were better, we would be delighted to save the money we will spend at Trinity! As this is not the case, we are opting for what we feel is best for DS. We know of parents who have not chosen the private route who do exactly that, pay for extra curricular activities that amounts to way less than school fees, but sometimes the ethos of the school can be of such importance in these formative years. Just my opinion!

My reply to mikejan21 is, if DS had passed Grammar we would have gone there.

Re: School uniforms is there equivalent tips/lists for W like there is is for T?

In reply to mikejan21, DS got his first choice of grammar school, and money is an issue for us. However, he also received an excellent academic scholarship and we felt that the environment at T, and what the school's aims are, exactly suit DS. I don't think it's just about buying in the extra-curricular activities and bolting them on to what is undoubtedly a great academic education at grammar school.

I have also heard some stories recently from several different sources that point to the pressures of grammar school, in particular at Wilson's. Boys are being told that Bs are not good enough and they have been put in extra classes to ensure they get A*s and As. I don't want that for DS.

I'd like to echo Sharmila's question... Any current W parents wanna give us the lowdown on what/what not to buy?

Firefox - We thought we had to buy everything in the shop first time round. Ds has worn jumper maybe 4 times in 2 years.
The valuables bag has not been used (mind you his only valuable was a watch that went missing!). Worth buying a second p.e. and games kit from second hand sale as bits go missing continually. 2 ties are a good idea too. Lamy pens - these are the 'in' pens but also seem to go missing on a regular basis so cheaper options are better to have. Swimming hat not strictly necessary, own coat (blue) the ones from the shop are common and get mixed up/lost most of the time.
And label EVERYTHING!!! Sports back in big letters on the top, book bags in big letters on the front. Bags are left everywhere in piles, if you walk around the school you will see them laying around abandoned in random places.
Then comes all the sports kit, hockey sticks, cricket gear, rugby boots etc etc. When Ds started he could barely carry all his gear to school!

mikejan21 - private secondary was never an option for us, but with the unexpected generous scholarship it became achievable financially. We too were worried about the pressures of grammar, the long commute from our home and felt our DS, who is a perfectionist child with a tendency to be down on himself, would be happier in a more nuturing and encouraging academic environment. Inaschools - sounds like you had a similar dilemma to us. Hoping your DS will be very happy at T

Thanks Burnt.... DS is eagerly awaiting for when the school uniform and all the other joining info will come.

I wonder when the next W uniform sale is? Always good to get stuff like back up PE kit from such sales

Firefox the next W uniform sale is on Saturday 14th March I think it starts at 10am. W uniform list is on the school website via facilities, then school shop.

Thanks caribbeanqueen Is it held at the school? If so, Ill go along there tomorrow.

Firefox, yes it is held at the school.

If anyone wants info on where to go for labelling kit, you can PM me for details. It's a shop in wallington ( I have no personal ties with the store nor have shares or any such advantage). Had to put on that disclaimer as I don't know what the etiquette is on here for posting information on businesses. They are really good and have been reliable and look after people from most local schools. I've used them over the years for all my DC.
Happy morher's day to all the mums on here, hope you are all being spoilt.

Hi all

Just another quick tip re W uniform - you can be fully equipped during your school shop appointment.... but I'd recommend getting trousers elsewhere. They need to be Charcoal grey (not normal school dark grey) and you can pick up slightly more comfortable / flattering styles from M&S etc. Front pleat style is bit smarter / preferred. You prob need a couple of pairs.

If your DS is sporty, worth getting the tracksuit jacket (and bottoms) - can come in handy.

Everything needs to be labelled - the shop offer a service for this....(after a late night fiddling around with needles and thread I'd wished I'd just used a labelling service). Iron on labels are another easier option (for shirts etc) but labels should be sewn securely onto key items such as bags / blazer etc. Expect items to go missing in the first term until DSs get used to looking after their belongings - but they usually turn up eventually if labelled!

Good idea to have a few emergency spares of PE kit / tie etc - which you could pick up from a second hand uniform sale if you don't want to buy 2 of everything upfront. You will need Rugby boots, indoor non-marking trainers and astro turf boots. You can get all in the shop but worth checking out better deals elsewhere. Re Lamy Pens etc as Burntout says - DSs not always great at looking after expensive pens... but washable blue ink preferred and you can never have enough ink eraser pens! Happy shopping all...

I was at W this week accompanying a friend and saw a couple of boys wearing Navy Blue Blazers with bright yellow on the lapels and front. Any W parent know which boys wear these blazers? Prefects maybe?

They're sporting colours blazers

And Music, Drama colours blazers worn usually by U6 form generally on special occasions. Something for the boys to aspire to.