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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Anyone want a secondary transfer support thread?

345 replies

HarrietJones · 13/06/2011 09:19

dd1 is going up in September, had an interview with her year tutor last week and induction days in a couple of weeks.
I've started looking at uniform & it's getting closer!

OP posts:
Fennel · 02/09/2011 08:49

PE smellies? I still have to force dd1 into the shower at home and chase her with a hairbrush. She's not one to bother with soap much. Perhaps luckily she's very small for 11 (she fits 8yo clothes still) and not at all pubescent, no pre-teen hormones at all.

DD1 is off today with all her old class 6 kids to the local theme park, one of the parents arranged it, a last primary school jolly, so she's in a terribly good mood and very much looking forward to starting on Monday. most of them are going to the same secondary which is nice for her, and rare for our primary. and she can walk or cycle it with friends.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 09:00

well done 2gorgeous.
dd also safely dispatched. We parked nearby and I gave her a sneaky kiss which she wriggled out of and then I walked her to close to the school. There were teachers waiting outside - all men dressed in suits. She looked so scared and alone. Silly soppy me burst into tears when I got back in the car.

LIZS · 02/09/2011 09:16

Well done those who have already started. Also got to coerce ds into having deoderant etc for after pe. He's supposed to pick up the school bus from the next village but would you give emergency cash and if so how much ?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 09:19

I gave dd a fiver in a purse which she has hidden. She wont need it today but it is enough to cover getting on the wrong bus.

Didnt give her any change for the phone though!

Toffeefudgecake · 02/09/2011 10:14

Well done, OhYou and 2gorgeous - be kind to yourselves today. Good tip about the goodbye kiss. Since yesterday, I have started getting teary about it all - I was doing so well until then. I have no idea how I will stop myself crying when I wave goodbye on Monday, but I must. I have told DS1 I will miss him though and he was very sweet about it, but is obviously longing for a bit more independence.

God, it's hard, this letting go business, isn't it?

Fennel - that's great that your girl is meeting up with her friends today, so they will be used to each other again before school starts. Both my boys are seeing their best friends today, for the same reason.

DS1 and his friend (going to the same secondary) are going to walk to the secondary together today, with me trailing a long way behind. It means DS will have had another practise walk (his friend has done it lots of times on his own). Then I'm taking them swimming.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 11:10

Only four hours left until she finishes her first day..... I have bought papers and I'm going to treat myself to an afternoon read in the garden (as I start work next week - why not eh?)

2gorgeousboys · 02/09/2011 11:14

Thank you everyone - I was doing well until I made the mistake of looking at the pictures we took this morning of him in his uniform - now had a good sob whilst DS2 gave me a hug and said "it's ok Mummy, he'll be home soon" bless him. Sad

DS1 took money for his lunch plus some change in case he needs to use the phone and a list with mine and DH's mobile number on just in case (although he only has a 10 minute walk home!)

Don't know about you Ohyou but I keeo looking at the clock and wondering what he'll be doing and if he's ok. Everyone with children starting next week make sure you find plenty to keep you busy - I can't believe it's only 11am!

Trying to rstrain myself from walking into the village and wandering past even though I know he'll be in class and I won't be able to see him, like when he started primary and I wanted to sit in the car outside school to make sure he had someone to play with at playtime Blush

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 11:27

I keep wondering too! she will have had a break now and its about an hour before lunch (I hope I packed her enough)
oh this is silly, struggling to concentrate on things to do.

Toffeefudgecake · 02/09/2011 12:32

Thanks for the tip about keeping busy, 2gorgeous. I have invited a friend round after the school run on Monday - I hope I'm not a blubbery wreck. Not too long to go now, OhYou and 2. I hope both your children have had a good first day. I'm sure the schools will have done everything to make it as easy as possible.

2gorgeous - that is very sweet of your younger son. He's probably missing his older brother too.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 13:18

2 hours to go Grin

That was a good plan TFC - I phoned friends today and no-one was in.

2gorgeousboys · 02/09/2011 13:49

An hour and a half to go! I think you're right Toffee DS2 is missing him and will find it very strange on Monday when he goes back to primary school without DS1.

We are going to take the dog for a walk in a bit and may just happen to be outside school at home time!

Ohyou hope you're doing ok and enjoying your afternoon with the papers.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 16:12
Grin

dd is home safely and had a fab day. She has made friends with someone, though doesnt know what they are called as she can't pronounce their name Hmm She likes her DT teacher (male) very much Grin She even managed to negotiate going to the office to get her bus pass.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 16:12

How about your ds 2gorgeous?

