Year 7 starters, not long now...

[Mimx]

Just back from holiday, and (once I’ve cleared the laundry) switching my attention to what we still need to do in the next two or so weeks before DS1 starts secondary school. Most of his uniform is bought, but need school shoes, rugby boots, trainers (and in adult sizes, dreading the cost!). And not started on anything apart from clothes, so will need to find out what’s needed for stationery etc.

DS is looking forward to it I think, not too nervous, despite hardly knowing anyone else who’s going. He is worried about whether he’ll lose touch with his existing friends, though, they are a nice group, but heading off to four different schools.

How’s everyone else getting on?

[Echobelly]

DD started today - seemed to have a good time. Unlike in my day when you saw the school one evening and were dumped there she's already done taster days and a 3-day summer school, so it's much less overwhelming than some places.

[DebbieFiderer]

Oh I think it's fab! I was just more than a little surprised!

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

oh Latin is great. seriously. I did it at school and it really does help with both English and other languages as well as science and spellings.

[DebbieFiderer]

So it turns out DD is going to be learning Latin! The first we knew about it was when it appeared on her timetable. It's seems that a few (don't know how many) of the year are going to be doing it, it's the first time they've done it, the school have said nothing about it at all though. Just one lesson a fortnight. As I said before - the school has high aspirations 😂

[Mimx]

First day done and dusted here, DS said it was good. So far he seems to be sticking to the few children he sort of knows (did this on the induction day too), so encouraging him to branch out a bit in who he talks with. But he’s happy to go back tomorrow, which is the main thing!

[IToldYouIWasFreaky]

DS is starting tomorrow. He's also had a stack of homework to do (another bog standard comp in a challenging area with high aspirations!)
I've offered to drop him off for his first day but he's happy to walk it. I just need to nag him into texting his friends and organising when/where to meet.
The parents' group on Facebook is driving me mad already!

[DebbieFiderer]

Well, she survived her first day, won't admit to having enjoyed it, but can't stop talking about it and has made some new friends, so I'll call that a success 😉

[DebbieFiderer]

Bog standard state secondary, in a relatively deprived area with a challenging intake, however it is part of an academy trust and has high aspirations. A lot of the tasks were quite simple, the writing ones were a page of A4, the PowerPoint is a max of 4 slides. She could have done it easily with as little as half an hour a day, but has been procrastinating, and DH didn't help by not reminding her on his days in charge!

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

ours is a state comprehensive

[Ithinkmycatisevil]

@DebbieFiderer

That sounds like loads? Is it a grammar school? DD2s been given nothing to do at all, which I’m pleased about.

[Mimx]

That sounds quite a lot, Debbie and nonickname, but I guess it’s getting them back into the mindset. We did a bit of French on holiday, that been all. DS hasn’t really done much work since SATs it seems, so will likely be in for a shock next week!

Good luck for tomorrow for the Monday starters!

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

That sounds similar to what my daughter had (although ours were short tasks, yours sound much more in depth). A selection of stuff for each subject but they didn't have to do everything which was good as I struggled to get her to do it. So she has ended up with some sections done in detail and others being rather brief but at least she has something to hand in.

[DebbieFiderer]

They had something from every subject, ranging from making a poster about all the different science equipment, to writing a paragraph about themselves in French and Spanish, to a history newspaper article on one of a choice of about 5 topics. She needs to finish the science poster and write up the newspaper article neatly from her draft, and then do the DT which is a fact sheet or power point about different types of plastics.

[Joyfulincolour]

We are in the same position that my dd is the only one going to her new school, so we haven’t got anyone to check with for things! I’m glad she wasn’t set any homework! It would have put her off but at the moment she’s excited 😆 We are heading to buy new trainers today and then I think we are done. Just got to label her things today. I’m excited for her starting and hopefully for the new opportunities and interests it will bring. She has some additional needs so I just hope the friendship thing works out ok.

[missmapp]

Ds2 is starting on monday. His older brother is going into year 10, so it is more familiar than when he started. He will have a bus journey and the day ends earlier for yr 7 so won't be with his brother coming home. No one else from his school is goung, but as seems fine.Hopi g it will all go well next week . Will be glad when we are back in a routine

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

what sort of homework has she been set DebbieFiderer? My daughter had some projecty type stuff to do

[DebbieFiderer]

DD doesn't seem to be too nervous, but she is stressing about the homework that she still needs to do - she's done about 90% of it but there are still two pieces to finish and one that she hasn't even started despite plenty of nagging

[Ithinkmycatisevil]

Dd2 starts on Thursday. She isn’t nervous at all, neither am I really. Dd1 is going into y10, and dd2 does a club at the school, as they hire out their halls to local groups, so it’s a familiar place.

I’ve been organised and everything is now brought and labelled ready to go.

[mrselizabethdarcy]

DS is starting to get a bit nervous I think....He keeps randomly mentioning school so it's obviously on his mind . He will know a few people but most of his primary are going to a different school so im hoping he makes new friends. Uniform all got....just need to label everything.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

Debbiefiderer I would expect the school to herd them in the right direction on the first morning. We have been told there will be staff on the gate and playground for our year 7s to direct them to the right places.

[TheDrunkMoth]

We are starting Wednesday. Think I’m more nervous then DD! She’s seems totally relaxed and quite looking forward to it.
I’ve been well prepared this year. Even bought school shoes at the beginning of the holidays so going to have a try on today and keep my fingers crossed they still fit. Still to label everything - But I think I’ll do that today so can double check my list and ensure I have all that is needed.

I’ll be glad once next week is over and I can relax back into a routine😅

[DebbieFiderer]

The whole school starts back on Tuesday, no special start for Y7. And we've just had an email to say they need to take their PE kits on the first day, DD is not impressed!

I just need to work out where she goes when I drop her off on the first day, we haven't been told anything about going to the hall first so I'm assuming they just go straight to their form rooms (except she can't remember the way!). I'll try and arrange somewhere for the girls from her primary school (only 3 of them, all the in same form) to meet, so they can all go in together.

[Mimx]

When are people’s first days? DS is in on Tuesday, just the year 7s, then everyone in on the Wednesday. One local school here is starting today!

[Mimx]

Mumski you’ve just reminded me that I have done no labelling yet - and not bought labels as per SJane’s recommendation upthread. Need to get onto that! I dread to add up what the total cost has been, so need to make sure things don’t go missing!

DS has to go on public transport to school so we’ve got a couple of tile mates to put in his school bag and music case so we can track them down if he leaves them behind. Haven’t tested them yet though!

[Mumski45]

Hi
DS2 starts secondary on Tues next week. Uniform , shoes and rugby boots bought and labelled. Phone and stationery sorted through a combination of previous birthday and Xmas presents. Homework given on the induction day has been done - initially very badly as he got out of the habit of putting effort in but it is now done to a reasonable standard. I even got DH to open a bank account for him today so that he will have a contactless card for the bus fare. Thought it was all sorted until today when I realised he doesn't have a sports bag yet so not quite as ready as I thought we were.
I'll be so glad when the holidays are over and we can get back into some sort of routine again.
Ds is really looking forward to next week and is eager to make new friends. I just hope that it all lives up to his expectations as he may have a bit of reality check coming.