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Secondary education

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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:
suz742 · 04/09/2013 19:03

Hope all the boys got on well today. I couldn't believe my little JBug came out looking as impeccable as when he went in. Full on start with homework tonight, various sports kits to organise and a whole heap of new rules and regs. What a journey we and our sons have been on. Time to break open the wine and toast new beginnings x

FatalFlowerGarden · 04/09/2013 19:33

Glad to hear it all went well for you (and ds!) suz - hope he continues to have a fab time at T.

Can't say that my ds came out looking impeccable, though - his blazer was covered in...something! But he was buzzing, absolutely loved it. Am so relieved after a genuine wobble this morning (me, not him)... Here's to the next eight years! Grin

AllNewToUs · 05/09/2013 13:30

Does anyone know how signing up for extra-curricular clubs works at W? My ds seems to think you can just turn up to whatever you like, but I thought there must be some kind if registration process - and also wondered if some sports related clubs were only open to those with a certain level of prior experience? I know L1 won't be starting until after Italy trip but if anyone has any (second hand/unofficial) info on this it would be helpful! :) Hope all have had a good 2nd day!

TCofB · 05/09/2013 16:34

Hi AllNewToUs -I think as long as it's specified for all, lower school or U11 general you can turn up no prior experience required - they may well take a register of those who attend but I am pretty sure there is no pre-registration. My DS (who enjoyed his first day btw but was completely exhausted) was worried that he would miss the football trials as these had been mentioned to them yesterday apparently but he didn't know when they were. I think they have to look and listen out for these type of ad hoc things or look on the notice board. I know from other pupils last year in lower school that their tutors have meetings with them to keep an eye on their club attendances, and find out what they are up to as some do too much and some too little, and they want to encourage a balance of the types of clubs attended

AllNewToUs · 05/09/2013 19:26

TCoB - thanks for the info! Will encourage DS to check noticeboards tomorrow. He would be devastated to miss out on football try-outs. So different from being spoon-fed info at Primary! DS has reported that he may need entire sports kit tomorrow due to Games in pm, potential gym induction that was moved from today and a rumour about swimming from others in his form too! Im sure this cant be the case??! Wanted to avoid overloading him as he has a long journey in, but so confused now I think best to pack everything!

Ladymuck · 05/09/2013 19:37

I would suggest packing everything until you are certain. It is a rite of passage that the younger ones have to look like packmules for the first month. But games staff like to have the options to move things around, especially in the first couple of weeks.

TweenageAngst · 05/09/2013 20:43

Mine went to the gym after school. They were most annoyed that they were not allowed to lift weights. They had a fine time on the bikes and treadmill.
Does anyone know when the U11 Rugby trials are?

TCofB · 05/09/2013 20:44

kits for swimming and gym induction tomorrow - not heard about that but may well be true! DS just going with games kit though. you are right it's a lot to carry. at least we get a week off next week although need to pack for LG now and they have to be able to carry that too!!

FatalFlowerGarden · 05/09/2013 20:53

Think I'm going to pack everything for ds tomorrow (except perhaps the track suit...) - white games kit, rugby kit, jammers...oh hang on does that mean I need to pack a towel as well? Confused

No idea about trials but guess this info will be on noticeboards etc? Agree it's weird not to be spoonfed info about clubs etc! Did get the bit of paper about the Garda blog though, which seems a great idea.

TCofB · 05/09/2013 21:07

maybe they are not overloading the L1 boys with club info yet as so much else to take in and the clubs and any trials will happen after Lake Garda in any case

Croydonmumtods · 05/09/2013 22:15

Agree with TCofB. I think they will all be told what's happening when they need to be told. All a bit scary for us mums but they have only been there 2 days! I would hate for ds to miss out on any trials but quite unlikely this will happen particularly if they are on sports scholarships. Mind you I will keep reminding ds to check notice board. Re sports kit - its been all in the bag some of it in bag rugby gear in bag and tomorrow morning I'll be putting everything back in again! Glass (bottle) of wine keeping me sane as I sew on more labels. I liked being spoon fed!

Croydonmumtods · 05/09/2013 22:17

Apologies meant all a bit scary for us mums and dads...

