New Year 7s - how are they getting on

[Madmog]

One week into their new school, how are out new Year 7s getting on?

They seem to be moving my daughter onto the next level workwise which is good as she got very little out of last year (she's fairly bright and there's only so much they can do with them). She's only had two lots of homework, but we know there's lots to come.

She was really excited last week, this week the novelty has warn off - she was threatened with detention if she's late for French next time - unfortunately it's a massive comp with 1500 plus pupils, the map they've been given isn't 100% correct and she's not one for running off down corridors like her friends have been doing and keeping up with them, so I think she's a little worried - she is a hard worker, fairly well behaved, with a good set of friends so has never had to worry about being in trouble. Her friend was also threatened with detention for forgetting her french book, so she's a little worried as well.

On the positive side, she's got her four best friends in her tutor group and has already made friends with a girl in another tutor group who she's been meeting regularly and texting.

My 2 DS love it, but are over anxious about everything in case they make a mistake and get detention! Biggest problems seem to be with organising themselves and with friendship groups. They both went up with friends from primary, and are in totally seperate forms (there were 4 sets of twins going up from their small primary class of 16kids, and they are all spread around 4 form groups) DS1 has already made several new friends, and DS2 only 1, so he keeps coming over to his brother during breaks, which, for some reason, DS1 finds annoying!
Also had a problem with instrument lessons(had filled and sent back form in June, but they were somehow missed off the list) which has been sorted, school bus(DS2 stopped the bus as his brother was not on it, v annoyed driver) and lost homework(already!) so school receptionist already getting to know them (and me!)v well. Hoping that as time goes on things will get a little less stressful!
Also, only just found out you do not have to print everything off for homework, but can email it to teacher or download to a memory stick!

phlebas - GET INTO THE SCHOOL - if they don't like it then tough!! To hell with appointments, if you've requested information and it's not forthcoming and no one seems to be listening - go there and make them listen!! It's your DD's future no one elses!!
And as regards detentions for anything - go tell them to take a hike big time for at least the first month!! They're still learning and finding their feet - I think anyone who 'threatens' a detention for a child who has been there a week needs a SERIOUS rethink about their career path. Okay - new teacher - been there one week - threatened with having to go to the head to explain their actions over their teaching methods, behaviour or what ever - wouldn't be tolerated (unless they were a walking disaster area!) so why should a child be threatened with it at the start of their senior education!! A child should not have to put up with that when they have just started senior school - they are stressed enough!!

Can I ask how much homework your DC is getting? DS has 1-2 pieces every night, usually has a couple of days to do or a week if bigger project. Last Fri he had 3 pieces!

Bump

Thanks Tiggy- just trying to get him into the routine of doing it when he gets it!

2 pieces a night except wednesday when she has 3

I have kept on at my 2 doing homework as it is given, and they chose to ignore that advice, the reslt was that they have spent most of the day getting their homework finished, and have not been able to go out with their mates, a lesson learned, i hope!

I disagree about not giving DTs - I am a year 7 form tutor (and an experienced teacher). I have had several of my tutees in for DTs - never for a first offence but if what I have asked to be done hasn't been done on the second time of asking it will be a DT. However, I have never shouted at a child which I think is degrading but I will bring them back 10 minutes early from their lunch. I am nice to the children I have on DT and I don't think any child would say they are scared of me giving them one - jut annoyed to miss out on play time.

I don't think you can give teachers a hard time about giving out DTs as it usually comes from above that that it what has to be done. New teachers in particular will want to be seen to tow the line. The other issue is if you decide not to give DTs because they are year 7 it can be difficult to implement them later on, leading to behaviour problems.

In addition, if you have any concerns re: your child please contact the school. I've only known my form for 2 weeks and as yet can't pick out which ones re unhappy as I have nothing to compare it to as I didn't know them before. A good form tutor will want to know if your child is unhappy so they can help.

Homework battle continues here, they just seem to fight SH and I on it every evening, I have now decided to not nag them, I will say it once, then give a reminder after about an hour, then try to ignore and wait for the inevitable panicked meltdown on the morning it is due in, and continue to stand my ground. If its not done in time, or rushed and looks awful, they will just have to take the consequences!

jut wanted to say that we have established contact wit the school!

