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Original poster

Jan/Feb locals chat

990 replies

SJ99 · 22/01/2008 18:10

How exciting to be starting thread

Yay, thanks Sfx, am already looking forward to banana bread, mmmm!

In Sweden they had Noise Police (everything is so formally governed over there) but what a great idea, they used to go and put a stop the noise polluters, no messing.

OP posts:
Original poster
SJ99 · 27/02/2008 09:20

It said in the news that it was the biggest quake 5.5 on richter scale the Uk had seen in 25yrs, emanating from Lincoln but could be felt as far as Birmingham and Essex!

Looking at primary and secondary as it dawned on me yesterday that the secondary school in Hampton is not the best so the alternative is to go private or move again! It is quite complicated as many secondary school admissions are linked and a several of the schools that they are linked to are religious ones which DS wouldn't get into. I figured if we were payinga premium to live here then we might as well try and live in the right area...of course nothing set in stone but it's a start

Anyway best go as need to get to parking shop now

OP posts:
sfxmum · 27/02/2008 09:24

SJ I know the entire school system in England is puzzling and quite depressing for it implications. I have a fair idea now of which schools, at secondary level for dd, if we ever have a boy then it will be another story.

btw never ventured out to Eel island, sounds faintly creepy

slng - as a foreigner I probably would not have given schools much thought but for watching my sister struggling to sort it out for her kid, now in secondary.

about the quake was just before 1am

slng · 27/02/2008 09:47

Cleaner just left. Have clean house for the next 4 hours. Hurrah! (But she threw away all the twigs collected yesterday, so there might be trouble later on.)

I think I'm a bit blase about schools in general. My obsession is that the children should learn Chinese. Everything else I'm sure they'll learn somehow. Hopefully. At worst I can teach them. Ha ha ha.

Kewcumber · 27/02/2008 09:52

pmsl slng "one has a fight every Friday. Predictability is something, i suppose ..." how have we not met, our sense of humours seem very aligned (senses of humour?)

Kewcumber · 27/02/2008 09:53

slng this might be a slightly bizarre thing to say but there is quite a sizable coimmunity of adopted chinese girls in the Richmond area many of whom are learning mandarin (seems most popular) do you want me to find out where/how?

fitfox · 27/02/2008 09:55

SJ we decided which primary we wanted for the DCs a year before the first DC was conceived and moved in order to ensure we were in the correct catchment area. Imagine how alarmed I was when he didn't get a place!!! - He did get one two weeks later but I had two weeks of sleepless nights. @Cos he was a millenium baby it was extra competitive (more babies than average that year) so will be the same when he reaches 11.

Christs's school is the most improving school in Richmond and is wildly over subscribed since it came back into Richmond and its CoE. Waldegrave good for girls. Orleans OK too but wouldn't fancy Grey Court - has always been a bit dodgy since I was a kid. I think the trick is to pay or pray.

We've looked at schools in Wiltshire too and suprisingly they are even worse than the Richmond secondary's (the primary's are noewhere near as good in Wiltshire). I think its not just a London thing.

...am away on my work jolly and having a comfort break atm. The room was too hot and I woke up too early but the meal last night was fabby.

BTW does anyone have a copy of Baby Whisperer I could borrow for a couple of weeks? DS2 is "improving" in his sleep habits but could still do with some more tips on his night wakings.

fitfox · 27/02/2008 09:57

Slng - some primaries are offering Mandarin now - DCs school did and we put our names down but there was not enough uptake last year for classes to go ahead but I reckon lots more schools will offer it in future.

Rose - at that stupid woman - its unbeleivably irresponsible

slng · 27/02/2008 10:02

Kew - If it's not too much trouble could you find out about the mandarin lessons? I know there's a chinese school in Acton for saturday lessons but haven't checked it out yet. Also have a friend in Kingston who probably wants her dd to have lessons. I devote most of my waking hours sourcing and making Chinese books ... Perhaps I am too obsessed ... Note to self: must get a life.

I spend my school days ignoring school and I think I survived pretty well, so hopefully if I ignore it it wouldn't be a problem. The Ostrich Principle.

sfxmum · 27/02/2008 10:07

on a completely different subject my skin seem to be having some sort of nervous breakdown,
spots and very dry at the same time

I expect my hormone have gone bonkers again

slng my nephew goes to a big comprehensive which had an awful reputation but has been improving remarkably, he seems quite happy there socially but complains that some teachers are not very good and he certainly is not 'pushed' or nurtured as his sister in a much smaller all girl school.

foxie hope you are enjoying your time away

ros are you feeling better today?

sfxmum · 27/02/2008 10:10

regarding language dh make more of an effort teaching dd Portuguese than I do.
I don't want her to go to formal classes as she would probably end up with a continental accent and that would annoy me

Kewcumber · 27/02/2008 10:13

will find out what I can - can't remember which area you live in ... was it isleworth/st margarets?

slng · 27/02/2008 10:20

Kew - I live in Hanwell.

