The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013

[hardboiled]

I thought I would start this tradition once again while we all wait? DS only sat Trinity...

Ive also just spoken to 'W' as DS still waiting for interview date, and was told a whole batch went out today. They also said that they generally do scholarship tests before interviews which makes more sense of the very early calls/letters. Perhaps these were boys who hadn't applied for scholarships so could be interviewed first????

Burntoutdad - makes sense! Hopefully get something in the post by the end of the week then. Just want process over!

Goldfish678mum don't worry. My DS went for the sports assessment yesterday and music today and we haven't had an interview date either. My DH called admissions yesterday, although I told him not to, and they said they are still phoning and that if you have been invited for an assessment you will definitely get a call. BTW, DH said the lady in admissions sounded stern. As I said I'm not surprised - she's probably fed up with being called!!

Thanks inneedofwine - I feel a lot better now. Good luck to u and your ds

Good luck to you too! How did your DS get on yesterday. Mine said there was one very good cricketer (very tall). Was that your DS?

Inneedofwine - I think he did ok. He's a swimmer and he says he was asked to speak to the coach afterwards, so I think that's a good sign or maybe not?! Who knows! - he really enjoyed the day thou so I guess that's the main thing. How did yours do?

Goldfish678mum - That sounds very promising!! I think my DS did ok but not brilliantly - sports was always a long shot. Music is his thing so we're keeping our fingers crossed for that one. It's all so nerve wracking though - just hope we don't have to do it again next year.

Fatalflowergarden, you not crap, you are a mum like the rest on here, who wants what is best for their DS. No matter what happens, your DS is blessed to have a mum that wants so much for him, and he will grow into a fine young man. At the risk of being repetitive, it's not over till it's over. Letters still going out..... People are still receiving invites to interview your DS can still be one of them. Every year we read about people who have almost given up and then the invite arrives. Don't feel bad about your DS sitting the exam, if he didn't do it you would've always wondered what would've happened if he did. Hope this makes sense...

To everyone else out there like fatalflower waiting, hang on in there. Hopefully we will all be waiting for (good) news on 15th of Feb.

I also believe that it could be whitgift are adding people that have passed on to the list as they weed some out at interview stage, hence the not sending rejection letters out early. Perhaps those who have failed outright are the ones who have been given their rejection letters already. Obviously, T are not using that system ( judging from the letter given out on the day of the written letter), so for them, hopefully, no news is good news.

There are such lovely people on here and it is nice to see all the encouragement. I pray we all get good news ultimately.

Somelikeithott - what a lovely comment. I totally agree. You have summed it up so well. Have had a few wines (husband's birthday) and was trying to find the like button ... But instead felt compelled to agree.

We had our interview at W today, went really well. Don't stress just be yourself, Mrs Carter (10+) was really nice. Asking questions is not a must. Good luck...

Thankyou everyone for such encouraging words - and sorry to have been such a misery guts! It's just exhausting isn't it - I can't remember the last time I expended so much emotional energy

Anyhow... another day, we'll see what the postie brings...

Well done everyone so far, glad your interviews haven't been too onerous. Fingers x'd for Feb!

It is completely emotionally exhausting, you are right. And it gets to everyone; the most sane, unemotional people I know have still been dragged in to the panic. You're certainly not alone. I really hope you hear good news soon.

DS had his interview at T earlier in the week and really enjoyed it, so those of you who have interviews still to come, there is really nothing to worry about.

Just wait til offers day...!

[helpful]

Very helpful Soup
I was just going to say that everyone gets stressed and a bit manic over this whole process and to tell this years posters to have a look at our thread from last year - then they'll see how mad you can get
I seem to recall threats of mugging posties due to undelivered letters, kidnapping peacocks, offering albino peacocks and wildebeest as bribes....
Fingers crossed for you all - 'tis horrible....

last year's thread for you to all have a chuckle over

I looked at last years thread when this one popped up :) I'd forgotten about the peacock plan until then :o

I found it hugely stressful and I had been pretty much guaranteed at interview that DS2 would get a place.

Whitgift have a more complicated admission set-up as they don't have a fixed entrance number for each age group. They'll look across the entrants, and who they have currently, as well as the 13+ overseas candidates who already have offers and be juggling lots of lists. They may take only 40 at 10+ and add a class at 12+, or vice versa. Trinity try to keep the numbers balanced year on year, so they know how many spaces they have for each year group whereas W are generally a bit more flexible. Add to that potentially one of the most generous bursary schemes in the South East - but not one that can fund every applicant - and you can see why the admissions team may be getting stressed!

I know that certainty would be lovely, but it really isn't going to be over for some parents until the 2nd or 3rd week of March (after state schools offers, and initial waiting list movements). You need to maintain your stamina!

Wow, just received interview confirmation email and my heart jumped into my throat!!! What's it going to be like waiting for 'the letter'!!!!
Thanks for all the advice so far -it's really helping.

We had letter today - DS interview on Monday!
From what I can gather the questions asked in interview are probably based around any questions they may have got wrong in exam - to see understanding I guess.
I just hope that my DS opens up a little and they can see through his quiet demeanour. (perhaps I should record the little monster angel at home to show just how different he can be when relaxed)

Great news racegirl87 and burntoutdad, good luck to you and your ds's for the interviews!

Just got home to a W interview letter for Tues! It says not to bring anything but he will be asked questions based on the exam questions, is this standard wording or to check out his weak areas?
I'm a single parent and wouldn't want/ask his dad to go, do they question this does anyone know? Guess yr 4s poor report on bad attitude didn't completely wreck his chances!

Fantastic news burntoutdad, suz and racegirl! Well done and best of luck!

suz I wouldn't worry about not taking ds's dad; I can't think they'd question his absence. I'm a single parent too and would definitely not be accompanied by ds's father! We singletons are a fact of life these days after all

I didn't take my XH along to the interviews and nothing was said.

Great news to those that have heard- there were plenty of one parent units on my interview day.
I suspect my Ds sealed his fate when asked I see from your school report you are very good at drama his comment was I am good at it but i don't really like it much arrrggghhh

Well, that's another day down with no letter. Trashpack, how're things with you?!