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Original poster

A thread for boarding school parents 2020

282 replies

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 31/07/2020 11:45

Have we got such a thread?
I did look but couldn’t see one.
If we haven’t wouldn’t anyone like to join me in this thread to support each other during these strange times. Getting a child off to boarding school is hard enough anyway for so many reasons but it’s decidedly more difficult at this time.
How are you all doing?

OP posts:
Rainallnight · 04/09/2020 23:35

No DC in boarding school but just stumbled across this thread and am aghast at all the stitching of labels. Do boarding schools not allow iron on/stick on ones?

Original poster
TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 05/09/2020 00:34

@Rainallnight

No DC in boarding school but just stumbled across this thread and am aghast at all the stitching of labels. Do boarding schools not allow iron on/stick on ones?
They don’t do too well going through school laundries
OP posts:
limeandpickle · 05/09/2020 09:08

I just wanted to post as have been quiet since this post started, but I've been watching everyone's experiences and advise. Thank you all! It's been a comfort to know so many of you are going through the same thing as me, and as for all the sewing ShockShock

My ds started at his new school boarding for the first time on Tuesday, and I'm due to pick him up today for his first weekend home!
One thing I recommend is to send them off which extra naming labels for things that they can put on themselves at school! I sent some rugby boots in the post to him directly from a shop so they now won't be named (hopefully not lost already!) and I realised it would be handy for him to have some labels at school.

I was saddened to see many of you couldn't go into the dorms and unpack for your children. We had allocated slots to do that, and to have meetings with various staff. This meant we didn't overlap with other families. It's a shame that all schools have such different policies with it all.....

Anyway good luck everyone, my son have absolutely LOVED his first week, we get such excited phone calls every evening which has just been so wonderful to hear- I hope you all have as positive experiences 🥳

Londonmummy66 · 06/09/2020 15:57

Hope all the DC are settling in - dropped No 1 on the pavement outside on Friday and No2 today - we were at least allowed to bring the car on site although not into the buildings.

DD2 was apprehensive but met up with a group of her year bringing their bikes to school on the train including someone in her dorm so had someone to arrive with and show her where to go.

It's very quiet here without them.

limeandpickle · 06/09/2020 18:45

Wow Londonmummy, time to put your feet up now, bet you're exhausted!

Does anyone have any ideas of what to send in the post for year 8 boys? Really struggling to come up with ideas and not allowed to send tuck...

ChequerBoard · 06/09/2020 20:22

I send both my postcards using the Touchnote app. You upload a photo (usually a family pic or funny shots of our pets) and write the back of the card which they then print and send. These have been really popular with both my boarders as they are easy to pin up on their notice boards and are nice reminders of home.

OublietteBravo · 06/09/2020 20:27

Can I join? DS started boarding last Wednesday. He’s in Y10 (he’s been at his current school since Y4). He’s a weekly boarder, so he’s home at the moment. We weren’t allowed into the boarding house at all when we dropped him off. Which was a bit strange. And apparently he’s doing prep in his dorm - I fear this will allow him to procrastinate, but I suppose time will tell.

limeandpickle · 07/09/2020 20:55

Chequerboard that's such a brilliant idea thank you!! I'm on it tomorrow!

Londonmummy66 · 07/09/2020 22:25

I send mine little bits and pieces so just sent DC1 a set of pens with dogs on as likes dogs. Have a similar set with cats for DD who is a cat person. Otherwise small books on subjects they like, toiletries etc. Basically think what you'd put in a Christmas stocking....

BeenAndCameBack · 08/09/2020 08:12

Hello! Can I join you? How are you all getting on?

DS leaves tomorrow and whilst we are sooooo excited about the opportunity, my heart is breaking! He boarded pre-Covid but could come back at weekends. This will be more hardcore.

I’ll have an empty nest, and I’m really struggling with these thoughts!

BeenAndCameBack · 08/09/2020 08:15

@Rainallnight

No DC in boarding school but just stumbled across this thread and am aghast at all the stitching of labels. Do boarding schools not allow iron on/stick on ones?
I started a thread on this yesterday while sewing mine! As a PP said, schools prefer stitched as the industrial washing machines make iron-on ones fall off, but also, ours have laundry codes on them.
Original poster
TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 10/09/2020 16:20

I don’t have an empty nest but my 3rd started at the weekend with her older siblings and now I only have one at home so it’s very very quiet. Especially as he went back today. This is the most I’ve missed them. Maybe because I always had a couple at least to deal with anyway and maybe because they’ve been home so long. It’s been lovely having them here.

