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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

860 replies

Somelikeithott · 16/02/2013 16:46

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

OP posts:

EyesWideClosed · 04/03/2013 18:03

Soup How big is the kit bag? Very small ds has bus-train-bus to contend with.

therugratref · 04/03/2013 18:12

Kit has been a nightmare for me, DS1 is in year 7 now (At a different school). He plays Rugby at least 4 days a week. I have 2 full kits plus 2 extra pairs of socks, he manages to lose at least 1 piece of kit per week on average, so having the full extra set means we have some leeway until he collects the shorts or jersey or whatever else he has put down from lost property.
He has also left kit on trains and other random places. Last week he lost his phone and house keys and conduct card. I cant begin to imagine the pain I will be going through when DT's start abandoning kit as well.

EyesWideClosed · 04/03/2013 18:24

That really fills me with hope.

racegirl87 · 04/03/2013 19:18

My ds managed to lose FOUR school jumpers, a pair of boots, numerous gloves, two hats, his reading record and a coat (although I found that in the end) last term.
I'm not holding out much hope for a complete set of anything returning home. It's going to be a challenge!!
Second hand sale sounds like the way forward.

Kylep · 04/03/2013 20:18

Sounds familiar !!! I've heard through the grapevine that mostly all that applied to w got in !! Wonder if there is any truth in that

Croydonmumtods · 04/03/2013 20:57

Wow you are all getting very organised what with school uniform discussions. I don't know what stats are but I have heard of a lot of people who went for both schools and only got offered T across all age groups and very few scholarship offers at W compared to T but I guess everyone has heard something different. So kylep not quite sure your grapevine is correct but who knows.

Kylep · 04/03/2013 21:09

Rumours I guess !! Ive heard A few boys didn't even finish papers apparently but still got offers from W and not from T , maybe due to the new boarding facilities the more full fee payers the better

Original poster

Somelikeithott · 04/03/2013 21:54

I know of 3 boys personally who sat exams and didn't get into either school. And I've heard of a few who didn't. Also know of a few boys who sat both exams and got academic scholarships in T and not W and vice versa.

I feel blessed we got to choose ( with DS), our preferred school, and know we won't regret it. Looking forward to the exciting times ahead.

OP posts:

basildonbond · 04/03/2013 21:58

well considering the numbers applying it can't possibly be the case that virtually every child who applied to W got in ...

I know of several boys this year, and last year and the year before, who had interviews (which the parents seemed to think went v well) and didn't get in or even get waitlisted

same for T too ...

NotADragonOfSoup · 04/03/2013 22:25

EyesWideClosed I've not managed to look at the actual size of the sports bag because, for the first time in known history, DS2 seems to have taken it up to his room

They aren't huge but your poor DS will look like an overloaded pack horse when you send him off with sports kit and all the stuff he needs for school. I would estimate that they're 50cm long and 25cm high/wide. Difficult to judge from memory!

Hopefully your DS won't learn a large musical instrument :)

fondofuk · 04/03/2013 22:50

Hello. Is there any cut off time, not date for accepting a place for W? I am holding back until last minute (13+) but dont know when is last minute! Was 11+ today?

Zato · 04/03/2013 23:32

Evening all,

As mentioned above my DS is T 11+. I know T is holding a fun day in June and new boys start school a day early for a treasure hunt get the know other boys the school etc etc. he is very excited but very nervous as he is the only boy from his current school going to T. I still remember my first day at T and not knowing a soul. I have a couple of ideas !!

Anyone up for a fun cricket/football game in a park so boys can get to know each other before the real fun begins ?

More importantly us parents have been to hell and back during this whole process and i am so pleased its over. This is the first time in my life where i have had no control over an outcome and the waiting destroys you. So with this in mind anyone fancy a Saturday night curry and beer evening ? No idea on location but somewhere near T would make sense. Happy to go to South Croydon then we kidnap a pheasant on the way home (sorry my old Trinity roots are coming out :) :) )

Good luck all and hopefully see many of you before or during term.

David

burntoutdad · 05/03/2013 08:05

fondofuk - Deadline for 12+/13+ is Wed 6th. I believe time is 5pm.
if im not being too nosey can I ask why you are waiting till the very last minute?

burntoutdad · 05/03/2013 08:10

Hott - I also know of around 6-7 boys who are at academy level football and sat W but didn't get to interview stage.
Kylep - the VR paper at W is apparently notoriously never completely finished.

