telemum

Mine really love PGL - the younger one did horse riding in the summer (she's 12) and the 14 year old some course where she can go to theme parks. Both desperate to go again asap!

Does he do music or drama? Lots of clubs up to 16 in those areas - often not full day, but at 12 they can take themselves home? I agree it's tricky. My daughter (also 12) will do one week residential, one week orchestra, one week drama club.

This one at Sydenham high is very good (I can barely get my children to go on holiday, they love it so much) https://www.gemsperformingarts.com/holiday-clubs

I don't know Harris I'm afraid, but my daughter is in Year 7 at Sydenham. It's been a lovely transition, and I can't recommend it highly enough - I thought it would seem big and impersonal, but she's been really excited and has taken them up on many opportunities from chess, to orchestra to lots of stuff run by the library - and has joined a band. Made lovely friends too. The academics are good and she enjoys the Latin and is keen to go in the morning. But from what everyone says Harris East Dulwich is great as well. My daughter does have one friend who moved from Harris to Sydenham when a place became available in mid September, but I think that was much more to do with the fact her primary friends were all at Sydenham rather than anything at all that was wrong with Harris. Good luck - the waiting lists do move if you decide you want to go for Syd, but from what people say both are good choices.

Thinking of you all. We had a very similar experience to Carliebloom above this time last year, after expecting to get Sydenham and receiving none of the schools on our list (35 metres too far away!). The lists do move (though Syd was very, very slow after an initial flurry and there were children near us who didn't get in until after September). We eventually won on appeal- although that was totally unexpected. But we also loved Deptford Green when we went to see it after our daughter's allocation, and it was a tough decision to accept Sydenham when the appeal was won. The head is very inspiring, and I loved the range of subjects. I would have been happy for our daughter to go there. So do add yourself to waiting lists and consider some other options if you've had a shock. It can be a horribly tough time- but most people I know were happy by September.

I'm really pleased for you - and hopeful that it might come out a bit further as we are in the same position - do you happen to know how far away from the school you were in metres? Thanks Rosie

We've done Cambodia with kids (they were 6 and 8 at the time). Angkor Wat is fab obviously, and do see Phare, in Phnom Penh, which is a Cirque de Soleil type thing. The Killing Fields is sobering but worth seeing, and we also took a boat to Battambang, where not much goes on. Lovely, lovely place to spend time with children. I'll link to our travel blog here in case it's helpful. https://packingitallin.wordpress.com/category/phnom-penh/

We've just gone through Vietnam on our one year trip with our girls (little older at 6 and 8) - we loved it. You'll have a blast. . We travelled independently but I took lots of inspiration from the family tour companies mentioned above. This is our blog, which should give you an idea of the itinerary we did http://www.packingitallin.wordpress.com Good luck! Rosie

Hi, We're looking for a wandering magician to do tricks amongst the people at our school fair on December 5th. Magician booking is very far from my usual skillset so I thought I'd pick your considerable local brains. Anyone know anyone they can recommend? Thanks Rosie

Hi, We're looking for a wandering magician to do tricks amongst the people at our school fair on the 5th. Magician booking is very far from my usual skillset so I thought I'd pick your considerable local brains. Anyone know anyone they can recommend? Thanks Rosie

ood morning all - just a quick announcement to let you know that Dalmain School, in SE23, is having its fair this Saturday between 12-3pm, and you're all welcome. Come along for Samba and drumming lessons, carnival parades, musical instrument-making workshops, masks and other craft, human football tables,World Cup zone, Brazilian cocktails, yummy food and drink and much much more. We'd love to see you there - tickets are ?2.50 for adults and free for children - and there's lots of free stuff inside once you get in. For more info you can find us on www.facebook.com/friendsofdalmain. Thanks!

http://www.raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk This place is great - v restricted opening hours but the Victorian lessons are great and there is LOTS of dressing up.

I have two summerborn girls (one 4 and one 6) with nearly identical summer birthdays (end of July). They're both in school now. The first was not ready, and I deferred her for a term before putting her into Reception, and I am still glad I did. Even in Year 2 I can see that she would find it easier if she was older in her year - fine motor skills still hold her back for example. All of her friends are learning joined-up handwriting and she's still not ready, and she doesn't always grasp concepts fast enough, despite reading fluently and being (biased mummy) a bright little button. And the worst thing about it is she doesn't have much confidence in her ability as she compares herself with much older friends. Her sister, on the other hand, is totally and utterly fine in Reception, and would have been extremely bored if left in Nursery. She's the left hander, so I thought she would struggle with writing, but it isn't so. Her confidence is sky high. Interesting that school-readiness in the two of them is so different - I assumed that given they have similar opportunities, birthdays, upbringing and plenty of books etc at home they would both have similar school experiences. One size doesn't fit all. Sorry for waffling on. Horses for courses I guess, but I would definitely have deferred my oldest if I could have done.

Dalmain in Honor Oak/Forest Hill has its fair on Friday night - 4:30pm tp 7pm. German-style craft market, Narnia experience with Tea Dance for Little People, and Narnia treasure hunt, as well as Santa's Grotto, carol singing, raffle, mulled wine and food and traditional fair stalls.

we have one (two actually) and really like them- though they are a little heavy for my 4.5 year old (though she is very small) my 6 year old can carry hers fine and you can fit a surprising amount of stuff in them. should last them for ages, too. we already saved the cost of them by not having to hire car seats on holiday this year.