Sad

[purpleme12]

I'm feeling so sad about her going to high school

She's been to an induction day and she's been telling me how no one really plays and everyone just huddles in little groups chatting 😢

And been telling me how there's no space outside compared to her school. No space to do gymnastics.

No playground or gym to have fun on 😢

Feel so sad

Anyone else feeling sad

Has she got friends going to the same high school? There isn’t usually playgrounds in them. There could be gymnastic clubs tho at lunch and after school

Yes she knows people going there

Just sad isn't it. She clearly still wants to play and be active and should be really. Cos why would you want to curb that ...

Please don’t pass your ‘sadness’ on to your daughter. You should be getting her excited for secondary school. She’d look odd doing gymnastics across the playground. Secondary school kids don’t do that! No time for playing… only 35 mins at our school and that’s spend going to the loo and eating.

It’s a huge change for them, usually going from small to overwhelming, it doesn’t take long for them to settle in and find things they like, sports club, book clubs etc

It’s different, not sad. You really don’t want your child in secondary acting like a primary school child.

Please don't make assumptions
I haven't passed on any sadness to my child. It's my child who's said this to me. And that's from her induction day and what she's picked up and what she likes to do

@purpleme12 I’d feel sad too and I actually remember feeling this way when I left primary.

I don’t have any advice but just wanted to say what you are feeling is a normal feeling and not odd at all xx

i think it’s a big transition but kids are very resilient. She may surprise you once she starts and finds her crowd. Like others have said there will be clubs/extra curriculum activities she can easily join. Wishing her best of luck in getting settled. X

Thank you.
I'm glad you understand

Thank you

I understand, my daughter found that transition really difficult and couldn’t understand why people just stood around in groups talking… Hopefully there will be some lunchtime clubs that she can go to?

And that's the sad part. Why is it so?

No time for playing… only 35 mins at our school and that’s spend going to the loo and eating.

Thank you
So glad you understand

I'm not sure if there's clubs at dinner or not

The more I think about it the more nervous I am about it all

She has some challenges and doesn't cope with things well and is a very active child

All this change and transistion is difficult.

We were just talking tonight about our DC who was furious there would be no afternoon playtime at secondary school. And that no one actually plays (a lover of imaginary games) but just hangs about.

Obviously they adjusted - they found the library a great sanctuary (excellent school librarian who brings in games). Secondaryvschool tend to have a variety of clubs so I hope she finds something she enjoys.

I remember feeling a bit like this going from a very small primary to a big secondary school. Very quickly I realised ok no playing at lunch break but there was choir, drama club, netball team, debate team, swimming practice before school, music practice, textiles club, just hanging out in the music room, new friends to get to know who you hadn't known for years already, those activities changed and developed over the years but she won't be bored and she won't be inactive if she doesn't want to be.

Thank you

Thank you 🤞

Yes she does like playing still
And imaginary games

The high school my DD is going to has a special play yard just for Y7, which they asked for last school year and it was a success.
Maybe worth finding out if there is a pupil council or similar?

There are quite a few three-tier set ups around my way.

Having a 9-13 Middle School I think is better

Aw this post unlocked a memory. I remember sitting on the field in year six with my best friend talking about ‘moving up to seniors’ and deciding we weren’t going to play or be silly anymore from then on, to prepare. I don’t remember it being sad, just feeling grown up but we were pretty ‘mature’ for year 6.

Mainly to reduce incidents of bullying and difficult behaviour.

It's a very normal transition. I think it's something most kids feel a little sad about when they move to secondary, the realisation that 'playing' at break time (not 'play' time anymore) is no longer cool. It's all part of growing up. Most of them catch on quickly. As sad as it is, big it up as a sign of how grown up she is now. Nobody wants their child to be teased by acting in a way which is perceived as immature, so you just help her accept it by explaining that this is one of the things that makes secondary different to primary. There will be clubs where she can find her own crowd and pursue different interests. Those who want to be active still are, but through sports rather than playground chasing games.

By year 5 & 6 most are chatting at lunchtime, neither of my dc’s schools had playground equipment past infant school, that’s definitely unusual - is it a tiny school she goes to? She’ll adapt but it’s certainly age appropriate to be chatting at lunchtime- we used to be reading smash hits and learning all the words!