Good luck - 11 transfer Northern Ireland

Rach39

By the way McCalls in Lisburn have 10% off all school wear at the moment!

Doggies

Well done Rachel on your son getting Rathmore, meant to be a brilliant school. I don't know why fees are so excessive.

Warlocks have 10% off as well, never been there. Not sure if there's any difference in prices. Only ever been to McCalls.

icelandic_queen

Thanks snowjo for your sympathy re GCSEs!!! I was considering setting up a thread earlier on in the year for the stressed parents!! I have 3 girls and am a single parent and I estimate that I will need 770 quid for the 3 uniforms!! 1 of my girls is already at the school but seems to have grown out of everything!! I live in a working-class area and I know that I'm not the only one who has to struggle. Even though I have been putting money away I've been looking at a 2nd job just to get the uniform money up, if not then I'll have to go to the Credit Union which will really annoy me as I use that money for emergencys!

snowJo

icelandic_queen wrote: »

Thanks snowjo for your sympathy re GCSEs!!! I was considering setting up a thread earlier on in the year for the stressed parents!! I have 3 girls and am a single parent and I estimate that I will need 770 quid for the 3 uniforms!! 1 of my girls is already at the school but seems to have grown out of everything!! I live in a working-class area and I know that I'm not the only one who has to struggle. Even though I have been putting money away I've been looking at a 2nd job just to get the uniform money up, if not then I'll have to go to the Credit Union which will really annoy me as I use that money for emergencys!

I really wish you had set up a thread for stressed mums Icelandic Queen, as I would've joined it. Between GCSE's and transfer test it's been a very long year in our house.

Hopefully, will be heading out later today to purchase the new school blazer. My plan is to buy an item or two every week and spread out the cost - that way it'll not seem as huge a lump sum. I know I'm only fooling myself, but it works for me. There will definately have to be cutbacks in our house to pay for having 2 children at high school and all the bits and bobs required along the way. I feel for you Icelandic Queen having 3 at high school and 3 girls into the bargain - girls are so high maintenance!!

Plus I ALWAYS have Christmas on my mind too. I usually start saving in June and start buying small things to put away. This year I've started in May and have already bought 2 items for my kids. I know it might sound a bit weird but I like to spread cost out over a clatter of months rather than have a huge bill in December. With 2 now at high school, cheap toys are a thing of the past, and they want the latest techno gadget!!!

So, it's off to buy the new blazer then, that'll be 2 items of the September list ticked off with a multitude to go. Then it'll be a trip to Tesco to buy a trolleyload of baked beans to survive on - LOL!!

Now all the focus has shifted to my 16 year old and her remaining GCSE exams and results in August. It's never ending isn't it!!

snowJo

Well, that's the blazer bought now as well as the school bag. Will probably buy the shirts next week.....and some pencils!!

Rach39

Thanks Doggies, we were very pleased, but I would add that although it may not seem like it now wherever everyone's little darlings end up going within a month of starting in 99% of cases they won't be able to imagine themselves anywhere else x Also as a welsh 'blow in' I would say that even the 'worst' of schools here is probably better than most in England and Wales if that's any consolation!

YNWA-J96

totally agree with Rach39, my eldest really didn't want to go to her school and loved it after a week, she is in 3rd yr and still wouldn't change....things usually work out for the best in the long run..I just hope my youngest has the same experience..xx

one2escape

Am I getting scared now. This will be us this time next year. Just waiting a tutor to get back to us. The prices of the uniform is scary

icelandic_queen

snow jo, I dread the results in August!. I've just calculated that I've spent just under 1k in getting my DD tutored for the Maths GCSE on Monday, hope she gets it as I've gone without to do it! Rach39 you are so right about the kids settling in and loving their new schools. I'm going to go and get the uniforms next week, providing the Credit Union are amenable!!! I've started on Christmas too snow jo but the stash is getting used up as now all the teachers need presents at the end of the year!!!

36square

icelandic_queen wrote: »

... but the stash is getting used up as now all the teachers need presents at the end of the year!!!

NEED presents? They probably don't even want them and they certainly don't deserve them since they're generously paid already. They won't be needing to go to the credit union but you are? Can't you see how daft this sounds to rational people?