2gorgeousboys · 02/09/2011 17:07

Well done Ohmy and Ohmy's DD Grin

DS not only survived but came home smiling and full of what they've been doing today. He has been chattering like mad since he walked in the door.

He has made a couple of friends and likes the teachers he has met although he has not met his main form teacher yet as she does not work Fridays and was off on his induction day Hmm which is disappointing as she will be ours and his main contact at the school.

Only slight negative is that DS did not have a drink all day as he was worried about how much things cost at lunchtime and if he would have enough money to buy a drink as well and unlike primary school there was not the same access to water during the day (he's used to having free access to a water bottle). So I'm going to send him with some water for break time and lunch time when he goes back next week. Just wanted to mention it in case it helps anyone with DC's starting next week.

We are going to chill out tonight and have movie night now.

Good luck to everyone for next week and make sure you let us know how they get on.

Coconutty · 02/09/2011 17:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/09/2011 17:49

Phew cocnutty!

2gorgeousboys · 02/09/2011 18:02

Whoops - sorry Ohyou and Ohyou's DD not Ohmy Blush - it's been a long, hard day!

Coconutty it's such a relief to know they have not only survived the day but enjoyed it too isn't it.

The phone has not stopped ringing and beeping with family and friends wanting to know how DS has got on, so he's feeling very pleased with himself.

Hope those with DC's starting on Monday manage to enjoy the weekend and not worry too much (she says!) I'm sure on Monday I'll be stressing again - it will be the first day the whole school will be in as it was just year 7's today.

Toffeefudgecake · 02/09/2011 19:17

It's so encouraging to hear how much your DC enjoyed their first days, Coco, 2gorgeous and Ohyou - and well done to all of you for getting through the day. Thanks for the hint about water, 2gorgeous. DS has to take a water bottle in to school with him, so hopefully that won't be a problem.

DS did his last practise walk to school today - walking with a friend who will be walking with him on Monday. I trailed along some distance behind them, watching how they crossed the roads - then lost sight Shock. They reappeared 15 minutes later, having taken a detour to look at some 'rude things' in a local shop (jelly beans shaped like boobs and penises, apparently!). DS really enjoyed his taste of freedom and actually said he was looking forward to school on Monday. I never thought I'd hear him say that.

Hope you all have a lovely, relaxing weekend. Having a movie night is a great idea, 2gorgeous.

Jools0812 · 02/09/2011 19:56

Can I join!
PFB (only DS) starts on Tuesday. Bus pass arrived today -he has an hours bus ride each morning...it leaves at 7.35 and he has a 20 min walk to the bus stop..not looking forward to the struggle to get him out of bed..At primary I struggled to get him up before 8!. I have been given permission to walk with him to the bus stop on the first day as we dont know how many are going on the official school bus(most are going Stagecoach)
Fingers crossed we have made the right decision we decided not to go with the catchment school or the more popular 'posh' school that most of his YR 6 class are going to(ds has had bullying over school choice as our choice isnt the best performing school but its the one we liked and felt most comfortable with). I have a terminal illness so pastoral care was really important and this school so far have been brilliant.
He knows his tutor and loved his taster day. We went to school on wednesday to check where he gets off and on the buses(two different spots). Uniform all bought and lablelled(its HUGE on him!). Spent the summer learning how to tie a tie!
Will be weeping on tuesday once he has gone but have made plans to do something
Good luck to everyone!
Jools

Toffeefudgecake · 02/09/2011 22:15

Welcome, Jools. You are right to go with your gut instinct. It sounds as if your son is already off to a good start if he loved his taster day. And it's a very good sign that you say the school have been brilliant about pastoral care so far. Your son will pick up on your good feelings about the school and it will give him confidence. I'm so very sorry to hear about your illness and hope the school will be able to give you and your son all the support you need.

Best of luck on Tuesday.

Original poster
HarrietJones · 03/09/2011 09:57

Just marking my place for Wednesday!

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/09/2011 17:13

Welcome to the thread Jools and HarrietJ :)
Sounds like a good choice Jools, it is always a compromise finding the right school but if it feels right then it probably is!

OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/09/2011 17:13

oh just thought of something that occurred to me - if you have chance pick up some paper for covering books. dd hasnt been set that for homework yet but it wouldnt surprise me if that request comes home.

breadandbutterfly · 03/09/2011 19:56

What kind of paper do you cover books with? Saw some reference to that and haven't the faintest idea what the school was talking about.

whoknowswho · 03/09/2011 20:01

We always used the sticky back plastic at junior school!! Would that not be considered cool at high???

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