We've exchanged emails with form teacher & head of year & have had a phone conversation with dd's form teacher ... all feeling much happier. We have a few issues remaining but feel that they are surmountable now. DD had a wobble on Friday, but it was dealt with well by the school & on balance she is still very happy :)

phlebas Glad you are finally getting things settled, must admit, contact with our school activly encoraged, either direct with the lesson tutor via email, or form tutor or head of year, HT even has fortnightly "drop in" sessions if we want to see her about anything, as well as an appointment diary. I was one of the things that helped get them a really good Ofsted report last June.

All good, except this, which I'm quite annoyed about.

dd started her second ever period, and can't quite get to grips with tampons just yet. Gave a note to the teacher asking to be excused swimming, and was given a Code (disciplinary - 3 in a week = DT) for not having brought her shorts and t-shirt so she could do different PE! I didn't bloody know there'd be other PE on offer, or I'd have sent her with it, but to discipline and humiliate an 11 year old in an already awkward situation was really quite unpleasant, I think.

Am trying not to say too much to dd as I don't want her hating this teacher, I want her to get over it and we'll know better another time. But GRRR.

DS is having a wobbly . It has all gone swimmingly so far ... until last night.

We had severe reservations about the school because it is a serious, single sex sporty school and DS is not sporty in the least. It seemed the best of a bad job, so we went for it.

DS is finding it very serious, no one has much fun (we noticed there wasn't much laughing and smiling when we looked around) and he finds the atmosphere heavy going (very strict - lots of detentions given out). On the plus side, he gets to go and come back with his primary school friends, and we have a decent standard of living (because our other main option was private, which would have been a great strain).

I'm not sure how much this seriousness is going to be the case in any secondary school - presumably good secondary school are going to be strict.

We have told him to hang in there and he needs to give it time. We wouldn't consider re-thinking for at least a year.

What does everyone else think? Are most secondary schools very strict/heavy going?

TOSN- That is really poor, can you have a quiet word with her form teacher or head of year to voice your concerns, humiliation is not a tool to get the best out of your pupils!
Farrow, are they just being strict at the start of a new year to establish authority, or do you think it will be an ongoing thing, and also, is he actually enjoying the lessons? I ask this as my 2 are having fun in lessons, and learning better because of it, but the rules of conduct at breaks, lesson changeover etc are quite strict in order for chaos to be held in check! Mind you, there is some laughter going on during break times, so there are lighter moments. The fact it is not a CoEd school might also have something to do with it. I think you should observe for a term and then make your mind up, are there really no other available state secondary schools, even if it meant travelling a bit further

bubby It is known for being very strict.

No, he doesn't enjoy them and is bored. His primary school teachers raved about his enthusiasm for learning - he is v academic but not enjoying his learning now.

Then, maybe, farrow unless things chang soon, you do need to look elsewhere, I don't think wasting a year at that school is going to help him academically, and certainly not socially,

DS is having a ball :)

Transition is being very well handled, first week no homework, currently 1 or 2 pieces each night that MUST be in the next day so no longer timescales to manage. Longer projects start later on once any teething problems have been ironed out and the 'do it ASAP' mentality engrained.

He has joined a club, plans to start 2 more (both lunchtime) when the main clubs timetable starts next week, and auditioned for house music today.

Given that he has many ASD traits, and was on his second primary school because the first one turned him into a selective mute (the head there said that she doubted that he would ever cope in a mainstream setting), and also that he is having to take on a lot of extra responsibility in terms of being the first out and last in to the house every day, we're REALLY pleased.

original...thats so un fair ...I think I replied to you on the other thread ...and suggested the letter for this period as well ! You think they would have warned the girls in advance what to do ....it's bound to happen more than once .

teacher ...so pleased your ds is doing well....

Out of curiosity and noseyness....what English Lit book/s are your dc's using /reading?

My spelling and grammer is awful !!! Think that should have been"which" !

Bizzey, my DS is reading Skellig in class

Teacherwith2kids - my DD is having a ball too! Transition has been excellent. Not much homework (although they don't get huge amounts in Y7, judging by DS last year). She has started her clubs. Had an email from her form tutor within a week providing contact details and assuring me she had settled in really well, also an additional email from the Head of Music last week inviting her to join the Concert Band and not to worry, she wouldn't be the only Y7 flute player. I was impressed last year when DS started but I am VERY happy with the school this year (it's a state school btw!)

On top of all this, she started her periods yesterday, poor love, she's only just 11. She just dealt with it though (even went to trampoling club, I told her life goes on!) and sorted herself out today.

Sometime, your kids make you quietly proud, without them even being aware of it don't they?

TOSN - sorry, just read your post. Bloody harsh and completely insensitive, I would contact the school.