OP posts:
BeenAndCameBack · 11/09/2020 10:54

Yes, TheWoman it’s weird but having the workload at home! My days are very long, all of a sudden...

Reports back show he’s happy so far, so that is good! Need to find some new projects though...

Ifeelmuchlessfat · 11/09/2020 20:27

Does anyone with kids in BS for some time know is it’s ever possible to switch house? My ds is really miserable, wants to be a day boy or, at least, switch to a house with the kids from his classes who he actually likes. Thanks for any advice.

OublietteBravo · 11/09/2020 20:33

My DS started off as a day boy and switched to being a boarder. His preferred boarding house wasn’t the one associated with his day house. So he was switched into the day house that is partnered with his preferred boarding house. It doesn’t seem to have been an issue.

OublietteBravo · 11/09/2020 20:35

Talk to the school. It will probably depend on whether they have space in a different boarding house. It may also depend on how they are working the Covid bubbles (although if he were to switch after half term/Christmas when he’ll have been out of school for 2+ weeks, then that might be less of a problem).

Ifeelmuchlessfat · 11/09/2020 20:52

Thanks, yes I think that Covid will make it all more difficult.
He’s a sixth former and knows what he likes, and he just doesn’t like the lads in his house, they’re loud and sporty and he’s quiet and academic. Wants to be a day boy really but, failing that, a house move might help. I’ve asked him to speak to the school as he’s old enough to do so, but will follow up if he doesn’t get anywhere.

Sparticle · 11/09/2020 22:27

Hi all - sorry I’ve been quiet but everything has been fine here, apart from the total lack of communication from DS! Which I know has been a good sign from the two snatched conversations I’ve had with him when I have managed to call him when his phone’s actually been on Hmm

Anyway we picked him up tonight and it’s been so lovely - I thought he’d be so exhausted after nearly two weeks away that he wouldn’t want to talk much but he’s been happy and chatty and I’ve taken full advantage of that by asking him hundreds of questions Grin

We have a quiet weekend planned as I think that’s what he will need (and he has some homework to get done) but I’m just loving having him home. To tell you the truth, I’ve not been sitting at home crying because I know 100% this is the right thing for him - and DH and I have been proved totally right in that - but nonetheless, when I saw him come out of the house tonight my heart burst to see him. And how is it possible for children to grow up seemingly by years after just the first couple of weeks at secondary school?!

1805 · 12/09/2020 12:37

re sewing name tapes,
at Ds's school, each boarding house has a "sewing lady" (I guess it could be a man as well, but ds's house had a lady). She would sew any repairs or labels in for them. Grin

OublietteBravo · 12/09/2020 12:42

We can pay the uniform shop to sew name tapes on for us - but it is £1 per garment.

BeenAndCameBack · 13/09/2020 10:18

I love the idea of a “sewing lady” (or man!). Our local uniform shop does them for £1 too (maybe we live in the same town, @OublietteBravo!). but the bane of my life is doing the “smallest” - pants, socks, casuals... Main uniform was all done by the school shop. Hurrah!

Had a phone call. All good. He is super busy by sounds happy. I need to find new things to do, have been doing lots of social things so far.

BeenAndCameBack · 13/09/2020 10:21

@Ifeelmuchlessfat

Does anyone with kids in BS for some time know is it’s ever possible to switch house? My ds is really miserable, wants to be a day boy or, at least, switch to a house with the kids from his classes who he actually likes. Thanks for any advice.
Please speak to the school.

I had similar to a PP, but the other way around. Son started as a day boy and went to boarding. Was put in day boarding house but wanted to be in “full” boarders’ house. They let him do this.

It probably depends on the school, but ours seemed reasonably flexible.

1805 · 14/09/2020 22:07

Mine receive a tuck parcel from Grandparents once a term. They love it! They never tell the dc when they're sending them, so it's always a surprise when they receive them.

ChequerBoard · 15/09/2020 10:52

I sent each of mine one of the postbox sized 3 biscuit sets from Biscuiteers last week with a personalised message and a gift card.

They went down well.

petitdonkey · 16/09/2020 10:56

Hi all, please can I join you? I have been searching for a thread like this! DS is a day boy at a predominantly boarding school, DD joined him this year but asked to board! It is a whole new world for me.

One house is already in lockdown and DDs house has lockdown the sixth form centre so exit might be in jeopardy next week.

She has settled in incredibly well and loves it!

(Plus, my name tapes arrived the day after she left - oops. I made do with iron on and a stamp which was brilliant for smalls!)