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Original poster

Anyone starting school next week?

50 replies

KMG · 30/08/2002 18:46

Our big day is Tuesday. Anyone else starting school next week?

I feel quite jittery, but ds seems fine about it. We moved house (250 miles) this month, and the boys have taken everything in their stride. My eldest is going into Yr 1, with a class of children who've been together at school for a year (different systems). But he doesn't seem phased at all by the prospect.

I've left all my friends behind, and won't have a shoulder to cry on when I'm feeling emotional on Tuesday.

OP posts:

Azzie · 10/09/2002 05:49

Well, today is the big day. Ds fell asleep straight away last evening and has slept a deep and dreamless sleep all night, so he obviously isn't bothered about it. I, on the other hand, found myself wide awake at 5.30 a.m. with all sorts of things on my mind . I just hope it all goes OK today.

Copper · 10/09/2002 11:19

wickedwatrerwitch
I've just been reading about your dad's advice on the other thread, to choose the school where your child would have the most fun. It sounds such a child-based idea,and when you think about it so obvious that the child needs to enjoy himself to get the most out of any school. When you went to ask schools about fun, what kind of response did you get? Did the school you chose differ significantly from any of the others - different atmosphere, appearance or anything? And how is ds doing there (on day 3?)?

WideWebWitch · 10/09/2002 11:56

Yes copper I did get different responses from the schools as follows:

No 1: The drip of a headmaster said "um, yes, I think so"
No 2: The headmistress said: "oh yes, I think so."
No 3: The headmistress clapped her hands, stopped the class and said "Can I ask you all a question: Do you have fun at this school? Please put your hand up if you do" They ALL put their hands up and she then asked a few of them why and how their school was fun. Answers were: there are great after school clubs, I like my friends etc. So we were impressed, big time and he's there now! He's enjoying it and said on Friday "do I have to go now?" as he's doing half days for a couple of weeks. So I think we made the right choice. And although it does seem obvious, I'm so glad my Dad was here then to give me that advice because I think it was brilliant.

Copper · 10/09/2002 12:51

wickedwaterwitch
I agree, it is a brilliant piece of advice. He sounds like a lovely man - wise, funny, and with his own unique take in the world. No wonder you miss him so much. Nice to know you were able to put it into practice.

Azzie · 10/09/2002 14:38

I've just picked my ds up from his first morning. He went off fine and confidently, but seemed a bit upset when I picked him up. He says he enjoyed assembly, but not playtime. He told me that his best friend in Reception wasn't very happy at break, and the two boys he knows in Year 1 (who he has played with all summer) didn't want to play with him.

I tried to be very cheerful and matter of fact about it, but my silly emotional mother's heart could just break for him, my poor little man. I'm so glad he's going back to nursery in the afternoons until he goes full time - today I couldn't have borne to take him to a strange childminder, whereas dropping him off at nursery on the way to work felt like leaving him somewhere really safe and caring. Plus, dd came running out and gave him an enormous hug, she was so pleased to see him (we had problems with her this morning because she wanted to go to school with him).

Please tell me it gets better . I had a bad time at school myself so am struggling not to project my negative feelings onto ds - but it was so hard today.

carriemac · 10/09/2002 16:35

My little man started full days this week. last week the teacher kept them inside at playtime as she felt it might have been a bit daunting for the mewbies. BTW he love school, especially prayers !

Copper · 10/09/2002 18:00

Azzie
it does get better, but if you are worried talk to the teacher. It's bound to be all strange and new at first for him, and I expect he had imagined playing with his older friends, and was disappointed. He will soon have more friends, and more understanding of what goes on in the playground. Some schools keep reception children separate at playtime. His teacher is a really important person to get to know, if you can. Best of luck - I'm sure as he finds his feet you won't worry so much.

Rara · 10/09/2002 20:28

Started school last week - very unhappy about getting up after long lie-ins of the holidays; over-tired and grumpy at bedtime;
WHY OH WHY DID I TRAIN TO BE A TEACHER..........

Azzie · 11/09/2002 08:37

Rara

Ds has gone off quite happily to school this morning (dh is taking him today), although he did sleep with his favourite cuddly toy last night which he hasn't done for months. He talked quite positively about school to dh when he got home last night, which was good - although I'm dying to ask his teacher what the Head really talked about in assembly yesterday, because ds's version of it is very strange indeed .

