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

Hi all thought id check back to see if any activity here. Enjoyed the parents evening, very informative. Liked the advice about removing pre conceptions from the boys ( im a footballer/ cricketer; actor; non acedemic; brainbox etc) and going in as a blank canvas willing to try anything and everything. Prospect of science biodome being built is mind blowing! And new drama facilities planned too.
Fatal - there were around 3 or 4 parents with ds's at yesterdays meeting. I had a guess at 2 that could be you . Were you in the back row or at left side with short hair? (No need to answer if u dont want to out yourself ).

Hi burnt - I was indeed on the left, near the front. Ds in a red sweatshirt. All pretence at anonymity now gone

Am consistently impressed with how friendly and down to earth the staff are. Ds is now super-excited about Garda, and was really chuffed to meet a couple of future classmates last night. Roll on September!

Burnt - I also liked the advice on pre-conceptions (guilty) and have been trying to undo the boxes.

SugarHoney - predictive text turned my "laugh" into "love" in previous post!

We were in the 10 and 11+ group at new parents meeting, with a separate meeting for the 13+ intake. I'd imagine boarding may have featured more in the other group.
As far as I understood the boarding message, it was a reassurance that the boarders and day boys will be integrated - in fact, the head emphasised that the boarding house "belonged to everyone". They will be pushing for flexi-boarding in addition to the full-time boarders. Not having considered boarding at all until now, I found this very tempting.

If DS is anywhere near as difficult a teenager as I was, we may just prevent bloodshed by having him board for a year or two. I also like the idea that he can board for a short period if I have a really tough time at work or have to travel. The point is I found the boarding option very attractive (apart from the fees!), which means the message must have been positive.

Lovely to see an active thread again. Enjoyed parents evening and particularly headmasters speech - much more engaging then I expected. Lake Garda meeting even better. Sounds absolutely brilliant - teachers all seem lovely and certain the boys will enjoy every minute apart from the coach journey! Uniforms in the wardrobe and have to stop ds trying it on or it'll be ruined by September. Just have to sew the name tags on but despite best intentions bet I'll be doing that the night before school starts!
fatal glad everything worked out for you.

Hi again!

Fatal, I didn't take offence, so no worries. I actually haven't been back on until now.

Frazzled, I agree about them trying to dispel, the 'super sporty' only thing.

I liked the ABC, thing emphasised at the parents info evening. Them being academic first, then behaviour and co-curricular.... I that order. I also remember at DS's interview when we had a chat, there was an emphasis on them being an academic school first and rest is secondary. Also 2 weekends ago we met with a few current parents who confirmed this is the experience for them. So hopefully this means we have made the right decision.....

Fatal, for some reason, I did think that was you yesterday, said so to DH. I even smiled at you on the way to the little girls room just before the meeting started....

Does anyone else feel a bit more nervous about the trip after yesterday? I have to say Mr. M did a good job and I felt better about it all but in a strange way feel nervous as well. Maybe it's just really becoming a reality in my subconscious .....

Also interesting to know DR. B is going on the trip as well! DS found that really interesting. He was eagerly awaiting us when we got home.

Hott - yes i felt a little nervous after yesterday. I think i hadnt really realised that its a 'big boy trip' and ds may get a little more independence than previous trips he has been on. But im sure they will be safe and that all the 'risk asessments' have been carried out as one parent asked last night.
Nice of the head to supply new life jackets - makes u wonder what the ones there were like though!

hott, I remember you!

Yes, you smiled back, all coded acknowledgement!!! Lol

Yes, burnt, nice to know that there are new, and 'appropriate for the boys' sizes' life jackets.

It is actually tough for me being an overseas mom not to be able to attend these meetings. Thanks for sharing the ABC concept. Envy all of you as you can share the excitment first hand. You know, we can only fit school uniforms in Sept.! Please keep posting so that I can keep up.

Lake Garda trip is fab - apart from the journey ... make sure your boys take a pillow for the coach (yes, I was the crap mum who forgot ...)

basildonbond thanks for the tip - a pillow would never even have crossed my mind!

Hott - where were u sitting? There was a woman who i thought was u but i dont think she was with her dh. I have spoken briefly to the person i thought you might have been before in the car park.

Burnt- hi again, I was sitting in the middle bit, towards the front. About same row as fatal, I think. Where were you sitting? Maybe we should have a MN secret code of ID lol! DH was next to me. Thought of science biodome, is definitely exciting for me as well. I've always loved my sciences, so really looking forward for finding out what that's going to be like. ( never mind DS, it's me that needs to curb my excitement).

Basildon & Croydonmum- definitely a good idea re: pillow. Funny, another mum mentioned it to me that day, otherwise I never would've thought of it either. She gave me a short list of tips which I wrote down. Can't remember what else is on it now, but she also mentioned disposable cameras.

Sugarhoney, must be tough and exciting at the same time. As some one mentioned, the 13+ group were in a different hall, so can't give you much more snippets.... The time will fly by and you & DS will soon be able to experience it all first hand.

Hi Hott- you were not who i thought u might be then. The woman i was refering to sat on left (facing front) roughly in middle with blonde hair. She looked like she was looking around trying to spot mumsnetters .
I must have been sitting not far behind you in the middle section!

Strange, there are no parents from 13+ group who attended the parents meeting? Comments please.

Yes, excited and curious at the same time. We were really impressed when we visited W, the lady working in the canteen was very nice and food looks delicious. Anyone knows if food tastes good ? My son will have breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday there ......

The 13+ contingent isn't that large (in comparison with the 10+/11+) and tends to come from the local prep schools, so I imagine relatively few parents will have been following this thread I'm afraid. I know of several Year 6/7 waistbands which have expanded due to the food available at Whitgift, so wouldn't worry on that score.

Good to know LM - ds could do with a bit of building up

Info arrived about sports week - ds v excited about Danish Long Ball (is that right??) but less so about swimming. Not the most cnOh well!

That was meant to say 'not the most confident of swimmers' but my phone, along with much else this morning, is conspiring against me!

fatal my ds has gone to previous sports courses and loved it although cant go this time. We had long discussions about Danish long ball but seems to involve throwing balls at people and was great fun. Not a lot of swimming usually done and quite relaxed and fun so I'm sure your ds will be absolutely fine.

Aww! Croydonmum, your DS isn't going!!! Looking forward to seeing the info. When I get home later. Have a good weekend all.

Hi
Anyone going to the Trinity new boys and parents morning tomorrow? DS can't wait to meet the other boys and his form tutor. We're definitely more nervous than him!!

Yes, we are off to Trinity tomorrow. Seems like ages since we were last there. Have put my DS down for December French trip, he doesn't know a soul going but was very keen to go. All very excited for tomorrow, me not him it seems!

For prospective parents, you might want to amuse yourselves by reading the acting headmaster's recent newsletters. He seems to have been hoarding anecdotes and rhetorical flourishes for years in anticipation of the opportunity.