[maurie]

DD is off to High School this year and I'm finding it a bit like when she started Primary all those years ago.

We've got all the info, she's been to orientation and we're collecting stationery/ipad/uniform etc over the next month, but I'm a bit scared for her. It's a loooooooooooong time since I went to High School but I still remember how daunting it was and I want her to fit in.

I have all these stupid questions that she doesn't seem fazed by but I know they were enough to get you noticed and picked on back in my day. Things like - what length socks? bike shorts under her uniform dress? does everyone have the exercise books from the School book shop or are K-Mart/Coles ones ok?

So does anyone have any advice for me or should I just chill.

[michellew68]

I dont have answers to your practicle questions but a bit of advice if you dont mind.

I worked in a public high school for nearly 6 years and the one thing I saw consistently with the new ones was the amazing change within the first 6 months. They seemed to start so innocent and full of ideas about their future. Over time the hair would change, the piercings would come, and the wagging would start.

Just dont let her grow up too fast.

[MrsBouquet]

Don't do what I did when my DS first started and send her off on the first day with all the items on the booklist. Only needs pens and paper on that day and when they get their timetable, they will know what to bring each day.

Doesn't matter what brand exercise books they have.

Unless it is a dress code as part of their school uniform, then I would say ankle socks would be best.

Relax and she will be fine. Mine just finished Year 12 this year. It will fly by.

[somila]

WRT uniform, you could have a look on the website and see what the kids are wearing in the general photos (as opposed to the official uniform shop photo - but you could check that out too).

My DS#1 is starting High School this year and I am also finding it strange and new

[mumto3princesses]

I would do ankle socks and she can either fold or scrunch them depending on the uniform rules. Unless they actually want higher ones. I definately wouldn't buy the higher ones if they aren't a uniform requirement.

One thing I can think of is the length of her skirt. Don't make her wear it really long (or really short). First impressions do count and you can always hem it for when she grows taller. There are always a few that wear their skirts the length they come in and they are usually way below the knee. Then there are the others that try to get away with rolling their skirts up way too short.

Oh, and if they have a hat as part of their uniform don't send her off with it on her head. DD#1's school tried to say the hat was part of the uniform and there are times they need to wear it but not all the time. And no one except the odd few wear it day to day.

Whatever books they end up needing usually need to be covered so it doesn't matter what brand they are and you can't tell.

It's true what pp said. A lot of them do change and not in a good way. Not my DD#1 or her friends thank goodness but there has been quite a few who surprise me. Skirts get rolled up, sleeves rolled up, heaps of makeup, false nails and colouring their hair.

And yep as pp said. Just take a notebook and some pens the first day. Oh and maybe a few $$ for anything they might need. DD#1's school has Lockers which cost them $2 and they need their own padlock so that is good to have ready if they have them. Oh, and combination lock, not a key one. We learnt that the hard way! DD#1 also had to buy a few things like a maths plastic folder thingy so some cash if she needed it saved her having to wait. That was only a couple of dollars too.

This post has been edited by mumto3princesses: 03/01/2013, 03:16 PM

[skae]

The one thing I vividly remember from my first day of high school - you don't need to take all your textbooks on your first day! I actually had bruises on my shoulders from carrying around all my textbooks all day!

Hope your DD enjoys her first day

[i-candi]

DS started high school last year.

With lunch, wrap everything so that they can grab and go and don't have to carry lunch box around all lunch time.

Relax.

We didn't have to worry about books/exercise books as the school provided everything and we just had to cover in clear contact. The kids were given books/exercise books when they booked in for uniform fittings.

It is scary but I loved loved loved the whole high school experience even though DS did have problems and I was in contact often with the year co-ordinator . High school is great, they learn so much more.

We're starting all over again this year with DS going to a new school, he is going to a school that his best friend goes to so hopefully it will be smooth sailing for him. I'm starting a new job at a primary school so I can't take the day/morning off to take DS to school so DH requested the days off surrounding the start to school. We just got his roster and his work is sending him to Bali

Lucky DS's friend dad will take him to school ! DS suffers from anxiety so this is probably better than DH taking him to school.

[mitty82]

im going to stalk this thread, im in the exact same boat. How is she feeling about it? My daughter balled her eyes out on the last day of year 7 and is feeling very very nervous about it all.

[lifehacker]

Don't buy too many socks etc until they start, if the majority are wearing short socks your child wont want to be the only one with long socks. They can get really picky about what types of shoes/socks etc are the 'right' ones.
They wont want a "Hello Kitty" lunchbox either. Plain brown bags or plain lunch box, by Yr 9 most will buy their lunch anyway. They tend to leave the lunchbox in their locker/bag and just grab the food.
They will need to get used to lockers and combination locks most likely. Mine like to race to the lockers on the first day to get the best choice of locker location - apparently it's not good to get one at the bottom row as you get hit on the head by everyone, top row is preferred.
They need to get used to taking and changing into sports gear (in primary mine just wore the one uniform no matter what). High school they have change rooms and a seperate PE uniform.
Haven't covered a book since they started High.
Their backpack brand/type will become important.
DONT walk them into class/school.
They will get lost at first walking around trying to find all the different rooms.
As pp said long skirts or too short skirts are not the way to go.

They do change but there isn't much you can do about it. It's a bit like when they start kindy/reception - I saw my sweet boy change once he was influenced and it happens again. Was even worse for mine I think because they went from a tiny primary school to a huge highschool. Be interested in their friends new or old, be ready to talk when they want to and make sure there are opportunities for social connection with friends outside of school.

goodluck, it really is pretty easy as a highschool parent, not as hands on as primary and goes by fast.

[gina70]

My dd 2 is also starting high school this year, she is feeling excited and a little nervous. Her sister will be in year 10, so that will make it much easier for her. They are catching the bus together on the first day. She got fitted for her uniforms in November, I bought her shoes today. I got her fitted for bras for the first time today. I have bought her a razor in case she decides to shave her legs before school goes back. She has had her hair trimmed. I pick up her books in a couple ofweeks.

I felt very sad when dd2 finished year 7,espcially as I worked at the same school and loved having her around. I will miss her dearly!

This post has been edited by gina70: 03/01/2013, 05:42 PM