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Secondary education

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

Original poster

PE kit for first day at secondary?

18 replies

HauntedLittleLunatic · 21/08/2012 17:59

I have DTDs starting secondary school next week. Should they take their PE kit on the first day (they won't know their timetable)?

What did/will yours do?

OP posts:
TunaPastaBake · 21/08/2012 18:17

My Ds starts week after next - not sending him in with PE kit as they will initially not have anywhere to put it , and when he gets a locker they will not be big enough. So looks like they have to take it in when they are timetabled to do it.

amck5700 · 21/08/2012 18:46

I was thinking to send it - someone else on here said that their son got PE first day and only 3 kids had their kit. PE kit consists of t-shirt/shorts and a pair of trainers - shouldn't be that hard to carry considering he has no books and is having a school lunch - he has a whole school bag just for his pencil case and a memory stick!

jo164 · 21/08/2012 18:54

I'm a PE teacher, and for what its worth I wouldn't expect children to have kit on the first day. They will probably spend all morning with their tutor going through timetables, homework, assembly, what is expected of them etc etc etc.... so will only have afternoon lessons. Most PE teachers would just use the time to explain what activities they will be doing that term, what bits of kit they will need, and answer any questions.

teacherwith2kids · 21/08/2012 18:57

We were explicitly told NOT to send in PE kit, and that the first timetabled PE slot would be taken up with a full explanation of exactly which kit was required on which day of the 2 week timetable format which I can't get my head round at all

I'm presuming that with rugby, and smelly teenagers, there will be an expectation that PE kit goes into school as needed and comes home to be washed, rather than the 'half term on a hook' process in primary...

Hopeforever · 21/08/2012 18:58

We told DS's school the problem he had on his first day, carrying everything and then not needing it. We asked the school to tell future year 7's not to bring it on the first day. Something so simple makes a huge difference

hoodoo12345 · 21/08/2012 18:59

I'm not sending my DD in with hers, there is far too much of it to lug about if it isn't necessary.

Jodidi · 21/08/2012 19:00

We always assume kids won't have pe kit on the first day in September. Some bring it but not many, so it makes it easier to assume they won't have it.

cheesesarnie · 21/08/2012 19:01

ds1 has a timetable, not sure if he has pe that day but if he has he can take it and put it in his sisters locker.

amck5700 · 21/08/2012 19:05

teacher - I can't believe that people don't wash gym kit after every use regardless of age - I always do/did and I think that is the norm - my boys had two sets (2 gym sessions a week) and brought it home and swapped it for clean after each lesson.

Original poster
HauntedLittleLunatic · 21/08/2012 19:30

Thanks. Pe kit here is shorts, t shirt, hoodie, tracksuit bottoms and trainers so quite hefty.

I was thinking of compromising and suggesting that they only take the shorts and t shirt with trainers but think I will go with the majority on this thread and send with nothing.

OP posts:
amck5700 · 21/08/2012 20:11

Ours also have trackie bottoms and fleece for outdoor winter but wasn't thinking of sending that in for a good while yet (mainly cos I am still waiting on it from the uniform shop!) At the moment I have settled on sticking it in the boot of the car and seeing if the majority of kids have gym bags with them before I give it to him.

lljkk · 22/08/2012 10:26

Useful thread, thanks for starting it. Thanks.

longingforsomesleep · 22/08/2012 10:31

Agree it's unlikely to be needed on day 1. But remember, school offices will be open at the moment (they're dealing with exam results and admissions) so you can always ring the school and check.

zeeboo · 22/08/2012 10:36

Ours are specifically told to just bring lunch money and a pencil case.

IShallWearMidnight · 22/08/2012 10:40

at least the first PE lesson will be taken up with telling them what kind of stuff they'll be doing, listing out the rules, and threatening them with detentions for ever if they forget one tiny piece of kit Wink.

First day of Y7 is unlikely to be a full timetable day in any case, as they need to get their timetables, have assemblies, do stuff in tutor groups. First day kit (unless told otherwise) would be pencil case, water, lunch/cash for lunch depending on your school set up (but might be worth taking at least a cereal bar/crisps/snack anyway) and nothing else.

It is horrid though - at primary school they handhold the parents through what you need to do, and then at secondary, no-one tells you anything Sad.

eatyourveg · 22/08/2012 12:10

at our school the Y7 always have PE on the first day as a sort of team building / ice breaker thing. - ring the school and ask

Groovee · 22/08/2012 12:12

Dd spent 3 days on induction and knew PE was the Thursday and she started on the Wednesday. Had she needed it, I would have met her with it as I was home that day x

ClaireRacing · 22/08/2012 17:17

Yes, take in the PE kit.

They may have PE (somebody has to have it), and may have kit checks.

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