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...

Thank you Seeline & Lady Muck. Didn't know that about school trips so will probably need an Oyster card on top if train ticket that incorporates bus journey to Trinity!

Can someone who has a DS at Trinity confirm, is Mr Bishop leaving 2015 or 2016?

At the end of the 2016 school year.

So.....tomorrow is the New Parents Evening at W...I guess we should have some sort of Freemasonesque handshake so we can identify each other shouldnt we??? lol

Went to the W event this evening. Was very impressed yet again with the staff ~ including the slightly bonkers music teacher ~ as well as the two boys who spoke and the others with whom we met. It was also nice to meet some other parents and hear about their boys. It no longer feels so surreal, which is good, and our DS sounds pretty similar/standard, which is a relief!

It was my first time in the quadrangle ~ what an amazing space! The boys are very lucky.

The head confirmed he will serve for 2 more years to make 25 years in total. He will be a hard act to follow but I am sure the governors are contemplating life afterwards and this should be a great post for the right person [fingers crossed],

Mrs Whitfield was hilarious! I wasn't sure whether it was an act or whether she is actually barking mad!

I came away from yesterday evening feeling very proud that DS wa going to go there and also confident that the school will give him the opportunities to shine in whichever arena he chooses.
W gets stuck sometimes for being arrogant and obsessed with success, but I must say that my dealings with the school have shown none of that... All of the teachers just seem to be committed, hard working and seem to genuinely care about the boys.

Like all schools, it won't suit everyone and there will be a number of parents who are unhappy, but crucially we all believe it's the right school for DS.

Oh... And for those interested, they have gone back to 3 Forms this year for Lower First (apparently it's around 65 boys) and 9 forms forms Upper First (around 190 including including around 80 from current Lower First)

Re: Mrs Whitfield, she's normally quite animated, although a couple of us "oldies" thought that she definitely surpassed herself yesterday!

Good news about form sizes, especially as it will be such a new experience for the boys. The smaller class sizes should help with making the process of settling in that much easier. I thought the head had suggested class sizes would be between 12-15 pupils.

In any case, I assume class sizes will increase in upper first?

Anyone going to the W10+ Lake Garda Trip meeting next week? Do you know if we can bring DS with us? Assuming so as it doesn't say no as the Parents' night letter did. DS very keen to go...

This is my 1st post into this thread. I have been following this since its start and it has been invaluable source of information and advice. Thank you all. My son will start in W in Y7 in September. He will be commuting from Wimbledon. I am trying to find out what is parents' preferred transport from/to Wimbledon. I spoke with couple of mums at the Parents evening last Tuesday and there is a mixture of boys going on the bus (some will go on bus 1st term) or using tramlink to East Croydon..+ bus...; or a train from Clapham Junction? We are currently abroad, hence my ignorance... Any views / practical experience? Many thanks.

The Whitgift boys coming from Wimbledon that I know seem to use the Tram/Bus option.

Thanks Mertonmama.

Madurodam my son is yr6 W and there are a lots of boys who come from wimbledon way, think it depends how close to the tram they are, southfields/wimbledon park boys seem to take the bus. Though not sure what they will do when they are in yr 7.

School Bus from outside Wimbledon library. Lots of boys on it. Train home when not too many bags. A few get tram but more on train - tram is free and train much cheaper than bus option. Plenty of boys to look out for one another. I can recommend first term on bus as they're tired! Been doing the commute for 3 years now and mix it up depending on the term (cricket bag impossible on train at end of a long day). If doing the tram, a test run is a good idea and a bit of fun one day in the summer holidays. Stop at ikea for meatballs mid route! ??????????

This is really helpful info... and I fancy the meatballs idea..:-) Thanks Havinganightmare.

We did 5 years of bus, due to the amount of baggage and co curricular activities. There are now two coaches from Wimbledon, 5 years ago there was one small 30 seater coach. Lots of boys take the tram or train. Whitgift has become very popular as a destination school from both state and private in the area. So a lot more local friends for weekends.

