1st time boarding, what to pack?

[MyNewNewlife]

My Ds 16 is going to board for 6th form. He has been to a local private day for secondary but is moving quite far away for 6th form.

How much does he need to take

He has to wear plain suits during school day so i have brought him 3
5 white shirts
Smart shoes and a more casual pair
4 pairs of trainers (one for
Sports)
School Sports kit
3 tracksuits
3pairs of jeans
4 casual trousers
Winter coat x2
Waterproof jacket x 2
4 pyjamas and house coat
4 hoodies
15 T shirts
8 general tops/ jumpers
15 boxers
15 pairs of socks
Hiking gear
Toiletries 2 of everything

He will be there for 7 weeks 😟

Thinking they will do a wash each week and not wanting him to get overwhelmed with washing organising etc

What additional items? Favourite food, drinks and snacks?

Any advice most welcome

No matter how well you label, he will come back with a load of other people's (labelled) stuff and only half of his own.

Do not send anything which cannot withstand the brutalities of the school wash.

He will want some pictures/posters/photos to decorate his room/space.

Mine took a goldfish in its tank once. He also forgot to pack underpants.

Name chargers plugs and cables (i got some 3d printed names that attach to them), battery packs. Send him with some stick on/iron on labels or sharpies for things you send on later. Airtags on anything precious - I'm constantly amazed at the incredibly valuable items that seem to just get lost around DD's school - I always know where her computer and musical instruments are because I've tagged them.

What a helpful bunch of replies! Thank you all! I feel so better prepped. I weeded down the clothes list and ordered mesh bags and more labels lol

Protein bars and shake mix are the only snacks he's requested.

Oh and 2 pairs of checked pj bottoms lol which he is most excited about (go figure, they were £12 from primark)

Now i just need to learn life without him bouncing about, giving me random hugs and kisses on my head.. and eating everything!

Oh I forgot about charging cables - more than you ever think he’ll use! They seem to become instant communal property and at the same time they can never find one to use.

This is really helpful and I have most of the stuff mentioned and have just gone upstairs and culled the pile of home clothes!

Is there anything else really random that was super useful to your dc as new boarders (for reference DS, Year 9) or that I might not have thought about?

Something someone told me today: coat hangers.

A little plastic crate for putting the toiletries in comes in handy.
Shoe polish- one of those instant shine ones
More socks than you'll ever imagine they will need
A pack of cards
A lint roller

These are what I've just added to the pile!

Multi block surge protector with a long flex as the sockets are always in really inconvenient spots in the room, and there are never enough (extension cords are almost always banned but surge protectors arent)

a foam mattress topper for his bed - they are usually like sleeping on a cardboard box wrapped in a shower curtain and an extra pillow

do the school provide sheets and a duvet?

something to carry his toiletries to and from the toilets/shower rooms - and tell him to NEVER leave anything in the shower rooms/toilets as they will be used and abused by the others

is he allowed a few posters for his walls?

a couple of small comfy cushions for his bed and a fleece blanket to chill in when he has some down time

more socks than everyone thinks he need…they disappear

a small bluetooth speaker

good noise cancelling headphones

ear plugs

water bottle

Strict instructions to video chat you once a week at a certain time

And buy charging cables and chargers in really awful colours or wrap vile coloured duct tape around them…no one will ‘borrow’ them and he will be able to find them easily

thanks @Mammamiammamia and @SeaToSki

School provide sheets but I need to bring the rest- that's all done including mattress topper. He is allowed posters etc. for a pinboard but the boys don't seem to bother - that said I think he's taking his football calendar- although I did ask him if he was prepared to take the risk of it being defaced by a rabid Gunners fan. He has a hanging washbag for his toiletries but a small caddy probably a good idea too. I have bought Mitchum deodorant to insure against less than daily application!

We actually live quite close to the school so I guess anything he needs we can drop in there the next weekend. It''s hard to know exactly what he'll want until he's "living it" so to speak.

The AirTags are being charged- thinking school bag and sports bag. The guitar will have to fend for itself.

My advice is to get sewing if there's a central laundry system! You need to name everything including socks, loops to they are strung together.

Thankfully my dc's boarding had them do their own laundry, saving my feared sewing of labels

Also need indoor and outdoor sports shoes plus maybe one casual paid. Not 4

They are allowed out so can procure more toiletries if needed.

Amazon prime is your friend for all bits forgotten!

@mitogoshi thanks- yes- school requires 2 pairs of sports trainers plus rugby boots and he'll also take casual trainers and sliders.

I think we're getting there.

I've been told an umbrella is social death for some reason. He may well change his mind on the first day of torrential rain with a 10 min walk to breakfast but as you say.... Amazon can deal with that.

mine liked to take their own duvets and pillow too. As well as the mattress topper of course.
Check what electrics they are allowed in their rooms. He may want a fan if it's warm when he goes. DC's boarding houses/bedrooms were always really hot.

Pot noodles, Nesquick, multi bags of crisps, biscuits.