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

Missmarple I thank you for your compliments. I was a bit worried that I come across as a sad loner posting so much, but this thread has really been a most welcome distraction from the anxiety of waiting and with help making such a huge decision. DW still does not know that I have been posting, she doesn't look herself and I just tell her anything on here that I think she would be interested in.
croydonmum - Sounds like we are now representing over 10% of the cohort here, and we may never know if we ever meet any of these parents - except you of course rugref. The funny thing is, you will get some parents looking at you thinking 'ah, so that's rugratref' and you will know why they are looking, so you will be able to guess who the Mumsnetters are!
But...Now ive said that, they will look away shiftily when they see you - so you can still guess

Thanks Croydonmums and Fatalflower, but one last qn. If you were to compare it to KingstonGrammar, what are the most obvious positive/negatives?
I'm thinking many of you wouldn't have considered KGS at all, location wise.

Maybe we should have a Mumsnet Whitgift 10+ meet-up BOD that way I wont be wondering
Welcome to the ones coming out of the woodwork.

Dont know why - I'm feeling the same anxiety as when I was dropping him off at first day of reception ! Will he get lost, will he be happy .. thinking and hoping we have made the right choice.

Iluv - as others have said, I really wouldn't worry about the sporting side. I think the attraction is there for those that are sporty, the coaching is there for those that show an ability to excel, and the support is there for all those that want to take up sport as a hobby or try new things, or to keep fit.
I don't believe it is imposed on the boys, just as music or drama isn't and there is sooo much more for them to do and be involved with.
I think that the impression of the school is one of overall 'sportiness' but if I had just built a £10m sports complex I would want to use it to advertise the school. I can remember being just as impressed with the science labs, D&T dept (my fav subject!), drama facilities etc. Its just that the sports complex leaves the biggest impression.
Anyway you never know you could find yourself wondering 'how did it come to this?' when you're standing at the side of a pitch in winter watching DS doing things you never knew he could, every sat/sun wet, cold and shivering!

Iluv, I totally understand what you mean about 1st day anxieties, and also anxiety about making the right decision. The last week has been more stressful for us in terms of making a decision about school choices, I think I can safely say even more than awaiting the results. Which should he go to, should he stay in current school till 11+? But now that we have decided, I am relieved and excited. DS in his mind had moved on already. He was wavering before we got the results, between T, W and stay in current school. But from moment he got the results, in spirit he is now a whitgift boy, and he has stood his ground ever since, giving us more reasons literarily everyday why that is the school for him. ( spends his spare time visiting the W, website). We acknowledge he has done the hard-work and taken this into consideration when deciding.

There are a few other boys from his current school going to T & W, in both 10+, & 11+ cohort. There seems to be a lot more that have chosen W over T, but obviously opposite is the case on this thread.

All in all as we have said in the past, it is a blessing to have these opportunities.

Sorry Iluv, don't know much about KGS, but I know a few boys in W, who are neither overtly sporty or top in academics, but are very happy in the school and some left to excellent universities and didn't struggle either. I think everyone finds something they are good at, somehow, and fly with it. All the best with decision making, I'm soooo glad we have now. Sent T's thanks, but no thanks form back as well. Good school, shame he can't alternate weeks between both schools!!! ( now that is an idea).

burnt you have perfectly described my weekends - oh the joy of having a sporty ds. iluv my advise - try and encourage your ds toward indoor sports and activities!! Sorry I have no knowledge at all of KGS.

So I will spill the beans my ds currently at elmhurst !!!!! Any elmhurst mummy's on here

Croydonmum, that describes our weekends now, and don't see it improving for a verrrry long time. Especially since other DC coming of age and starting to show interest as well

Thanks all. Really appreciate it. Somehow I never trust my own judgements, but having read this amazing thread, I think I trust you all. Will keep you posted.

