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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

One week and counting till Yr 7

41 replies

FedupofTurkey · 26/08/2014 07:58

Support thread for those moving up from primary. Nervous for my quirky ds as he doesn't know anyone in class.

OP posts:

HSMMaCM · 27/08/2014 09:39

I followed DD's bus on her first day in yr 7. Saw her get off, holding her head high and matching confidently into school.

mychildrenarebarmy · 27/08/2014 13:28

longtallsally, don't worry. As far as DD is concerned I am exceptionally excited for her, which I am, she doesn't need to know that I feel a little sad that she is moving on to a new stage. I say about being a gibbering wreck somewhat tongue in cheek. It is so sad that your mum couldn't be happy for you, or at least not share with you that she wasn't.

HSMMaCM My mother in law recently admitted that she used to occasionally follow DH's school bus to make sure he got there ok. He never knew until now (about 20 years later). Prior to that he had been all "Oh, yes well of course when I was 11 I was getting the bus at 7am all by myself and not getting home until 5pm."

longtallsally2 · 27/08/2014 14:18

Glad to hear it, mychildren! Have just remembered following ds1 on his first school trip for the first 10 miles or so on a coach - at a safe distance, of course! Absolutely fine, as long as they don't know until at least 20 years later

BackforGood · 27/08/2014 14:30

Great posts by Coolas Not a secondary teacher, but have 3 in (or now gone thru) secondary and she's spot on.

mychildrenarebarmy · 27/08/2014 14:48

My DD is walking five minutes to school longtallsally, so chances of following her without being spotted are non-existent. Will just have to wait patiently for her to return home.

gymboywalton · 28/08/2014 10:54

I have finally got everything ticked off my list and labelled.

vjg13 · 28/08/2014 11:26

My younger daughter starts tomorrow, year 7 and sixth form only, very excited! Doesn't know anyone but looking forward to making friends and all the grown up bits, buses, lunch money, own key etc

PastSellByDate · 28/08/2014 11:46

Really useful reminder Coolas that from our DC's perspective it's a busy, exciting time. Thank you.

I hadn't thought about it be tiring - so during September I'll try to ensure early nights and will be alert to any 'settling in' pangs from DD1 about 3 weeks in.

From my persepctive - my worries aren't so much for DD1 (although some of her close friends from primary are off to other schools - she is going with a few good friends) but my worries revolve around whether the school is really 'good' or not (the school is just out of special measures).

Having just heard the headlines this a.m. about little social mobility and the elite are largely prviately educated (e.g. www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-28953881) - I can assure you that as a parent it's that kind of thing and hoping our local comprehensive isn't too awful that ties my stomach into knots.

However life is a funny journey and although 'what you know' deeply matters - your personality/ enthusiasm, luck and who you know also play a huge part.

I'd also love to get the usual 'first day of school in new uniform' photo - but DD1 may not be so willing this year.

BackforGood · 28/08/2014 11:57

Oh yes, PastBy you still have to do it.
My last one was taken last year, as dd2 started secondary - dd1 was starting Yr10 and ds Yr13, but they still had to be on one.

It's the law.

clary · 28/08/2014 14:01

Oh yes 1st day back piccie... this is the first (and last) time my 3 are all at the same school as they did infant and junior before.

So I need a 1, 2, 3, black blazers and shiny black shoes, tidy hair and neatly tied red and green ties. The fact that DS1 (yr 11) and DD (yr 9) don't have to be in until 11.30 will cut no ice with me - they need to be photo ready at 8.15

dancestomyowntune · 28/08/2014 21:10

my oldest starts at her selective secondary next wednesday. we have done the trial runs on the bus, been and got the school uniform, labelled it, got the stationary, labelled it (dd not the most organised child... taking bets on how quickly she'll lose it all!!) and got the hair app booked for tuesday.

she didnt know anyone, but did a transition summer school and made a couple of friends so feels quite confident now!

loving Coolas posts. what a caring teacher to ring parwnts and let them know how the first day is going

nachohousekeeper · 28/08/2014 21:35

Coming at it from the other end, my PFB is about to start Y11.

She loved her middle school and was very anxious about going to a big secondary school. She has loved mostly every minute. Despite it being a massive school, they seem to have a good grasp of DCs strengths and weaknesses. Also, despite it being big and scary, the kids seem to thrive on being treated much more like grown ups and it truly has been the making of DD.

Wishing everyone lots of luck, parents and DCs. They'll all make you proud

Coolas · 28/08/2014 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

paddythepooch · 29/08/2014 08:34

Keep saying to dd who is going to school where she doesn't know anyone:

Try everything, talk to everyone and smile.

Am excited for her starting this next chapter. She is a bit shy but gets stuck in and secondary is just full of lots of different experiences, subjects and clubs.

Great advice coolas about being tired and 3 week dip

vjg13 · 29/08/2014 09:40

Paddy, my daughter sounds similar and doesn't know anyone but was very excited getting her bus this morning, fingers crossed she has a good day.

PastSellByDate · 04/09/2014 13:45

Hi all:

Hope all your DCs/ PFBs made a good start in Y7. DD1 seems to have had a good first day and we're hoping today goes as well (and they sort out the locker combination problem for her).

Just thought I'd let you know DD1 relented (thanks to persuasion from DD2) and I was able to get a photo of both girls in their school uniform - the compromise was that it was out back in our garden (out front would be too embarrassing! apparently).

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