Madurodam DS will be taking tram/ bus from September (yr6) from Wimbledon as he is very used to using public transport and we are much nearer the tram stop than any of the school bus stops. Works best for us as well as it gives DS the flexibility he likes in the morning - he is an early riser and likes to get going.

Would second the view that there are lots of boys going to Whitgift from the Wimbledon area. I have made the trip back from Whitgift on the bus/ tram with DS a couple of times which coincided with the after school commute for the W boys. There were several boys on the tram getting off at Merton Park, Dundonald Road and Wimbledon Station. Have also been pleased to see loads of boys getting off the train at Wimbledon station in Whitgift uniform after school. The boys all seem to travel in little groups of friends which makes me/ DS confident that he will be ok come September.

DS has practiced the trip to the school by tram/ bus to get to know his bus options/ walking routes and I would say a few trips with DS over the school hols will help a lot. Also good to get a heads up on where best to cross roads, what to look out for etc.

Having said that we are using induction days as a bit of a practice run...

On my previous question regarding the 10+ Lake Garda trip meeting on Monday, (in case anyone else is wondering) - it is just for parents. I was told by admissions that the boys will get loads of information during that first week of school.

Thank you BitbyBit. Definitely will practise commute by train/tramlink/bus during August and induction days. I will also sign up DS for the 1st term on the school bus and see how it goes with after school clubs, etc.

Many thanks to you all for helpful information and looking forward to hopefully meeting you in W.

Following on from BitbyBit's comments, I would note that indeed these friendship groups do seem to naturally happen when travelling together, and for that reason I would consider carefully which you want to opt for in the long run, as a change after a term or even a year can be a bit unsettling. If tram is a better option for him in the long term then I would use that from the start.

If anyone is interested in used (good condition) lower school uniform including,shirts, school blazer and school coat, sports clothing etc then please pm me.

Forgot to mention the uniform is for Whitgift school.

Hi all,
Hoping some of the seasoned Whitgift Mums can give a little advice. Am sorting out sport shoes for September for DS (10+) and am getting a bit confused.

My question is with regard to indoor/ outdoor sport shoes. I know he needs a pair of non-marking shoes for indoor games/PE. I have been told that he will need a pair of rugby boots for rugby in the fall. Will he also need a pair of outdoor trainers for other outdoor sports - hockey etc? Also with regard to the courts (racquetball, fives etc) will he need a separate pair of court shoes for these? (That would be 4 pairs of sport shoes!!! Not counting any for other specific sports that he might want to get into later...)

I would like to limit what I buy due to cost/ space restrictions and because his feet are growing so fast. I can foresee buying new shoes for every possible use and these getting worn about twice before they are outgrown.

Can non-marking soled shoes (indoor only) be worn on the courts, or will they need specific court shoes?

Can rugby boots be doubled up for other field sports? - football, hockey if they aren't playing to a high level (showing complete sporting ignorance here - but football and rugby boots look the same to me..)

And for other outdoor sports, are trainers fine for everything else?

Am I over thinking this and he just needs a pair of non-marking shoes for indoors and rugby boots for outdoors to start?

Just thought I would ask to anyone who has been through it could offer any insight!

Hi Bit

I'm a Dad, but Ill try and help nonetheless!

I was told by the ladies in the school shop that DS (10+) would only need no marking indoor trainers and rugby boots. However, as someone who played Rugby and Football to a reasonable level, I would personally get separate football and rugby boots (studs are of different lengths) or else get boots with screw in studs, so that you can swap rugby studs (long) for football studs (short) as required. Go to any Sports Direct (such as the one in Valley Park Retail Park in Purley Way) and they are usually pretty helpful.

What Im planning to do is buy indoor non-marking shoes, use existing trainers for outdoor and existing football boots. I will buy a pair of rugby boots. All will be bought at Sports Direct, who I find very reasonable price-wise, hope that helps.

Thanks Firefox for clearing that up!! Had no idea about the studs - very useful... In that case will use existing football boots and change out the studs. So I just need to get the non-marking soles for indoors and let him use his existing trainers for outdoors.
Thanks for the reply - you saved me the cost of a couple of pairs of shoes and the inevitable mess of shoes all over the place.