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!

I think 13+ entry is secure for a while. Whitgift, along with DC and probably Trinity, has recently announced it is moving to ISEB pre-tests for 13+ entry. I suppose from the school's point of view this gives them the opportunity to look at possible 11+ entrants and 13+ entrants at the same time.

I was at Whitgift last week and asked staff how many new boys in Year 7 and was told 140. But I think you have to add another 50 to include the current Y6.

Confirmed 10+ entry for 2019 is 76... usually only 60 so it seems like they have increased intake!

Anyone know what the intake is for 10+ at Trinity this year? I wonder if the same pattern is repeated?

Presumably Whitgift didn't go to the waitlist then if they had more acceptances than expected.

I wonder if this was due to us being in the bulge birth years now.

Current parents - how much are hot lunches at Trinity please? Do plenty of DS's still take packed lunch? Dilemma here as DS has always been hot dinners but I have a feeling secondary could be a lot more expensive...but oh the time and faffing saved!!

They have a pre paid card and buy what they like so prices vary. You can try and set a daily limit but I never had much success with that and my Ds!

Also lunch is late. 1.10, so they tend till fill up on snacks at break cause they're really hungry, and then end up with more snacks at lunch because they're not that hungry anymore.

I know some take packed lunches, but know idea how many.

Last week at the Whitgift Information evening, we were told that we would receive information this week about the new lower school curriculum. Has anyone received that yet - just asking in case our post has been delayed.

@walkingtheplank

Nothing received yet, but I think we should also receive a film about the new school strategy soon.

There are two interesting article in The Times today about Whitgift school that make you wonder about their pastoral care.

For those that have subscription to the Times Newspaper

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dad-of-confessed-drug-user-pupil-hits-out-at-school-m0lc979dv

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-lesson-in-drugs-from-the-gove-school-of-dabbling-j52rjtkhw

So the parents chose to withdraw their son rather than speak to the Head.

I'm not sure and doubt if we will even find out. In the article the choice was either
withdrawing their son OR
attending a meeting with the headmaster at which they were warned their son could be expelled.

Probably the agenda for meeting the headmaster was you either withdraw your son otherwise he will be expelled, with that going on his record/reference.

Otherwise why would any parent decline meeting the headmaster?

The HM was just going through the works. Like with a job, the kid WAS going to be expelled. I read somewhere that some schools don't give you the chance to withdraw your child b fore he is formally expelled and that gets in the record. So this was pure procedure..... having said that, the drugs episode does worry me

• DO give you the chance...

Hi everyone! Sorry for asking here, but I have a tiny question and don't think it's reasonable to open a new thread. It's about parking and picking up DSs from Trinity after school. How it works? I will be picking up my son after maths event in a week from Trinity (he is not a Trinity student) and want to be sure that I can do it. Thanks!

It will be possible, but how easy will depend on the time of pick up. The main school day finishes at 3.45 so the car park is always a bit chaotic until about 4. There are then busy times at 5 and 5.30 as activities end. You can drive in from either Addiscombe Road or Shirley Road. If you come from Shirley Road, go straight over at the little mini roundabout just inside the gate. If it's busy just keep circling the area!

Thanks Seeline! I will drive from Shirley road, the event should finish at 3.30, so hopefully will find a space:)

Trying to find any parents of children starting in Trinity 1L this Sept, thought it would be nice to get the boys together over the summer. Thanks x

To Whitgift parents:
With regards to the 3 days of induction starting on 27th August, given that the days are almost all sports sessions, would you expect to send your son in wearing sports clothes or would they wear normal clothes and then change.
I know it's early to ask this but I'm way for much of August and possibly not even dropping off son to the induction myself. Trying to get ahead of myself!

@walking, the letter says to bring sports kit in a bag, so mine will change into sports gear when they get there.

Might help if I read the letter then! Thank you.

Cautious of exposing myself as that parent who doesn't read the letters we receive , what sports shoes are Whitgift parents buying in advance of the start of term? I think we could end up with 4 different types. Would be useful too if there were some existing W parents who could help with this one.

Your son will need a pair of trainers with non marking soles for use inside the sports hall - these can be any kind

Plus a pair of rugby or football boots with screw in studs

Sorry.. whitgift mums.. think this may have been mentioned before, but do boys need rugby boots and trainers? Can’t seem to see it on uniform list.
Also, I recall someone mentioning setting up a WhatsApp group.. or are we waiting til we know form groups?
I’ve also just seen letter mentioning watches and calculators to be engraved??!!
Also, do boys need to take in towels/shower gel for after sports??