I know there is a starting secondary school thread somewhere but I cant find it and really need some flaps and honks!

[Ineedmorepatience]

Dd3's stress levels are going through the roof and I know why but cant do anything to help

We cut our holiday short this week because she was going downhill fast and didnt want to stay. I had planned to be away until Friday so she was occupied and not thinking about it.

She has melted down this morning over not being able to have a coloured door key, apparently our lock is too old And over not wanting me to have a cushion on the sofa!!

We need to make a new visual timetable for the mornings but not sure its a good idea, what do you all think?

She's coping with lunches (it is so much better than primary school that I can't begin to describe). The teachers just need to be reminded again that (especially year 7s) need to be reminded to get lunches before detention (and checked on).
She did get a snack at break, and there was food just not what she would buy (inflexible).
If she gets another 1/3 hour detention I will have to send her in with a sandwich.

The PE kit should be obvious (very distinctive bag), and we have spares for most of it (old style kit, but we'll probably be given leeway).

They are very strict but usually reasonable. (I'll chat to head of year tonight).

mummytime - hopefully detentions will now be a less daunting prospect if she didn't find it so bad. Hope the PE kit turns up.

ds2 seems to have had a reasonable day (well by his admittedly low standards) and ds1 has announced he is going to do horse muck therapy tomorrow. Will be interesting to see what this involves - he doesn't like even large dogs so imagine a horse will be a daunting prospect.

Hopefully your ds will be with his friend for some other lessons Polter and he has calmed down about the injustice.

Ha ha one Horse muck therapy sounds cool!!

Good news that Ds2 managed to get to school, did you have to take him?

mummy good news that your Dd coped ok with the detention. My Dd1 left 2 sets of PE kit on the bus when she was in yr 7 We did get one back but not the other. Hope yours turns up

Dd3 is also managing hot dinners which for her is a really good indicator of her stress levels. She is in a home work flap at the moment though!!

Well PTA social was very good. I talked to two HOYs. The serious one gets it, and is so much better than Primary - no blaming me, and just firm. The other reassured that they have 30+ PE kits missing at present, and DD has gone to look for hers again today, actually if necessary I can help her after school. The best bit is we forgot to put the trainers in yesterday, so still have those (and if I write in the planner she shouldn't get into trouble tomorrow for having "improvised" non-standard kit).

Its funny talking to other parents. Those from primary know DD well, and don't need much explained and are pretty supportive. The new ones I'm unsure how much to tell them, but there doesn't seem to be too much gossip yet.

A better day. One of 'the' boys who goaded ds appears to have broken his leg so he wasn't in drama which helped.

Be honest with me, are you or your son using Voodoo on these kids?

It's okay we won't tell anyone.

Ah ah! jason that's funny!

You know what the best thing is polter this teacher has admitted he has some understanding from a course, he hasn't claimed to know it all.

Ah ah! jason that's funny!

I have my moments

Yes, and that's a much better way to learn about things isn't it.

Great news polter it is good news that they are actually thinking about his issues before jumping straight to warnings

It is slightly odd about the 2 goady boys

Good news about the form teacher too.

We get to meet the new OT today, the primary one is coming to the new school to do a hand over which I was quite pleased with. Maybe school might start implementing some of their recommendations soon!!

Hope friday is kind to all our lovlies

Best day yet into taxi. Here's hoping school doesn't wreck it again. They are doing that "jeans for genes" thingy which we have ignored as (I) He hates that sort of thing and (2) After having finally persuaded him to wear a school uniform I don't think it is a good time to not do so.

Does he have somewhere quiet he can go if it rains Polter - otherwise I imagine it might get very noisy.

ds1 has been a bit stressed last couple of days so did not take well to ds2 accidently spilling his drink on their computer and wrecking it. He has had quite a lot of different things going on at school this week and I expect is just tired - he seems to have coped well with the horses yesterday which is good as the idea is I think to destress rather than the opposite.

My DCs primary school head tried to introduce a Jeans on Friday - my relatively NT children refused to take part (hated Jeans and preferred uniform). One boy at Senior school when finally persuaded to take part in "mufti" days used to wear a 3 piece suit.

I hope today goes well for everyone.

Dd found her PE kit yesterday, somewhere she had already looked (did stress prevent her seeing it?). She's also in top set Maths - hopefully she will meet the other geeks.

ds1 seems to be loving the greater range of subjects especially when there are practicals involved so science has been a massive hit and more surprisingly for him drama (this might be because they are doing something involving soldiers from what I can make out). To be honest Year 6 is such a boring year for them with SATS year 7 is almost bound to be more interesting.

is there any way he can desensitise himself to it?

polter sorry that that has happened again but great news that Ds handled it so well. Shame about the friend thing too

OT went well, Dd3 and the new OT went for a walk to locate a disabled toilet that Dd3 didnt know about and she has said she will try to use it once a day!!
They said they will talk to the school about the laptop situation.
I like the OT's they are a good team to have on board. They are going to see Dd3 half termly for now and I can contact them if I need to.

Dd3 is still liking science, they have looked at onion under the microscope this week which she loved. She also enjoyed food tech this week.

I agree about yr 6 being a total waste of time and am hopeful that learning some interesting stuff might help to motivate Dd3 to continue to attend school.

We have to go to Alton Towers on Sunday as I stupidly promised Dd3 a hoody from the 13 ride for her birthday which is next week and you can only buy them from the park!!! Thank goodness we have merlin cards!!

Hey ho

Must be an absolute nightmare in December.