Y7- 2023/24 support thread

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Hi, just dropping in a thread for those of us who have kids starting secondary this coming September. There was a lovely thread going last year and they are carrying it on into Year 8, so here is a place for us the year behind.

How is everyone feeling as they finish Primary and prepare for Secondary?

Dd is moving from a single form entry "family feel" type cosy Primary into a large 8 form entry, multiple building secondary. She's going alone, her primary class are really split up across multiple secondaries.

The transition days helped, and she is excited,but has been really sad this weke saying her goodbyes

Is everyone prepped for uniform etc?

Primary - 3
Secondary - 4

2 to 9.
Think shes about to get first period this week too at just over 11, so fun week!
Shes not anxious
Im not looking forward to trying to get her out of house 45min earlier

@twistyizzy hope your feeling better now! Glad I'm not the only bag of nerves on here!

I'm currently, reluctantly Ironing all the uniform remembering why I love the summer holidays so much!

We are waiting for the sleepless nights to start, my son had a wobble last night and slept with my dressing gown. He hates big changes like this so I'm putting on a happy face not showing my nerves.

I'm dreading the new morning routine, it'll be a big change for the whole household

Going from 2 form primary to 8 form secondary.

I was having a massive wobble last weekend and felt really anxious but I've calmed down a bit.

DD is nervous and according to my mum friends all their kids are the same.

I've downloaded the relevant apps and DD has finished the homework set. Just need to label the uniform.

I’m impressed at all the schools/ people who have sorted out apps etc already - expecting to have to rifle through DS2’s bag to get logins etc after day 1 (and if last time is as anything to go by, spend the next week struggling with tech issues. Having it all set up in advance / when I have time to wrestle with it much better idea!
@MumSi87 hope the dressing gown helped.
Worried about morning routine here too - going to phase in earlier rising starting tomorrow here - less of a shock to the system come Wednesday then.

@Walkingbkwrm it did help thank you :) it's his comfort when he's nervous, poorly or worried since he was little. I'm waiting for apps and log ins too.
We got back on Tuesday so started earlier mornings last week, the temptation for one last lie in tomorrow though lmao

@Busornobus67 bless her, what timing to get it in her first week. Hopefully her body will cut her some slack and wait until week 2!

If its any consolation all of the mums on the new Yr 7 WhatsApp group are also nervous for the first week! It is such a big step for them all to move up from primary.

I did mean it's a big step for the kids but actually I think it's a big step for parents too 😄.

@twistyizzy couldn't agree more

Yes, I'm quite nervous whereas DS is not nervous at all. Of course, I've been through secondary and know how children this age can behave...

I've woke up feeling quite nervous today. Dd is so excited for tomorrow.
I can remember my first day and I hated it. Didn't have many friends and the few I did started making new friends straight away.
I spent most of year 7 floating around. Not feeling included.

Dd is much more sociable than me though so I hope she will fit in better than I did.

Trying to think if I've forgotten anything now .

@BirthdayFlake I really hope tomorrow goes well for you all. Nerves have hit here too your not on your own. I'm sure there will be so many names of new friends that you won't be able to keep up. I keep going through everything in my head too. Roll on day 2

Final panic dash into town completed for a padlock, mini deodorant and goggles!
Gone through school bag + PE bag ready for tomorrow (yes they have PE for all Yrs on the first day back).
Took her out for a lovely brunch, not quite the weekend away we had planned but I'm still feeling delicate after Covid.
Just got the mouthguard to mould tonight and then she's all set!

Our school has Y7 and Y12 in for an induction day on Wednesday and then everyone else starts back on Thursday. Just realised I am supposed to have bought a mini-dictionary and thesaurus for use in school, but otherwise I think we are ready!

My dd has gone from a 1 form school to a 4 form so not to bad.

year 7 did a morning at the school,on Friday and whole school from today.

she has already lost her tie !! It’s a flipping clip on!!!!!😮‍💨

I could cry - school just emailed the start of
term letters, which included some additional guidance on the shoe policy.
I specifically said to the fitter when we bought his shoes that they must look like shoes, not trainers. But having received the additional guidance this afternoon, I think they won’t be acceptable 😭
Good thing I hadn’t cut the labels off or anything yet… I’ve ordered some new ones which will arrive Wednesday, will return the current ones to the shop, and get him to wear his old ones tomorrow - which thankfully still fit! They are also not acceptable, but I’ve prepped him to explain if he gets challenged.
DS has ASD, and I believe I do too, and this has completely thrown me!
My friend said why don’t I email the school and explain, but I don’t want to be THAT parent before even the first day!
sorry #whingebag

Can you show us a picture to see how trainer like they are

These are the ones I bought - and the guidance

I know I could argue with them over it, but I’d rather return these and have something I know is going to be acceptable!

Oh no @markusdam and @TeaandHobnobs , commiserations to both situations, how frustrating when you thought you were all organised. Re the tie I bought 2 as I am basically assuming they will be the thing that walks, hoping to be proved wrong obviously!
Good luck to all who start tomorrow, hang on that roller coaster those who have already started, and joining you in nerves those who start later in the week...

@TeaandHobnobs I think they will be fine!

@TeaandHobnobs I think they will be fine as well, as long as the sides of the soles are smooth?

I had a wobble today when friend mentioned that their school says shirts should be long sleeved and we've only got short sleeves. The website wasn't clear so had to ask on the PTA FB page and thankfully they can have short sleeves.

@TeaandHobnobs How ridiculously short notice and how frustrating!

Good luck to everyone whose DC are starting tomorrow. 🤞they all have a good day.

That's not the best timing.

If it makes her feel any better, my DD will be starting Y7 with her period.

Hope she's OK, it is a big change for them.

Good luck everyone. I've got my first day at a new job tomorrow too so won't be able to see DD2 off - they start a bit later tomorrow. She knows quite a few people going so should be fine but it's her first time in uniform which I suspect she'll find hard. They have to wear blazers at all times apparently even when it's this hot!

DH has strict instructions to take a first day picture.