The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013

[hardboiled]

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

I think the school is pitched just right, boys will do well academically even though the school itself is not in the very top performing tables. Academic achievement is not the be all and end all and the boys here seem so much more rounded and prepared than pupils we have come across at some of the super selective grammars. A bit generalised I know but this is how i see it.
W does not feel stuffy or posh or stuck up, when walking around it feels very comfortable and welcoming (sometimes a bit daunting when you have 15yr old boys towering over you - and i'm not small by any means!) I so wish i would have had the opportunity to go there .

Wishing you all good luck and thanking you all for sharing your insights, analysis and experiences. We are on the same (joyride) boat as you all!! We have applied to both W and T for the 10+.

Having T interview this week so reading this thread has been very helpful.
Were told that 200 applications were made for Trinity this year. Sobering thought: there will be one happy boy for four disappointed candidates, gulp!

@Seeline...yes we have a Jbug too! JD??

Just re-read my previous post and realised it could come across as terribly smug.. it was not intended that way! I did not add that our post-interview euphoria was rapidly replaced by lengthy post mortems (it didn't help that we couldn't remember what was said), anxiety attacks and more sleepless nights. Positive vibes definitely don't automatically translate into an offer and obviously DS' expectations have to be managed. I do think, however, that they give positive feedback to all the boys because they have done well in getting to interview stage and are indeed being considered for a place - in other words if a boy is told he'd be perfect for Whitgift, that is probably sincere at that moment. The only problem is that we don't know if there are 200 other boys who might be "more perfect" in a strong cohort. I suspect what adds to the drama at W is that the parents are interviewed too. I'm convinced it will be my fault if DS gets turned down!

Yes Asterisk, bloody "Norman" in our case - a small thumb sized crochet monster who kept getting lost.

@Farmer - yep JD

Thanks Trashpack..dreaded night shifts, I'm sure they took years off my life!
Interview later this pm, glad I worked this morning as a distraction.
Am picking my DS up on the way, running the gauntlet of his church state primary. My decision to sit him for these exams was not met with great support, not quite like I was in a pact with the devil but not far off.
I'm dreading going into the interview and seeing his year 4 report sitting there. The words 'arrogant and insensitive' might be hard to explain, but hey ho it might be just what they're looking for....I kid myself!

Arrogant & insensitive????? sounds a bit much for a 9/10 year old!!!! . All the best to your DS Suz! Hope you get lots of positive vibes.

Am on my way home from work to pick ds up for interview at 3.30 this pm! Another one who was glad she worked this morning...

Trashpack and suz - nightshifts are the pits! I changed jobs at the end of last year partly so I didn't have to endure nights anymore, so I'm full of sympathy!

Suz942 - I was really impressed with the way your son handled the EU question and was thinking my DS would really like a quirky friend like that next year! As for interview at W, Mr Beck is a really friendly chap. Crossed fingers for you this afternoon!

Fatal, all the very best wishes to your DS

Thanks everyone, yes he's a bit of a love him or hate him type of character, even at aged 10! I'm under no illusions about this process but all character building stuff I tell him, as I head to the wine bottle each evening!

I had a little nap after my night shift and just woke up to feed my addiction (this thread) and found a flurry of activity.

Asterisk, I feel like I already know you and soup and others from last years thread. When you google "W", your previous mumsnet thread comes up. I've read last years earnestly and can't believe that I'm here posting about it all too, for next years parents to read about!

You speak so eloquently & sensibly and give a real sense of perspective. A teeny, tiny part of me now almost doesn't want ds/dh/myself to be interviewed and judged "not Whitgiftian enough" or "good, but not quite good enough".

Whichever school a child goes to, if he has parents involved in ds's school life, a parent who becomes a parent governor or an active parent on PTA, that is surely a good recipe for success no matter which school you choose.

We don't live in the Croydon area and ds is currently at a lovely state Catholic Primary school that is a feeder school for an outstanding Catholic Co-ed. I've been thinking more and more recently that my ds will do well in any school. So, I ask myself....why am I putting myself through this?!! Arrgghhh!

Suz and Fatal! Can't believe we all did/do nights!

Gosh, they are tiring alright but a good way for me to do 12.5 shift while dh and ds are asleep.

Wow! Imagine if you met each other! Suz, I'm sure ds will be great....sounds like he's got spirit! Loads and loads of luck to you both!! xx

Oh yes, veteran of them trashpack! Was (well, still am) a midwife but now have a much more civilised 9-5 existence... sort of! I just found nights and on-calls so hard to cope with physically and, as a single parent, very disruptive for me and ds. But I have had some fun on nightshifts too

Fatal, I'm a midwife too!!! Yes, nights tough (I do 2 a week) but great fun...and tough on ds if they're being moved around. My dh often goes to Europe on business, so I juggle ds sleepover at my parents if I'm working.

Fatal, I might already know you in the real world!!!

Tons of luck, enjoy it and hope you come across Suz in your travels! Enjoy every second of it

wow - this thread is becoming like friends reunited! cant believe you guys have so much in common.

I'm not a midwife I'm afraid, an ex District Nurse, now I work in training in the Health Service.
Just returned from W, don't really know what to make of it. We were interviewed by Cannon Boswell, he seemed quite distracted and wanted to make it as brief as poss. My DS had Maths Qs and read out a couple of poems given to him but hasn't really said much else, certainly different to his T experience.
I was told exams were very good, in 80s in Maths and essay v good. However, was certainly not given great vibes but clergy are often a bit brisk in my experience.
Worst thing (or best) was that he said my bursary had been worked out and he had the details on paper should we get an offer. If we don't get that offer we'll never know whether I could have afforded it.
Feel relieved it's over but no great feeling either way...

suz742 - I thought they generally asked questions in the weaker subjects your interview seems exactly the opposite! looks like he did well though.
He told you he had details and didn't tell you what they were? How annoying is that. As you say at least u know you have one if offered a place!
I may be dim but just realised that W has Cannon etc. Do they work in a religious function or as teachers?

He is the Chaplain for Whitgift and Trimity so conducts services etc, I doubt he would have the time to teach.
His phone went off midway though the interview and he summed up with you don't really have any questions do you?
He looked like he had interview fatigue!
We came out of T quite buoyant and laughing but came out of W looking a bit puzzled. Was lovely that had 2 ex pupils from DS school to greet us, only 2 in the school I think!

So pleased its all over Suz, great news about the Maths and the essay. Good for your ds!
And bursary already worked out too?! Well, its out of your hands now. You've done the best you can, sit back relax and try to put it to the back of your mind. You didn't bump into Fatal then?

Oh my god nurses galore. I am an ICU sister

Suz, sounds like a positive interview, and your DS has done well in the written exam, so that must count for something!

I do agree, it's thoughtful of whitgift to have boy's from DSs schools greet on the day, it certainly helped ours come out & relax more.

The wait continues.

Burntout, all the best for sports recall tomorrow. And same to everyone else with interviews or scholarship recalls.

Thanks hott. Ds in the garden now in the dark with DS2 practising shooting, bless him. He seems to have a cold and blocked nose now which doesn't help, but shouldn't effect him. He looked pale and v tired yesterday, probably just a release from all the pressure after interview.
Apparently DS friend had someone greet him from his school who's sister happened to be in DS current class.

We were very early (8am) so no volunteers to greet us, but as no one else around it was quite relaxing.