Copper - the school have a separate play area for the Reception children, but it is open to the main playground. I understand from ds that the 'big' children are not allowed in, although the Reception children can go out if they want. Maybe I should be focussing on the fact that my ds obviously felt brave enough to actually venture out into the big playground with all the older children.

Copper · 11/09/2002 09:26

What did ds say about assembly?

I know a little boy who was convinced they were told in their first assembly that they were not allowed to do a poo at school. He then threw hissy fits almost every morning about going into school - but some mornings were OK. His mother eventually noticed that he was happy to go if he had done a poo before school ... The head teacher could not for the life of her think what she had said that he could have thought this!

Azzie · 11/09/2002 09:59

He said they sang a song, then the headteacher (who is early 50s I would say, and doesn't seem particularly doolally to me) put on some really sad music and told them she had a baby growing in her tummy and they all had to creep about really quietly. I can't even begin to guess what was really going on.

Copper · 11/09/2002 12:33

I agree, you have to find out what this was about!

Azzie · 11/09/2002 13:54

Much happier day today (although I still haven't managed to get to the bottom of the assembly business!). Ds came out looking very serious, and my heart sank, but then proceeded to bounce home telling me "no wobbles in the playground today, not even a little one". He also told me that his teacher and the headteacher "are kinder than they look" (). When I asked him why he looked so solemn he said that he "was just trying to look school-y" (whatever that means!).

tigermoth · 11/09/2002 14:33

Of all the school terms, I think the autumn term is the nicest. My son is well used to school ( now in year 4) and happy to be back despite his constant chafing against its restrictions.

One thing I have always said to him, and will say to my other son when he starts school, is this:

This term has so much going for it: there's the harvest festival, halloween party, nativity play, christimas fair etc etc. It will be fun fun fun.
And there's lots of great moments for grown upts, too.

star · 11/09/2002 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

tigermoth · 11/09/2002 17:29

star, I was just thinking why so few other parents in the playgroung had clocked my slight tan and asked where we'd been on holiday - then I realised quite a few of them had a healthy glow too, so perhaps we were all waiting for another to ask first!

star · 11/09/2002 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

tigermoth · 11/09/2002 22:00

Thanks for asking star - now at least someone has. We went to sunny corsica.

CAM · 12/09/2002 08:50

tigermoth, where did you stay? Was it self-catering or hotel, how long did you stay and what did you do there? (I am genuinely interested as I have not been to Corsica but want to)

ariel · 12/09/2002 11:00

Just wondering does any one have a child with special needs who has just started mainstream school.Dd who now has a statement has just started reception, only mornings at the mo.She seems to like it and is coping really well, i am really worried about her going full time, not so much about her coping, she has a one to one full time so i know she will be taken care of, im worried about her feeling differant to her peers, she is incontinent so needs to wear nappies she hasnt done pe yet but im sure her peers will pick up on this.My stomach churns every time i leave her, i have a older ds so this isnt my first child to leave for school, it just feels so differant this time. With ds1 it was so easy, "normal" if you like , with dd its so difficult even getting her into school was some task and the statementeing process is awfull, everything seems to be a fight when you have a disabled child, all i have seemed to do since she was born is fight for one thing or another from treatment to benefits and now school.On the up side she is at the moment enjoying it which is i suppose all that matters.

Samkins · 13/09/2002 11:29

I have just started sending my 3 1/2 year old boy to pre-school but unfortunately he gets himself so worked up that he is sick. The school policy is that he must go home even though I know he is not ill. I do not know what to do as he is continuing to be sick and so come home. The school said that they haven't experienced this before and I should consult a GP/Health Visitor. Does anyone else have this problem or any advice. Any advice would be gratefully received

WideWebWitch · 13/09/2002 11:35

Samkins, could you go with him and stay for a few sessions or as long as it takes for him to feel settled? Maybe you would get an idea of what is worrying him then and could tackle it and give him some reassurance. Sorry you've had a bad start, hope it gets better.

Samkins · 13/09/2002 11:43

The school discorages mothers staying as they say it is disruptive. But I know he enjoys it when he is there as he is always happy afterwards (the few times he has stayed) and says he enjoys himself so I think it is just the separation from me that he can't handle

WideWebWitch · 13/09/2002 11:55

Well then, IMO the school is wrong! It's a pre-school and they should be doing everything in their power to ensure that the children are happy, including welcoming parental involvement in situtations like yours. I would either insist that you stay until he is happier (if you think it would help) or change pre-school. But this is all just what I would do in the circs, may not be right for you.

Batters · 13/09/2002 23:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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