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Original poster

Thread For Boarders

826 replies

morethanpotatoprints · 01/06/2015 11:33

Just thought I'd start a support thread for those either starting this september or established boarders happy to help those with many queries.

There are quite often individual threads for particular schools but it doesn't necessarily say whether boarding, day, private or state in the title. So I thought this would be a good way of getting us all together and also for those people from overseas looking for particular types of schools.

My dd is starting in sept and will weekly board, atm I am gathering uniform and other essential items and will begin the labelling process soon.
I do quite like this as sad as it seems, I find hand sewing very therapeutic and relaxing for some reason. Grin

OP posts:
Pepperpot69 · 02/09/2015 12:16

Ha Ha HG, knowing you a little as I do from posts and PMs I should have chosen a better 'title' for you but our school Matron is warm and friendly, always there to reassure us mums and nothing is ever too much trouble for her. She is always smiling through adversity, tears and tissues with sensible and comforting advice to put us at ease, sharing in our DCs triumphs and tribulations...rather like you have for so many of us. So a huge pat on the back as you venture into your last year and be proud of the help and advice you give so many of us following in your footsteps! Virtual hug!

bulletpoint · 02/09/2015 13:41

Good luck to your DS as he embarks on his last year HG and also to DS1 who is off to university.

happygardening · 02/09/2015 14:35

Good luck also to all those who are new to boarding and those like DS2 are old hands at it. For those who this is an important year, pre tests, entrance exams, (I)GCSEs, A levels IB or Pre Us etc extra good luck to you all. Also those starting Uni boarding shoulde have prepared you well good luck on the next phase of your lives I hope it brings you lots of happiness.

cosmobrown · 02/09/2015 15:15

just dropped ds off!!! First time boarder. He seemed happy enough and was smiling when I peeked at him after we'd gone!

Dreamgirls234 · 02/09/2015 15:19

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NewLife4Me · 02/09/2015 15:56

Good luck everybody, do keep the thread going when the dc go back to school. This must be a record for a boarding school thread.
Thank you all so much for keeping it going nicely, I'm really chuffed how helpful folks have been.

Coming to the end of the labelling, I keep buying more.
We have packed and then unpacked half of it as dd keeps adding more Smile
News reports not too good today, trying to keep dd away from them. She knows the history but don't want it to upset or frighten her atm.
Those poor young girls, my heart goes out to them.

bulletpoint · 02/09/2015 17:42

DS has refused to label and decided to hand write it on all. Wonder how all that will work when he returns to school. sending him off on Sunday with needle and sewing wool just in case.

Dreamgirls234 · 02/09/2015 17:54

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balletgirlmum · 02/09/2015 22:24

Yes just seen the news.

Dh knew one of the people previously convicted. He's sat in his kitchen during a course. But it was a while ago & couod have happened anywhere.

JenniferClarissa · 05/09/2015 16:42

We're in that funny pre-back-to-school limbo hour that HG talked about upthread. DS seems jolly and excited about his new start and is packing the car with DH. I, on the other hand, am feeling very wobbly - I think it must be because he's stepping up to senior school.

A tip that one of the teacher gave me when I was weeping my way through all the end of prep school events - you can't cry if you are sucking on a sweet (thank you Mrs X for the pear drops - they worked).

Best wishes to all the other parents saying goodbye to DCs this weekend. I hope it goes well for everyone.

NewLife4Me · 05/09/2015 18:10

Well, its madness here atm, dd goes tomorrow afternoon and is so excited.
She was counting years, then months, weeks, days, and now hours and seconds. I have never seen somebody so excited.
She is taller than me and quite a bonny lass, she is running and squeezing me hard, picking me up etc. I'm sure she's broken one of my ribs Grin
I hope its not a come down for her, or she's that giddy she gets herself into trouble straight away.
I might mention it before we leave her if she hasn't calmed down.
A friend is already there as much older and had to arrive on friday.
She has constantly sent messages that has dd even more hyped up, I on the other hand am apprehensive about the change and only got 3 hours sleep last night.

Dreamgirls234 · 05/09/2015 20:00

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Gruach · 06/09/2015 10:24

I have a headache. Everyone around me is indulging in Olympic level flapping - chopping and changing arrangements, swearing that there's no time! for this or that last minute purchase, querying things that were sorted out months ago ...