To add what people have said about sportiness at W, my DS1 isn't a typically sporty boy in terms of mainstream sports (football, rugby, etc.) Yet I think the move to W from a prep school now is the right move. He's great at less mainstream sports -- tennis, skiing, swimming, cross-country, etc. What I really like at W (though probably true of other schools too) is the potential variety of sports for DS's like mine that will always come off worse in collision sports. Being under 5 stone and built like a twig isn't fun when you're playing with 10+ stone 11 year olds! No matter how much rugby padding my DW buys DS1. Having said all that he's probably best at art & DT (anything spatial/visual) but I do believe in importance of sports and academics for everyone. We all cannot wait until he starts in September and he's mentally completely thinking of himself as a Whitgiftian. Hope to meet many on the thread this coming school year!

Kylep Ds has lots of friends at elmhurst but dosnt go there. And only a few of those he knows have done 10+. I think I know the 2 going to W and yes I think they are additions to our numbers so starting to even up a bit!
hott I've heard of a lot more choosing T over W so interesting to read your comments.

you could find yourself wondering 'how did it come to this?' when you're standing at the side of a pitch in winter watching DS doing things you never knew he could, every sat/sun wet, cold and shivering

Ah yes... I look back fondly at the memory 8 yo DS2 who sat in a huddle of misery near the rugby pitches at Warlingham every week, refusing to play. He's playing in the B team for T this weekend and throws himself into it with full enthusiasm :)

Got my confirmation of acceptance letter from T, yippee and email from W asking where he was going...and got his first name wrong! Made me smile as I corrected them.

We are 10+ T cohort from state Catholic S.Croydon school btw as if I haven't given away more than enough on here!

We definitely need a round-up of where everyone is going. Going to miss you guys - this thread has been very interesting.

So how about I start and, in turn, we copy the list and paste into a new comment our own details? I have included the ones I can remember to get us going.

Kimalima T 11+
Burntoutdad W 10+
Suz742 T 10+
Rugratref W 10+

Adding mine:

Kimalima T 11+
Burntoutdad W 10+
Suz742 T 10+
Rugratref W 10+
JohnnyT W 11+

Just added mine to list:

Kimalima T 11+
Burntoutdad W 10+
Suz742 T 10+
Rugratref W 10+
JohnnyT W 11+
Cheammum W 11+

Some you missed:

Kimalima T 11+
Burntoutdad W 10+
Suz742 T 10+
Rugratref W 10+ (x2!)
JohnnyT W 11+
Croydonmumtods W 10+
MissMarple T 10+
Somelikeithott W 10+
racegirl87 T 10+
TCofB W 10+
PopcornPizza T ?+
EyesWideClosed T 10+
Cheammum W 11+
Hecticmumof4 W ?+
nothingyummymum W ?+

Im sure to have missed some , some i think are still waiting to hear good news (Fatal?).

Yep, I hear you burntoutdad .

We are still here, hanging on for bursary-related news so keep everything crossed for us. Ds is desperate to join the 10+ cohort at W and I really feel another year at his primary wouldn't be doing him any favours.... but in the end it all boils down to the money!

Kimalima T 11+
Burntoutdad W 10+
Suz742 T 10+
Rugratref W 10+ (x2!)
JohnnyT W 11+
Croydonmumtods W 10+
MissMarple T 10+
Somelikeithott W 10+
racegirl87 T 10+
TCofB W 10+
PopcornPizza T ?+
EyesWideClosed T 10+
Cheammum W 11+
Hecticmumof4 W ?+
nothingyummymum W 11+

Am deeply relieved that our decision is made, but I do feel the pain of parents and DC awaiting news of state places - good luck to everyone!

Thanks all for your W boarding info / comment.

Much appreciate it.

We're rooting for you Fatal!
That's a turnaround in numbers, 6 x T vs 10 x W. Thought the T's had it but W nudges forward as the clock ticks down.
C'mon you lurkers out there final push over the line, get your stats in! Come Monday we are rivals, on the sports fields and off (not that im competitive in anyway ).

Lol burntout, you are really spoiling for it...
Fatal, I'm rooting for your DS as well, common foundation, gives us the news we want.

DS said to me the afternoon, I'm officially a Whitgift boy now. Lol!!

Can't add the list on my phone

Zato. T 11+

We only have an acceptance reply letter from Whitgift. Do I need to send a no reply ? Would like to so they know where they stand.

Starting to feel a bit freaked that you lot are going to know me instantly and I wont have a clue who is burnt out or likes it hot.