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!

Thank you @Wimbles101 ! Can the black bag have any sort of design/pattern, or completely plain black? Where did you buy the bag with back support please? That sounds such a good idea!
I still can't find the Trinity locker bags on Hewitts

How much of everything is sensible to get, particularly PE kit? At primary one set only comes home every half term but presumably with muddy sports and growing sweaty boys it might be a good idea to have more? Double everything? This is going to be expensive!

Hi @enterparentone, any black rucksack is fine I believe.

This is the one we got this time, which I've been really pleased with so far. No complaints from DS either, it has more compartments, and is easier on their backs. They do have to carry quite a lot of stuff back and forth if travelling by public transport! www.very.co.uk/yuu-yuuschool-bag/1600289744.prd

We only bought more socks and that's it, otherwise one each of the PE kit, but my DS is really more musical so doesn't that much team sport.

They bring the kit home every week so should have plenty of time to wash it.

By locker bags do you mean the PE bag? Or is that the one for valuable items? My top tip on the latter from another mum and a few boys is they don't use them, so not worth buying.

HTH

This thread is so useful! Thanks for all the tips and advice on uniform, equipment, etc. There’s so much to cover!

Are boys/parents expected to buy extras for any subjects as they get older (fancy calculators, foreign language dictionaries, etc.)?

When do we find out about tutors/classes/etc. and are they based on anything (results, sportiness, interview)? They said their Year 6/7 tutors were specially trained for new boys, is that a generic “they’re all great” line or have people found they are genuinely adept at settling new boys in?

We’re coming from a very small primary so it’s quite overwhelming!

Hi balhammum2019 - assuming it it Trinity you are asking about, I think we were told about classes/form tutors for First Year at the Saturday morning induction. The boys spent some time getting to know each other in their form room whilenparents heard from the Head etc and we then joined them to meet the tutor. Pretty sure the boys were put in forms according to which 2 languages they were learning, I don't know if there are any other factors as well. I don't know about training for the tutors but I found our son's tutor and head of year very good at helping them all settle in in a low key, unforced, way. Plenty of proactive communication from the Head of Year and form tutor always responsive. For uniform, we got everything we needed from Hewitt's at the induction morning and a second hand sale - no need to make a separate visit to the shop ime.

Thanks @Wimbles101 I've ordered the same bag!

Do boys generally all wear long sleeved shirts or short? Thank you!

@BalhamMum - we have generally found our form tutors to be very helpful, and kind. No idea whether they are specially trained tbh!

It is a step change from small primary but the boys usually settle down by half term of their first term, once they have got used to earlier starts, new routines, and longer journeys!

@enterparentone we wear shirts long and short according to the weather - T uniform policy is not as strict as others we've found - as long as the boys looks smart.

Anyone bought uniform yet? We bought most of the Whitgift uniform this week. A few items weren't in stock. They now do a sleeveless jumper which DS liked - apparently quite a lot of the new boys have opted for them. Very pleased it could all be labelled there and then. Disappointed with the backpack - seems inadequate - lacking pockets, not much space etc. Thanks to those who recommended not getting the valuables bag.

Seeming a bit more real.

We are booked in on Monday. Did you go for the coat? Still not sure what to do about that one. Also is anyone's 10+ DS getting the school bus from East Dulwich?

The school is trying to discourage the boys from carrying too many books so they seem to have gone for a smaller bag

I think the coat is good for cold and windy train platforms but it does depend on your child

Remember you can always get a coat later. You can call the shop and pay over the phone - your son then goes in at break and they fit and label the new garment

Yes, we went for the coat - it was only c.£25.

The size of the backpack will definitely discourage carrying too much. I'm now wondering if the valuables bag (that everyone claims isn't used) might be useful in that bag after all.

T parents - the kit list specifies an "ink pen" - do they mean a fountain pen? DS has never used one! It says biro as another item...
thanks!

When we bought Whitgift kit they did advise an inkpen but didn't have to be a fountain pen - so bought a Lamy Balloon pen that uses cartridges but is more like a ballpoint to use. Might be the same at Trinity?

Again things may have changed, but my DS has never had a fountain pen. He always likes the roller ball types.

Thank you @walkingtheplank and @Seeline ! Phew!

Got our kit yesterday! So the bag is not as small as I expected (or DS is on the small scale and therefore looks pretty massive on him)! I'm not sure how they will carry that and sports bag once it has various shoes in it..

The only thing you can really buy off-list are the trousers and socks..

Feels quite real now! Hopefully meet some of you at the parents evening next week!

I think I was comparing the bag to his sisters which is bigger and always crammed full.

I happened to see a Whitgift boy today carrying his sports bag. The 'boy' was probably around 6 feet tall and the bag looked quite mini compared to his tall body. It was hard to believe it was the same bag to be honest.

@walkingtheplank I found the sports bag quite small compared to the sports bag my son currently uses...

Is there a new headmaster starting at Whitgift in September?

Seems unlikely - the current one only started in September 2017

celticmumof3 - There will be a new deputy head appointed for the new school year, as the current one is off to Wellington school in Somerset.
www.trinity-school.org/trinitys-deputy-headmaster-appointed-head-of-wellington-school/

Has anyone considered tracker devices to fit to PE bags considering how much the uniform costs? At the 2nd hand sale a mum was there as her son had lost his ENTIRE kit - which had all been bought new! I was looking at the Tile ones. Wondered if existing parents used anything? Could also be good for musical instruments left on the bus...

I think there is a market for it - we lost an entire kit - left on the train and never seen again

Don't even start me on lost zip cards!

Hearing on the grapevine that Y7 at W is going to be v big as they had more acceptances than anticipated...has anyone else heard the same ? It did look pretty busy last Tuesday !

I have heard rumours of more schools ditching 13+ but I can't see W ditching it totally as they only offer boarding from 13+

That's a shame about it being big Y7. It's already a huge school and we almost declined the offer because of it. It's a negative for us that it's even bigger than we thought it was going to be.
Quite disappointed.