Kewcumber · 27/02/2008 10:27

is that hanwell nr Ealing or feltham - I know one is hanworth and one is hanwell but I can never remember which is which.

Paddlechick666 · 27/02/2008 10:28

Kew are you still going to art class on sat? Can you link it for me or put the tel number up so I can book too.
I am really feeling the pressure at work at the moment. Spending most eves working after dd has gone to bed.
Quite enjoy it but it's exhuasting and I feel guilty for dd that she doesn't have my full attention.
Mornings are mad rush out the door. Evenings are mad rush home, bath, story and bed.
Regretting offeribg to host sunday lunch on mother's day now!
Sj, quite like the idea of dd and your ds being in same class. They can tell their mates they met via the net lol. Glad to hear you're staying in the area.

slng · 27/02/2008 10:59

Kew - hanwell near ealing!

sfxmum · 27/02/2008 12:05

calling clever typing people
how do you type so that you get ~ ^ , etc over and under the letters? please? I can only do it using the dictionary and it is annoying

many thanks

Kewcumber · 27/02/2008 12:45

www.artytots.co.uk/ - if you ring can you book for me too. I wouldn't normally say you need to book but mothers day may be more popular.

Don't know sfx - don't type any of that foreign lingo.

rosmerta · 27/02/2008 12:54

Sorry sfx I don't know!

Foxie, I think I still have a copy of the Baby Whisperer, I'll have a look around for you.

Re schools, fortunately we're as close as we can be to our preferred primary school so fingers crossed we'll get into that one. As for secondary, there's an ok Catholic boys only school just up the road so, if we're still here, then I guess we'll try for that one. But there's so long to go before ds will even be going to secondary school that it will probably all have changed!

MrsRecycle · 27/02/2008 12:56

Hi everyone! Have just about got back on my feet after catching dh's awful flu bug. It has really wiped me out and I couldn't even switch the pc on (so that ill!).

Hope you had a lovely day at the farm. The Toy Museum was brilliant and really easy to get to (even on the tube). Its such a great place (no where for the kids to run off to) for young and old. Will definitely be going back soon.

rosmerta · 27/02/2008 13:21

MrsR, that sounds awful, glad you're feeling better though

eleusis · 27/02/2008 13:54

Sushi, just replied to your e-mail. A couple more points to make are:

The job of writing the contract is yours. You are legally obliged to provide your employee with a contract within one month of her starting the job. I suggest you write a fixed term contract if you want to protect yourself against possible redundancy (after 2 years) and maternity pay. A fixed term contract ends when the term expires and you do not need any reason to termininate the arrangement.

It doesn't matter whether she is ofsted or otherwie registered. Nannies need not be registered/licensed in any way. ANyone who leagally entitled to work in the country can be hired as a nanny. But, since she works at the nursery she most likely is CRB checked and Ofsted registered. I personally think this is a good think. Some would disagree, but I think that if you are going to take on the role of employer and all the chores and expenses that come with it you should be entitled to decide by your own criteria who is and is not qualified to look after your children. I'm all for childminders being registered because they serve the public. But, if you want me to fork over employer taxes and a whole host of other expenses and time consuming management tasks, then I want the right to define the job as I see fit.

Oh, I've gone on and on... I better shut up.

SushiMummy · 27/02/2008 14:01

THANK YOU, ELE!!!

I owe you a drink (or two).

Kewcumber · 27/02/2008 14:01

slng have had one response so far which is not from someone local but a generic website www.ukfcs.info/ukfcs%20eng%20website/english%20main.html

Ele did you see the link to the craft place below - I know you were interested.

eleusis · 27/02/2008 14:10

I did spot it. Thanks Kew. But, I have a little battle on the domestic fron that I forgot about. I have to clear time at the crafty place on Saturday with DH, and we already battle over the saturday schedule. But I would like to get DD and possibly DS into some crafty activities.

This weekend is very busy with nanny handover. Current one finishes tomorrow night and we pick up the new on at Heathrow on Sat. Busy busy busy... (I really ought to get off of mumsnet!)

slng · 27/02/2008 14:15

Thanks Kew. I think I've found this before - the acton school is part of the organisation. I have some doubts about weekend schools - mainly because it will take up too much of our milling-about-aimlessly time which I guard jealously, but also because I don't know how good the teaching is. Arguably bad teaching is worse than no teaching. But I guess the only way to find out is to go and visit them, which I shall do at some point. I wish I wasn't so lazy...