Still days till the start of term. Confused

And whatever happened to those mythical times when one just put the child on the school train with a slice of fruit cake and a load of their chums?Envy

Anyway - good luck to everyone and a to first-timers. to you OP - so pleased you started this thread. Flowers

TwoflowersLuggage · 06/09/2015 11:13

Good luck NewLife for this afternoon.
You will be fine as will your DD, although it may not feel like it at the time!

It doesn't get any easier as the years pass and they get older - you just get more used to it!

Dreamgirls234 · 06/09/2015 11:17

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JenniferClarissa · 06/09/2015 13:48

Thinking of you this afternoon NewLife, I hope it goes well.

One of this years U6th has been in touch with DS1 (who was last year's U6th) and said that DS2 is doing OK so I am feeling better than I was last night, even though I miss him.

DH is having to make another trip this afternoon as we got half way home and discovered that DS2 had left his wallet, all his stationery and a hoodie on the back seat of the car.

NewLife4Me · 06/09/2015 19:50

We are back now, I didn't cry, but got home and realised she hasn't got a coat. Grin I labelled it and hung it up in the hall, and it's been so nice lately.

No worries though she can take it next week, if of course she decides to come home at weekend.
She is in a four bed dorm with 2 other girls so quite a big room.
We saw one of the girls who seemed very quiet and reserved, she hadn't met dd properly though and her mum was there, neither spoke to us, so no idea what the girl is like.
The other girl had just arrived as we left but we didn't meet her.

goinggetstough · 06/09/2015 19:56

Glad to hear it all went well new.

NewLife4Me · 06/09/2015 21:07

DD called before bed and said three girls were really scared and older than her and she looked after them.
She is mature and very confident beyond her years and used to living in an adult world. She's always wanted a younger sibling too, but no chance Grin
The staff don't just throw these things together do they? It seems quite cleverly arranged.
Ah, bless.

JenniferClarissa · 06/09/2015 21:11

Your DD sounds like a Star NewLife

Hope you both sleep well Smile

Dreamgirls234 · 06/09/2015 21:22

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Adventurers71 · 07/09/2015 07:32

NewLife4Me

I am so glad that things went well with the drop off. Well done for not crying - don't think I'm going to be quite that strong.

How lovely of your DD to look after the others - she sounds just lovely.

We get to take our DS on Wednesday and if it was up to me it would be a quick take things to his room, settle him in and then leave before I show myself up blubbing. But the school is doing it differently - lunch then settle boys in and then off with the other parents for an address by the headteacher. Waterproof mascara it is then!

IndridCold · 07/09/2015 08:48

That sounds like DSs school, Adventurers. In the event it worked really well. We helped DS unpack then there were drinks in the garden. The boys immediately got together in a little huddle and we could see DS right in the middle chattering away. They had older boys there too being big brotherly and offering assurance. It was a chance for us parents to meet and get to know each other too. We also met the main domestic staff and tutors and deputy HMs too. After lunch (the boys all went off and sat together) there were some brief speeches from HM (basically saying go away and don't phone them all the time) then everyone is saying goodbye at the same time which I found made it easier. Then both you and DSs have something else to go off and do. By the time it hits you you are well on your way home - which I find is still the worst part even after 4 years.

Adventurers71 · 07/09/2015 09:23

Thank you IngridCold - I think you may be right about it being the same school.

I will see how it goes - I thought I would cry seeing him getting fitted for his uniform but managed to keep it together so there is hope (not much but a little hope). At least all of the parents will be in the same position I guess. I don't think the older boys are back until later in the day - unless they have specific boys back earlier to help out.

He has met all the boys in his year in his house at a BBQ but I think he feels a little of an outsider as they were all talking about which prep school they went to and DS didn't go to prep school. He did get on great with the older boys he met when he went to the BBQ so that is a good place to start.

abear · 07/09/2015 09:36

We did the first time boarding drop off yesterday. DS seems very happy and in a lovely dorm with like minded boys it would seem. I feel a bit lost but it was a beautiful day and couldn't have gone any more smoothly so now on with settling in to a new routine. Good luck to everyone else here.