AllNewToUs · 05/09/2013 22:53

My Ds did say that Head of First Form had announced this
morning some Rugby Trials were taking place at 4pm today!?? Please take that info with a very large pinch of salt as DS seems to not have a full grip on things yet! He said he didn't go because he didn't have his kit / boots with him (we had instead taken P E kit which was yesterday's slightly muddled message!). I am assuming he's got this wrong, and if not hope that further trials will be taking place after the school trip? Thanks for the advice all - will load him up so he can be ready for anything tomorrow!

Original poster
Somelikeithott · 05/09/2013 23:55

The under 12 rugby trials were today, and U11 will be sometime after they return from LG.

We haven't packed a towel for tomorrow, I better get out of bed now to do that. DS packed his bag for games & PE as soon as he got in today. ( shock...). He didn't mention swimming though.

He isn't very happy that I've told him to give himself time to settle this week, and think about clubs when they get back from LG.

OP posts:
burntoutdad · 06/09/2013 12:13

Just looked at weather for LG next week - mixed bag, so unfortunately rainwear looks a must. Sure it wont stop them having a ball though.
Days seem fairly long for DS but so far so good. DS still dawdling in mornings, 'NOW' seems to translate to 'in ten minutes' in his head when rushing to get ready to catch bus!
Have to keep reminding myself how young they are and probably a bag of nerves coping with a big change from primary.

frazzledforty · 06/09/2013 14:42

I just want to confess: I'm knackered. Frankly, I have no idea how so many parents are handling this with so much aplomb.
Last night I woke up, heart thudding, convinced DS was lost and wandering the school grounds like some B-grade horror movie. What did I do when I couldn't get back to sleep? Read this thread, of course. Only to start checking swimming kit and time table.
He's loved every minute (although I think most of it has gone right over his head: he doesn't now about the existence of notice boards and clearly misunderstood an entire lesson) and has tackled the whole thing with a gusto that completely took me by surprise.
I suspect we - or at least I - may underestimate them. It's not as if millions of children all over the world don't handle this transition every year or go through much worse! (Now if only I can remember that in the middle of the night...)

FatalFlowerGarden · 06/09/2013 17:09

Gah - ds has managed to lose his boot bag and one trainer already.

His Garda case is getting heavier and heavier, but knowing him he'll probably just come back with a plastic bag with one damp sock in it... Hmm

SoupDragon · 06/09/2013 17:18

So, only send him with a plastic bag and one damp sock :o

FatalFlowerGarden · 06/09/2013 17:20

Believe me, soupy, it is very tempting.

MayContainWine · 06/09/2013 17:58

Don't worry FrazzledForty you are definitely not the only one. My head has also been banging .... bolt upright at at 3am - did I look at the week B timetable and not the Week A timetable .. if so he hasn't done the homework. As for that test the Upper First had today ...surely they know his academic prowess (or lack of) already, will they kick him out??? Etc. Etc. May have to change my name to MayContainNeurofen at this rate

Original poster
Somelikeithott · 06/09/2013 23:41

Can I join the 'DS losing items' club? Just discovered he didn't bring home his trainers. Thankfully they are not new, he was meant to take them to LG, one of the ' not the end of the world, if they don't come back from Garda' items.

Now we have to hit the shops in the morning to get him a new pair. Watch this space for the mum with DS rushing to catch the coach just before it leaves... Sigh....

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 07/09/2013 08:02

DS1 managed to arrive back from his school ski trip last December without his ski jacket Hmm How the hell do you forget a coat in the middle of bloody December?! He "didn't notice".

Original poster
Somelikeithott · 07/09/2013 22:23

We did it, managed to send DSs off without too much drama. I'm sure they will have a ball. DS's sisters missing him already. Except I have to referee them when they are all together....

OP posts:
Hecticmumof4 · 08/09/2013 07:24

Anyone missing their DS already? I am Sad
He seemed wonderfully content this week and going on the coach and I am soooo pleased for him. I keep thinking about what he's doing and its not even been 24 hours!!
Does anyone know when we'll hear something? I looked on the school website and couldn't see anything.... someone mentioned a blog on here

FatalFlowerGarden · 08/09/2013 08:27

Yes, was missing him terribly last night! I was quite nervous about the journey, which is unusual for me.

Not heard anything yet but am taking that as a sign he's too busy enjoying himself Grin. Hope they get some decent weather - the forecast was pretty miserable.

I'll pm you the details of the blog if you like, hectic?