It’s hard to believe it’s already been a whole month since my twins started secondary school! I thought I’d share a little update on how things are going so far.
Settling In
I’m so grateful to God that things are going smoothly. The girls have settled in really well and have already made some lovely friends. Of course, it hasn’t been without its challenges, but whenever I’ve needed to raise something, the school has been quick and supportive in getting things sorted.
Separate Paths
I decided to keep the girls in separate form groups, which means different timetables, teachers, and classmates. It’s worked well so far, though it does double up on certain commitments – parents’ evening, for example, turned into a two-hour marathon! I sat through the main presentation, visited one classroom, then had to wait for the second form’s turn before repeating the whole process again. Still, it was worth it to see both classrooms and meet their teachers properly.
Day-to-Day Life
The girls earn behaviour points throughout the day, which has been encouraging, and they’ve collected a fair few already. On the practical side, keeping on top of everything – PE kits, class books, locker keys, library returns, food tech ingredients, and uniforms – feels like a full-time job in itself!
They always look so polished and put-together each morning, which I can’t always say for myself. Most mornings I resemble the “dragged through a hedge backwards” look! Thankfully, working from home means I can regroup once they’re dropped off, get washed, dressed, and grab some breakfast before starting work. A blessing I don’t take for granted.
Lunches & Homework
I’m still making packed lunches every day, as they’re not too keen on the canteen food – the queues are long and they only have 30 minutes to eat and grab what they need from their lockers.
Homework has been another adjustment. The first couple of weeks were intense, with what felt like mountains of tasks every day. Thankfully, things have now evened out. We have access to online portals for Maths and Science, which help, and I try to encourage them to get work done as soon as possible so weekends can stay homework-free. Those precious two days go far too quickly as it is.
Final Thoughts
One month in, I’d say we’ve found our groove. There are still little bumps along the way, but overall the transition has been positive. Watching the girls take these first steps in their new chapter has been exciting and a little exhausting – but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
