Trinity/Whitgift 2019 thread

[enterparentone]

Is there a thread yet for parents with kids doing entrance exams in Jan? It's been so helpful looking through previous years threads and now we're going through it I'd love a hand-hold and any advice on what to expect!

More questions for W mums out there, this time on uniform.

Do all the boys have the school coat?

And can school shirts be bought elsewhere?

Do they cart around all those bags (5!) all the time or do they stay at school/home based on what's needed on which day?

Thank you all!

School coat and jumper are optional
Depends on your child's commute and their preferences

Shirts - depends on the year - Y7/8/9 wear a blue shirt that has the school crest on
9 and up wear plain white (I think) - so these can be bought anywhere

Bags - they only carry swim or PE when they have those lessons and I think there is a kit room where they can leave stuff
Lockers are also available - they need a padlock
My child has never used the valuables bag

Not sure why I didn't get a notification earlier, but thank you Seeline for all the Trinity info!

We want to book our summer holiday so just wondering if anyone knows if JBugs usually have any induction days over the summer holidays before term starts please? And is the date of the bonding trip in the school diary? Thank you!!!

Sorry mumsnet beginner here...what’s Jbugs?!

@enterparentone I assume you have the date of the new boys morning - usually end of June? The boys get to meet their form and form tutor (as do you, after a talk from the Head) - unless things have changed.
Other than that, they normally go into school the day before term starts in September for a bit of induction. JBugs went on their bonding trip for 3 days at the end of the first full week of term last year.
Unfortunately we only get access to the Diary on a termly basis with it being posted as the previous term ends. the boys bring home a hard copy for you each term, so I usually keep the previous year's set to refer to as the main things change little from year to year!

volpup JBug is the affectionate name used at Trinity for a member of the Junior form (Y6) 🙂

volpemum Sorry!

Thanks again Seeline oh font of Trinity wisdom!

We heard new boys morning was 22nd June. No info on other induction or the bonding trip though.

Many thanks EveEldon! So if we need a coat it has to be the school coat?

Is there an induction for the new boys at W? I'm sure we will all hear more about these things on due course!

Yes it has to be the school coat
I expect there will be a fair number at the next secondhand sale

Induction is usually a couple of days before term starts for everyone

There are also some sport and maybe science courses that you can attend in the holidays www.whitgift.co.uk/Courses.aspx

Information from W is starting to flood in! Anyone have any experience of the 3 day induction course? Looks like you can do 1/2 or 3 days. Anyone experience this last year? They also have a half day the day before term starts! Seems full on!

Yes, quite a lot of info this week. The 3 day induction is vague isn't it?
I've handed in most of the forms as was at Whitgift today anyway but not DS not sure what to do about learning an orchestral instrument. DS not keen.

I think most boys attended the 3D activity days (sports, music, and library) last year. DS found it very good as he made some friends and familiarized himself with the school facilities. A half day induction at the end of summer is a mandatory academic induction day. They will find out their form and meet their form tutor. You will have an opportunity to meet staff and ask questions when you collect the boys. DS is a very happy and proud Whitgift boy now. Good luck.

My son (joining upper first) will definitely be doing the full three days. He is already fairly familiar with the site, having been in for lots of sports courses over the last year or two, But he is chomping at the bit to get another look at the library. And meet his classmates to be of course. Great opportunities here we come!

Whitgift Secondhand Sale will be Sat 11 May 10.30am - 12 midday

@enterparentone and other T parents

Just seen in the new school diary that there is an induction afternoon for new lower school pupils on 30 August, starting at 12.30.

Forgot to say thank you @Seeline!

Can anyone advise what sort of bags the T boys need for sports kit/swimming stuff and general school bag please? Are there specific school ones (the Hewitts ones don't seem to be for T specifically) or colours/sizes? Will any pattern towel do? Do boys bring EVERYTHING in on day 1?! What sort of pencil case stuff do they need? (DS is very excited about the WHSmith trip!)

So excited about coming on 22nd and finally feeling properly like part of the school!!

Ps Hewitts 10% discount day is on 2nd & 3rd June

I can't get the Hewitts site to work properly at the moment, but for PE there is a locker bag like this with the T logo. My DS has had his since J Bugs and is still being used in L6.

I don't know whether is a specific requirement for school bags - there didn't used to be. My Ds has always used this They usually last a couple of years at a time.

ANy swim bag will do, as will any towel.

You will get a list of pencil case requirements! But generally just the standard stuff. The school will specify a calculator - which you can purchase direct from school at a discounted price. Have spares at home - they will get lost/misplaced. I have to say the T lost property system is fantastic and as long as everything is named, things do get back. I don't thin we have ever lost anything permanently.

I am sure you get instructions as to what to bring in when. I really can't remember that far back

There is another second hand sale is Saturday 15th June at 8.30am,

Having looked at the uniform list, can any existing Whitgift parents share their ideas on what uniform is compulsory/optional?

a) Bags – back pack, valuables, swimming, Olympic sports bag - are they all needed and must they be these specific bags? I understand the Valuables bag is never used.

b) Is the school coat is compulsory; I recall seeing a range of coats when I’ve visited

c) Games kit – PE Shirt and Games Shirt, PE Shorts and Games Shorts – what’s the difference? Are there some sports items that it is worth having more than one of – DS relatively sporty and I’m thinking Autumn could be a muddy term.

d) Sport footwear – only a mention of rugby boots but presumably need trainers, astros, football and rugby boot?

e) List includes a Beanie and Scarf – does this mean that boys can only wear a school hat/scarf.

Any tips on what to (not) buy or what one needs to have more that one of would be really useful.

@walkingtheplank - back pack and sports bag are logoed and must be the school ones. Swimming you can get away with non logo

If the boys wear a coat it is supposed to be the school one

Games kit - PE top is white, Games is reversible blue/gold, PE shorts and rugby shorts are different. Rugby boots - you can swap the studs or reuse for football I think. Trainers suitable for indoor use are needed

My kid has worn a plain beanie in cold weather

www.whitgift.co.uk/docs/7872-WhitgiftSchoolUnif.pdf

Thanks AveEldon this is so helpful !

I was told that the ladies at the Uniform shop are also really lovely and tell what you really need and what are extras ? Hoping they will guide me through it !

Walkingtheplank I have also heard that the valuables bag is never used. So definitely one to strike off the list !

Thanks Seeline!

Thanks AveEldon. Think I'll buy 2 of the outdoor kit as DS always finds the mud. Presumably that's the Games kit rather than PE kit.

@enterparentone - T doesn't require a specific school bag - as long as it's black. We initially purchased one from Hewitts but it got pretty bashed up after a year and a bit, and I've now bought a sturdier one with back support which will hopefully last a bit longer!

Hewitts usually come to the school I think it's on Induction day, can't quite remember, and you can purchase everything in one go then in terms of PE kit. That was the main uniform expense. Everything else is pretty cheap - blazer was £18 when we started two years ago.