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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Year 7 Starters

578 replies

pippistrelle · 30/08/2015 14:18

The new uniform is all ready, pens and pencils bought, as many of the practicalities that I can deal with now have been dealt with. So, just a few days to go. Daughter is getting nervous and, to be completely frank, I am a bit too. Not because I don't think she'll be fine but because, well, change can be daunting.

Anyone else at that stage too? Or, if you're already past this phase, how long did it take until you all settled in to a new routine?

(Couldn't spot any other general Year 7 threads, but apologies if there are any others already.)

OP posts:
moosemama · 02/09/2015 14:23

Persephone Flowers

I totally understand. Ds1 was horribly bullied in primary and I was so relieved when he was placed in a different school to his bully.

Here's hoping your dd's bully realised they are now a little fish in a big pond, rather than the other way around and that with the increased numbers of pupils their paths hardly cross.

Hope tomorrow goes well and she has a lovely birthday.

Anne sounds like the y8 girls were just out to cause upset - flexing their muscles at no longer being the youngest in the school.

I've asked ds2 to send me a text when he arrives. He did on induction day, but I'm we'll see how long he keeps it up once he's started there full time.

Dd starts back at primary tomorrow. Seems very odd only getting one child's things ready for that school. Even stranger now infants have free school dinners, as this will be the first year none of mine have had a packed lunch.

Just had to turn up ds2's blazer cuffs. We bought the smallest size they do, but I've still had to turn them back over an inch! I'd totally forgotten I needed to do it, until I got the uniforms out for labelling.

Elibean · 02/09/2015 15:18

My pfb starts tomorrow, as do most of her friends (but in a variety of other schools). She only knows the kids she met at her induction day, and is definitely anxious but equally excited. Has been for weeks.

My own anxieties revolve around the much earlier start (she finds it hard to get to sleep till late no matter what time she goes to bed or what she does/doesn't read or watch before bed) and the shift to more work. My prediction is that she'll love it for a week, cope for another week or two, then dissolve into exhausted misery. Clearly an optimisit, me Wink

WiryElevator · 02/09/2015 16:18

DS starts tomorrow. Main concerns: 2 trains, losing everything, not being able to tie his tie

Aaaaaaargh

BetsyBell · 02/09/2015 16:38

PFB started his secondary school today as a-year-7-only start day and has come back even more cheerful than he left this morning having made a new buddy and enjoyed everything about the day. Phew!

I haven't labelled everything yet though and only just realised yesterday that the uniform supplier omitted to send me all the necessary items. Argh. So naturally I am far more stressed out than he is.

DontCallMeBaby · 02/09/2015 16:42

DD has had a good day, DH is debriefing her ... I am attempting to be a good, organised parent by copying her timetable and making a mini version. Unfortunately my printer is being an arse so instead I am doing creative swears at hardware.

Original poster
pippistrelle · 02/09/2015 16:46

Hurrah for good days! Fingers crossed for more good first days tomorrow.

OP posts:
TheSecondOfHerName · 02/09/2015 17:14

DD said most things went really well today, although her pen stopped working in the middle of the assessment test and she still doesn't know where the loo is! However, she made lots of friends and managed the bus journey without getting lost.

DS3 also had a good day, but is tired from walking a total of 5 miles between home, school and sports pitches (different site from rest of school). He managed to nab a locker in a good location, felt the assessment tests went well, and found some friends to walk home with.

TheSecondOfHerName · 02/09/2015 17:16

DD is also v.happy with her timetable which includes ceramics AND textiles this term. Art is her passion and one of the reasons she and we chose the school.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 02/09/2015 18:26

Pfb started today and all seems well so far. I think this will last right up until he gets his first homework...

notsomanky · 02/09/2015 18:35

DD has come home happy.

She has made a new friend, and had just completed her first homework.

She is looking forward to tomorrow. Smile

moosemama · 02/09/2015 20:56

So pleased to hear everyone's had a good first day today. Smile

WiryElevator dh ties ds1's tie for him and then ds just loosens it to get it on and off over his head. He says all the other lads do the same to save time on changing for PE etc. The also keep their shirts buttoned, bar the top 2-3 buttons for the same reason.

IguanaTail · 02/09/2015 21:29

There we go! Glad they had a great first day!! May there be many more like it. They start getting really tired in week 4 so be prepared. The shine has worn off by then.

Our year 7s were delightful today. All shiny smiles and new pencil cases and fumbling with enough treats to last a week! Parents were waiting from about an hour before pick up time. Another year where we didn't lose anyone! Wink

Erm pippi I do have a heart...thanks. Sometimes framing things positively can make anxious people feel better.