Seeline · 05/03/2013 09:36

The T second hand sale always has loads of stuff, and is worth a visit if only for spares!
My DS rarely wears the jumper (but prefers the Bhs one I got to the school one anyway) because he is fairly warm-blooded and still hasn't got used to having to wear his blazer all the time!
I manage to get his rugby kit washed and dried over-night when his rugby lesson is the day after training - it dries well draped over the radiator in the hall (so he remembers to re-pack it the next morning!!)
The only thing he has managed to lose so far was his (brand new) glasses. However, the lost property system seems to work very well (if everything is named) and they turned up 3 days later in the lost property office - very impressed as his primary school seem to have mislaid several sets of uniform over the years .
Zato I wouldn't worry about your DS being the only one from his school. My DS was too and soon made friends. Don't forget there will be many others in the same position. The school are very aware of this and help ease things along. I don't think the Y7 boys get the activity trip that the JBugs have, but I think they do have an activity morning away from school in their forms to help them get to know each other in a less formal atmosphere. I'm sure Soup or one of the others will be along to correct me if I'm wrong

NotADragonOfSoup · 05/03/2013 10:08

The 11+ intake get to go on a half day watersports activity :)

DS2 was one of only 2 boys from his school who went but the only one in his class. It wasn't a problem at all. He was nervous on the New Boys/Parents morning but when I went along to meet his tutor after the parents part, he'd been with his class for that time and they were all fine with each other. I think the boy he was paired with on the very first day when they do the treasure hunt has ended up being his best friend.

nothingyummymum · 05/03/2013 10:53

I know a few parents who would be quite offended at the rumour that "everyone" got into W - in particular the ones whose very bright and talented DC were not offered places or who are desperately awaiting movement on the waiting lists. I think DS too would be quite upset - that means all those hours preparing and the subsequent agony waiting first for the interviews and then the acceptance letter were wasted, as he could just have performed badly and gotten in?

Kylep · 05/03/2013 11:34

It's a rumour but true in our school everyone got in to W !! It wasn't meant to offend or take anything away from anyone or most importantly the boys who took exams

nothingyummymum · 05/03/2013 12:22

Kylep - my apologies if I'm sensitive about this, but surely we can't say "everyone" got in if that was the case in one top prep school? Congratulations on your school doing so well, though. DS is in a below average state school, but does go to some clubs with prep school boys. Getting into W (he was also offered a place at another excellent indie) has been a massive boost for his self-esteem and a great achievement in our family as he'll be the first to venture into private education, let alone a really hard decision and huge financial commitment on our side. I'd imagine we're not the only ones in this position. It would be very disheartening if any of the boys at his clubs told him "everyone" got in, based on their school's results. It is clearly not true of the overall intake, as W can't possibly be offering over 900 places. And yes, I too know parents of boys in top academic sets playing sports at academy or county level who did not get W offers or are on the waiting list.

FatalFlowerGarden · 05/03/2013 13:12

Am absolutely OVERJOYED to be able to announce that ds will be joining the 10+ cohort at Whitgift this September .

The school have shown an enormous amount of faith in and commitment to ds and I am still shaking! Cannot wait to get home and tell him!

Thankyou everyone for your support, am so thrilled that we'll be joining you!

Original poster

Somelikeithott · 05/03/2013 13:15

Well done fatal flower, glad you are joining us. Its been a rather long journey.
Well done and congratulations to your DS

OP posts:

kimalima · 05/03/2013 13:20

Fatal that is absolutely brilliant news. I am so very pleased for you and DS. What a very long road it has been for you. But at least it has a really good outcome.

Well done all for all the W and T places gained this year. This thread has sometimes kept me sane, other times made me slightly more anxious but overall has meant my DH and I are still speaking and I have not driven him insane .

nothingyummymum · 05/03/2013 13:22

Oh Fatal, you have just made my day! Well done to both you and DS for your tenacity and incredible spirit. You both really deserve this. Did I just hear the joyous shriek of peacocks and the raucous flutter of purple capes?

hardboiled · 05/03/2013 13:29

Fatal, that's brilliant! I remember all those days waiting for the letter... and then for the bursary...And you never lost hope. You must be over the moon. I hope other parents in your situation next year find this thread and get encouraged by your story.

havinganightmare · 05/03/2013 13:32

So so pleased Fatal!! That is just brilliant news.

And can I also say that although 3 boys did get in to W from DS school last year they all deserved to. But I know of many others from other schools who didn't sadly for them. They take 60 at 10 plus and another 120 at 11 plus so the theory/rumour that everyone gets in falls down instantly on the maths alone! well over 600 sat the exams so forget that rumour and be very proud of your DC and of course yourselves! T and W are both fab schools and your boys are going to love the ride ahead!

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