First days at secondary school

My eldest granddaughter started secondary school on Tuesday ( some may recall the huge fight we had to get her into her local school on appeal) . I have never felt so happy and proud in my life and despite the struggle we have had to find her a uniform that fits ( she's the size of an average 7-8 year old) she looked fantastic and so "grown up". She insisted on walking to school alone ( it's only a stones throw from home) despite not knowing a single soul and came back as high as a kite on Tuesday teatime. We laughed when she told us she was allocated a locker on the third level ( they are apparently stacked 3 high) and she couldn't reach it so they moved her down to the middle and yes you guessed... she still couldn't reach the lock. Bless her heart good job she can giggle at herself and as I keep telling her "the most precious things come in very small packages"

Excellent gillybob I was hoping you would post. All is well now then?
My DGD is very bright and in the words of a psychologist " grazes the end of the autistic spectrum" She has problems with the social side of life. There are a few of her primary school friends at the new school so we are hoping all will be well for her. No bullying as she had at her previous school.

All is very well Thank you BBbevan, just starting another up hill climb to try and get her siblings into a primary closer to home.

She was really quite worried last week ( I had the children all week) and admitted to feeling frightened not knowing anyone. Apparently she has made some new friends already so that's great. Secondary school is such a difference from primary and going from being a big fish ( well in my DGD's case maybe not so big) in a small pond to being a minnow in a huge pond can be quite daunting can't it ?

I think quite often even when children move schools with some of their old classmates they tend to meet a whole new group of friends at secondary school. I do hope the new school keeps on top of bullying ( which I hate ) for your DGD BB and that she meets one or two special likeminded friends along the way too .

My DGS started on Monday - I had a big lump in my throat at the pics DDIL sent as he set off in his 'will grow in to blazer' and far too long trousers!

Gilly I'm so pleased that your DGD had a good first day, after all your hard work - imagine if she'd hated it!

Thank you River yes huge relief that it all seems to be going very well so far .

We had such a struggle getting ( very strict) uniform to fit her but the specialist suppliers were very helpful. Her PE kit (again very strict ) is another matter and I don't think she will ever grow enough to fit into it .

Those pictures of "first days" are fantastic aren't they ? The new shoes, the huge grin, the too big blazers . Happy days

My DGD actually went back to secondary school on Tuesday but as a year eight (i.e second year) .
She was very nervous as she has two really good friends and was anxious that they would be in different sets this year.
However, alls well that ends well. One friend is in her sets, the other is not.
Just shows that the anxiety over a new school year isn't limited to first year.
So glad for you gillybob .

My DGD also went into yr8 today she had a panic this morning, can't remember where her new locker is, forgotten if she needs PE kit , will her very few friends be in today.

I think High schools are stressful places despite the age nowadays I feel sorry for the less confidant kids.

Thank you grannysue

You are all so kind.

I think 6 weeks is a long time to be away from school, especially for those children who don't see their school friends during the holidays. My DGD didn't know a soul until she met her classmates for the first time on Tuesday (as she was the only child not coming from a feeder primary). She's keen to join in everything so shouldn't have too much trouble making new friends. Fingers crossed.

Just spoke to DDiL who made me laugh (again) the children are allowed a mobile phone in school although it must be switched off promptly at 8.45. DDiL said she rang lots of times between 8.20 and 8.40 (just to check she had arrived safe and well) only to receive a very firm text at 8.43 from DGD saying "please stop ringing me mum, you're showing me up and I am switching my phone off right NOW"

Best wishes to all those children who started a new school this week.

gilly re the mobile phone and telling her mum off!

DGS has been given his first mobile as a rite of passage and like your DGD it has to be switched off at certain times. Whether we like it or not, mobiles are now an essential of everyday life.

DGS lives in rural Somerset and travels to school on the school bus so a mobile is very useful - it may not have been essential a generation ago, but that was then.

As when my own children were younger, I'd like to be a fly on the wall.

He chose spaghetti bolognaise for his first lunch - I said I hope you didn't get it down your new shirt!

gillybob, wonderful update, funny about the mobile phone!

My DGD2 started Year 7 on Tuesday. All fine and starting to make some friends. So much easier for everyone now both girls are at the same school. Glad it went well Gillybob and everyone else.

Children are funny about school and routine. When my nephew was at school he had a special friend Michael. He went to school every day with him and they spent time together. Come the holidays he never contacted Michael and Michael never contacted him. The day before the new term they would be in contact again. This cycle went on for years.
Also every school day he had French toast for breakfast but never touched that in holiday time - back to school and French toast again.
Lovely to know everyone seems to have settled well. One DGS in US started the middle school section this week - he is 11 - his brother is starting his final year of school and looking at University applications - time flies past far to quickly!

I remember when my DS1 started secondary school he was the smallest boy in the school, but by year 10 he was 6 foot, uniform buying was very expensive! Now my DGD1 has started secondary , she is tiny too but quite outgoing and confident. She has sent me a thumbs up text?

Glad your grand-daughter coped well, GillyBob
Secondary school is a big step up from Primary School.
Children need to be able to make the transition from one class teacher for most subjects, to separate specialist teachers.
Socially, some of their old friends may have gone to a different school.
Do they have preparation for this, eg visits before they finish PS?

Followed your 'fight' with interest gillybob and was so pleased with the outcome. Nice to see she's taken to it so well.
My DS was the only one from his primary to go to our local (Scottish) academy but had no problems and formed good friendships. Good luck to all DGCs as they start out!

Two full days of induction in July Trisha. Probably about eight different secondary schools (excluding independent) fed by DGD's Primary and she knows very few people (passed 11+ but chose not to go to grammar). She is extremely confident though. ?

I'd seen posts about your fight gillybob but hadn't realised you'd had a positive result. Glad to hear she's had a promising start. Wishing you well for the next campaign!
Nice to hear of others who've settled well too. One of ours started this week, according to her mum it's been a shaky first few days for her I think. She can be a bit of a sensitive soul so hopefully she'll soon find a few new friends who "get" her.

Well their first week is nearly over. Let's hope they all start or continue to enjoy it all. My DGD is a resilient child so fingers crossed

Oh where have you been grannyqueenie ? I was literally shouting "WE WON" from the rooftops!

Yes the first week is nearly over BB. Maybe Monday morning will be the real test when we see how eager they all are to get up and go.

My DGD had 2 full days at the new school just before they broke up for the summer TriciaF they we re shown around again and taken to meet various teachers etc. they had a few trial lessons (Spanish, Maths and PE) and got to eat in the canteen etc. My DGD's form tutor was new for September too so she didn't get to meet him until this Tuesday.

I think most children look forward to the move, as a sign that they're growing up, nearly teenagers.
But the sensitive ones and those with learning difficulties, will be more apprehensive.

Just got umpteen photo of DGD. She looks so confident and grown up. Makes your heart turn over

gillyb ha ha Maybe that was the week I was on holiday with fishy wifi access. I think you're right, this coming week reality sets in for all these newbies. Hoping it goes well for them all.

It's amazing how quick they grow up these days isn't it grannyqueenie almost scary but let's see what the next few weeks hold.

fishy?? WiFi access, where did come from? Well I was by the sea