Original poster
pippistrelle · 02/09/2015 21:58

I know, Iguana, and you helped me feel better about the whole thing by talking good sense. (And the way you describe your Year 7s is lovely to read: I hope my daughter's teachers are equally positive.) I just thought Persephone had particular worries, and with good reason. I didn't mean to offend you though, so, sorry for that.

OP posts:
RedCrayons · 02/09/2015 22:05

My pfbs (DTs) start tomorrow Sad. I'm worried sick! Thankfully I'm in work so will be distracted.

Persephone70 · 02/09/2015 22:11

Well, uniform is ready and has had a trying on session. Bag is packed, bus pass ready, birthday presents wrapped and bottle of wine consumed. DD is lying in bed, had a chat, and the mixture of first day nerves and birthday excitement is tangible! I am thinking positive thoughts and feel better after reading everybody else is in my boat with me (even if I do feel slightly paddle-less!). Here's to tomorrow! I think it will be the only morning I don't struggle to get DD out of bed! Good luck to all (just don't listen to ABBA's 'Slipping through my fingers' like I did)! Grin

moonshine · 02/09/2015 22:25

First day done and dusted and ds declared it 'fine' (after moaning about his too big blazer Grin). Wobble at the gate when he said 'I don't want to go in' [wipes tear] but he soldiered on and didn't look back. No allies in class yet but he did walk back with someone who he liked.

Tomorrow will be tougher as all the other huge kids years are in.

Good luck to others who haven't started yet.

Persephone70 the dynamics will change in a new school, surrounded by new faces, with new routines. Hope your dd seizes the initiative Smile

WiryElevator · 02/09/2015 22:41

moosemama - thanks so much! Info passed on Flowers

Persephone70 · 02/09/2015 23:21

Forgot to say thank you to all who have commented, it is amazing how much better a little camaraderie can make you feel! Star

nicoleshitzinger · 03/09/2015 00:27

Gah, DS was still awake at 11.45 despite having been sent to bed at 9pm. His first day tomorrow is going to be delightful! Shock

Stuffed his lunch bag full of the junk which makes him happy (lunchables, cookie) as a treat so he's going to come home like the toxic avenger too.

HPFA · 03/09/2015 07:01

DD up already and putting on her uniform - don't know if it's excitement or worry. Didn't even get annoyed when I nagged about deodorant - I think she's realised that getting known as "smelly girl" on the first day not a good idea. I'm sure I'll be crying later.

var123 · 03/09/2015 09:28

DS2 was fine right up until this morning. He was too nervous to eat any breakfast.

I watched him walking away with DS1 about an hour ago, glad for the support of being with someone who knows exactly what to do and where to go. I think he has finally found a reason to be grateful for having an older brother.

By tomorrow, he'll be fine (as will everyone else's DC) and within a month, primary school will seem completely irrelevant.

That's it for me though. I've just taken another major step towards redundancy as DS2 is my youngest.

RedCrayons · 03/09/2015 09:32

My two were ready to go at 730 Grin. How Long will that last?

the urge to follow them to school was overwhelming. Obviously I didnt.

allwornout0 · 03/09/2015 09:35

Mine starts tomorrow and is having a lot of nervous stomach aches.
She is going on a school bus which only is operated on school days but is open to the public, none of the schools start back until tomorrow (for Y7) so we thought we would have a trial run today.
The driver was really nice and said he was about to go back to the depot as there was nobody at any stops, he told us where was best to cross the rd after getting of the bus and where to catch it after school.
I just hope they turn up tomorrow morning as I have a feeling there will only be 1 or 2 children on the bus as it covers 3 schools but only Y7 start tomorrow.

Had a mishap with an iron and a pair of her sports socks last night and everywhere is sold out of them now. Tried called the school to find out if they need their sports kit but just have a message saying they are closed.
We haven't been told most things, we haven't even been given a list of term dates.

moosemama · 03/09/2015 09:47

Brew for all those with dcs starting today. Here's to more success stories this evening.

Had to crowbar both my older two out of bed this morning to sit with the dog while I took dd to school (dog howls when left - not nice for the neighbours at 8.30 am). Have told them they have to be up at school-getting-ready-time from now until their first day, so they get used to it - they are seriously unimpressed.

We're walking up to ds2's school with the dogs later, as another practise run. Going to make him wear his new school shoes to see if he still gets the foot pain he's been having. Will have to invest in some insoles if these shoes don't help - still waiting for his hospital appointment, which was supposed to happen in time to have this sorted before he starts. Hmm

Can I just ask. What do we do about sports kits. Is everyone sending them in on the first day or waiting until they have timetables? Seems like a daft question, but it will be so much easier for ds2 if he doesn't have to lug his there on the first day.

Lilaclily · 03/09/2015 09:55

Ours were told no need to bring games or pe kit on first day