Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

gma wrote: Truthfully, if the trip is really desired then flog the ipod and encourage the undertaking of some jobs locally in the holidays, (dog walking, paper delivery, hedge trimming, general gardening etc etc), it's probably too late for this year but that provides the opportunity for family 'birthday and xmas' contributions!

I know of one lovely pupil who has washed cars etc etc etc and earned the £1500 needed to pay for their sports trip to Australia this year (not one of mine)!

I am sorry about that but I have written that post several times and then deleted it over the past few weeks.

I agree with Gerri.

englishangel wrote:I am sorry, I am having real problems with this thread.

My husband and I are by no means on a low income but our offspring had their laptops for their 18th birthdays, and did not have ipods (or anything similar), TVs in their rooms or skiing trips of any variety.

They had mobile phones for their 16th birthdays.

There's no way I can afford ski trips, luckily neither can my daughters' friends so she doesn't feel left out. She got her ipod for Christmas the year before last, her laptop she bought second-hand out of her birthday money, and she always chooses to get a new mobile for her birthday every year. My daughters have only been abroad once, for 6 days out of high season, a few years ago, and we can't afford to repeat it in the forseeable future

I'm really sorry I started this, it could turn into a Monty Python sketch.

http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/mont ... remen.html

Just going back to the main point of the thread for a moment, can I ask about Doctors and Denists?

I assume that they will register with a doctor at school and continue visiting the dentist during school holidys....is this correct?

Thanks!

They register with the school doctor AND dentist. My daughter was terrified of the dentist due to a needle phobia (had to have 2 teeth taken out to have a brace fitted), but she said the school dentist is lovely, very reassuring and much better than her old dentist at home. She said he took literally seconds to take out a tooth and he, and his assistant, were very kind when she explained that she was frightened. The dentist comes to the school, and if your child has to be referred to the orthodontist at all, the school organises a driver to take them to/from appointments. The orthodontist is also lovely (I've met her on a couple of occasions now).

Thanks for that info.....I shan't be booking a repeat appointment with our chap then!

Actually you might need to. I seem to remember that in the info pack you get soon, it has all sorts of forms, including body measurements, financial and forms to 'sign over' your child to the school doctor and the school dentist. The dentist form has to be completed by your current dentist who notes any ongoing work/problems. It's worth checking (as I did) whether, if you remain a patient with your current dentist, he/she will be happy to treat your child during school holidays in an emergency if necessary. Of course, you don't have to join the school dentist, but it is much easier if you do.

We went to the dentist today - that's what made me think of it. I'll wait for the info pack to see what they say then.

It's just when these things come up, you suddenly wonder about next year and realise what a massive change this all is.

If the school dentist is stil Mr Whiffen then yes he is a fantatic dentist. He saw me from 13-23 and started my orthodentic treatment, he was very lovely and kind and fully appreciated my apprehension about it all

I don't think it is Mr Whiffen anymore. I've got an attrocious memory so don't hold me to it, but I'm sure he retired last year. The orthodontist is now a lady near the town centre. She's very good and very approachable

Hi everyone -

Would like to echo the tuck info given so far - it disappears in my DS's house as well unless kept under lock & key - with the emphasis on the key. His Housemaster-issued combination padlock was frequently "cracked". I keep a spare key (or two) at home in case of loss. I have sent DS back with tins of Fruitini & such-like but not sure if he eats them... he likes to take cup-a-soups and popcorn (both the ready made & the microwaveable stuff) as well as noodles & hot chocolate. Things get taken from the fridge but apparently not from the freezer (??).

On the subject of things disappearing, my DS says small things go missing but "big" things don't. So his mobile phone & Ipod (both worked & paid for by him!) are safe but pens pencils and even glasses etc and other small things definitely are not. I have been extremely unhappy at the rate at which things disappear. He has to lock everything up otherwise it is "borrowed" usually never to return.

In his house, we are asked not to give them mobiles until at least after the first half term which I wholeheartedly agreed with, and in fact I don't think he had one until the second term. He's in Third Form & I don't think is allowed a laptop for at least another year - I thought that was a school-wide rule.

Oh, and I believe there is a choice as to whether you sign up with the school dentist - we stayed with our family dentist so he gets appointments/treatment here during the holidays. I wanted to be able to discuss anything that needed doing without having to travel many miles... They have to register with the school doctor but DS can be seen by our family doctor when home - we just fill in a temporary patient form.

Hi huggermugger, long time no speak!

Yes, I've had to make appointments for my daughter to see my doctor as a 'visitor' a few times, it's only a short form to complete each time. Luckily she hasn't needed to see my dentist, though she did have a dash to the local orthodontist when something (?) broke and was cutting her gum, he was perfectly happy to see her though (again, just a short form). I think most parents choose to join up with the school dentist don't they? I'm glad I did actually, because at least she has had a familiar face for the last two years, whereas everytime I go to my NHS dentist it's somebody completely different!

I thought you'd sorted out the stolen tuck problem! That's been going on since day 1 for your son, hasn't it?