The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

[Somelikeithott]

Hi all as I posted on previous thread, I realised we had hit the 1000 mark, do felt obliged to open a new one. Hope everyone finds this thread easily

Interview absolutely doesn't guarantee place. I certainly know of several last year who werent offered - after seemingly positive interviews and one sports assessment.

Posted our W 11+ acceptance form on Sat !

Excellent, iluv. Just realised deadline is today and not tomorrow as I thought.

We're still hanging on! Rang W this morning and was told they are sorting through a massive pile of acceptance/rejection letters and emails ... and may even have some news for me this afternoon re our bursary appeal... aaaargh. Must say the admissions office have always been absolutely lovely - they must get so fed up with anxious parents ringing them every 5 mins but they've always been so friendly.

I'm a little over-caffeinated this morning and feeling rather jittery!

T's next second hand uniform sale is on 16th March 8:30 -11:30am

So today is the deadline and I guess this thread will start to wind down.
It would be nice if we could post updates at some point getting to know how the school starts went, how DS fared in first weeks, have we made the right decisions etc.
As a final count, assuming no-one else posts today and including iluvwe have
11 at W and 8 at T from this thread.

2 at T 11+ 5 at T 10+ 1 at T ?+
4 at W 11+ 6 at W 10+ 1 at W?+

A reasonably even spread. Well done and good luck to all of our DS's in their new schools, wherever they are going. And perhaps I will meet some of you (even without knowing it (Except rugrat )) in the coming months .

Sorry Fatal - nearly forgot. Should have done the final count on receipt of your news! Good luck.

If you want to manage the cost of uniform a bit, you can buy some stuff in advance - things like ties, locker (sport) bag, rugby socks which they're unlikely to grow out of. Obviously easy with T as you just go to Hewitts. You can also order the large name tapes you have to sew on all their sports kit.

Another 11+ T to add,just handed in letter ,had taken a while to decide between W &T,but T it is and they have been very helpful in the whole process .I have no doubt that Ds would have been as happy at both , however we are very excited about our final choice ,roll on September...

W second hand uniform sale this sat. Well worth a visit. They change tie after year 7 just so you know so no need to stock up on too many! I think times are on the website. The uniform list is on there as well for you to tick off stuff. Shirts and trousers are great quality and so cheap! Lots of sports kit as well - if only for a spare set. The ladies who run it very helpful for advice too. Cash and cheques only I think.

Hi, has anyone gone to second hand sale at T before. I want to save some cash where I can, even if it's only for spares. Is it worth a trip? Is it through the main entrance? When do we get uniform list as I won't even know what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Good luck Fatal, really rooting for you here x

Off the top of my head, Trinity uniform is

Logoed:
Tie (Lower school)
Blazer
Rugby top
Rugby shorts (blue)
PE top
PE shorts (white silky)
Tracksuit trousers
Tracksuit top
Locker bag (sports bag)
Grey pullover
Royal blue base layer
White rugby shorts for competitions - don't bother unless you are sure your son will be playing in a team for matches.

Generic:
White shirts
Black trousers
Royal blue "hipster" swim trunks although they are allowed the ones that are cycling short length.

Often you go in to these things through the entrance that looks like the main one but is actually the boys' entrance. IIRC, the sale is in a room off to the left of the main foyer but I imagine it will be obvious!

I've not been to a second hand sale - as I have 2 DSs I buy new for DS1 and then pass them onto DS2.

There will be another sale on the day of the New Boys/parents morning.

I would really recommend getting at least a spare set of sports kit second hand. I've tended to buy one new set and one secondhand set, but tbh I don't know why I bother because after a couple of weeks I can't tell the difference...

Thanks T mums, you are the best! I like to have lots of spare sports wear in case of quick turnarounds.
Are the boys allowed short sleeved white shirts, my DS hates long ones

Thanks for all the tips. Think we're going to head along to the sale. Any more thought on the T uniform will be much appreciated! Soup, what are the special names tags? Do they have to go on the normal uniform as well?

Yes, short sleeved shirts are OK. DS1 likes them in summer. Or when he hasn't done his ironing and they're all that's left in his wardrobe :o

The special name tapes are an inch high and go on the outside of the sports bag, sports tops and tracksuit. And the rugby socks which is a bit of a PITA.

I have managed with just one set of sports kit, but two pairs of rugby socks as there is always at least one sock missing. The sports tops both dry really quickly (Mmmm... manmade fibres!) so short turnarounds haven't been a problem.

I went with 3 jumpers, two ties, 6 shirts, 4 trousers and one of everything else.

• depending on size of multipack :)

Do the boys prefer the grey logo jumper or the plain black one?

DSs have never complained about logoed ones and are happy to wear them. According to DS2 most wear the grey logoed ones. He then looked at me suspiciously and wanted to know why I was asking

Because my imaginary friends want to know, DS2. That's all

Does he not know that you are a prolific mumsnutter, Soup? Another Q re. sports kit. How often do juniors bring them home? I'm assuming not the once a term job that he currently has at his primary school (and even then I don't even bother with a wash!)

Kit comes home on the day they've used it. Unless they have managed to lose it. :o

You'd have thought DS2 would have guessed why I wanted to know - he is meant to be bright!