Yr 7 - Anyone elses DC just left on their first school trip abroad? Mums, do you need a hug?

[BellaLasagne]

My DS left this morning for his first ever school trip to France. He has been really excited and I know he'll be just fine....but it's me left behind who has to put the brave face on, when actually I wanted deep down to go with him (pathetic and totally irrational, I know!). I suppose this is the first step in letting go of our babies!!

Anyone else in the same position this week, missing their DC already, and needing a hug?

Come and get it!!

Wow, is it usual for them to go abroad in Yr7? Our lot don't until Yr9.

Hope he has a fab time.

Thanks, I'm sure he will.

Yes, it's billed as a languages trip, plus an opportunity for them to be independent and bond with each other, which is great as they near the end of their first year together.

(Still can't help feeling a tiny bit wobbly though!)

Hi Bella - my DS1 currently Yr6 missed out on his residential last week due to an arm injury and I was having butterflies about him going away for a week down to Lincolnshire.

He is already planning in his head the trips in Yr7 which are abroad (gulp). His class have gone for an arts and crafts day up to the new school today and he is so excited about the whole thing.

Hi Bella (brill name!!),

Yr 7 is such an exciting time for them, I hope your DS enjoys his. My DS has really matured and thrived over the past 3 terms (and grown about a foot!).

I have to say it's absolutely whizzed by. It doesn't seem like a year since he went for his Induction Day (and locally they've just done this years Yr 6s.)

My DS was the only one from his primary to go to this secondary school but he's settled in a treat. So having this opportunity is brilliant for him, if scary for me.

The only other time he went a way was to a cub camp about 3 years ago. Although he put a brave face on it and said he enjoyed it, it came out later (as these things tend to do) that he was quite homesick. I'm just hoping that this time, there are so many activities organised, he won't have the time to miss home.

DS went to France for the day on Friday, he also went to the German christmas markets in December overnight. He has had a brilliant Year 7, can't believe it is nearly over.

Hope your DS has a lovely time

Yes, dd is coming home from France tonight (been for a long weekend). Haven't heard from her at all, which I'm assuming is a good thing. Expect they'll all have a great time - how long has your ds gone for BellaL?

He went this morning, should be just about there by now. Back Friday evening.

Hope your dd had a great time. I'm a firm believer in no news is good news too.

Please remember to thank the staff when you pick him up.

I take yr7 students to Germany every year. It's absolutely exhausting; we are on duty 24/7, the journey is very long, we have to deal with everything from clearing up vomit, lost my money, homesick at 1 am, etc. It's my favourite week of the whole year, but also the most tiring. We can't go to bed until we are sure all the children are asleep, and we always get up and shower before waking them.

When we get back on average we get thanks from about 5% of the parents! Some of them think we're lucky to be getting a free holiday.

She was very tired but happy. They had a lovely time & really enjoyed it (except they didn't get to do the zip wire and abseiling for some reason).

Will def. thank the staff Roisin - we had to dash off without speaking to them as they arrived late and just 5 mins before ds's piano concert, but I shall send an email.

Oh absoutely Roisin - I think the staff are brilliant and I certainly couldn't do what they do.

Glad your DD had a good time snorkle!