HannahSE23

Hello! I'm looking to interview people who were either lining the streets at the Queen's coronation in 1953 or at a street party to celebrate the event and who preferably have photos of themselves at the occasion. It's for a lovely pull-out magazine to coincide with the King's coronation in May. If you or anybody you know would be happy to take part please do message me. The street party doesn't have to have been in ED - any location is fine! Thanks, Hannah

Thank you so much Iloveeastdulwich and goldilocks... I have now found a teacher!

Hi I'm after someone who could teach my 13-year-old how to rollerskate. Could even be a student who skates and wants to earn a bit of extra cash. Please get in touch if you know of anybody! Thanks

Hi my son also got gifted and talented for sport and is now in Year 11 and doing GCSE PE. As far as I can see he's had the same opportunities at Kingsdale as those with full and half scholarships. He does loads of sport there and there are plenty of after school and lunchtime sports clubs. Hope that helps.

Hi does anyone have a child at Charter East Dulwich Sixth Form who'd be willing to share their opinions/experiences so far? As it's a new Sixth Form I'm really keen to know what the teaching is like, specifically in terms of the sciences and maths, and generally any positives/negatives of Sixth Form life there. Please PM if you prefer. Thanks!

I also appealed in May but I've heard nothing yet. Having done some research the signage doesn't comply with the 2016 Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. There's just not enough warning, nor adequate time to process the restriction while safely trying to get round the roundabout. Will keep you posted...

Hello, I've just been caught out by the Dulwich Village camera of doom. I even stopped and dangerously tried to do a three point turn when I saw the sign but so many other cars were passing me, I foolishly thought 'oh it must be fine' and carried on. I've seen boomshake22's fanatastic letter and I'm hoping to appeal successfully. Has anyone else had a positive outcome since? Thanks!

We recently had an Ikea kitchen fitted... but added our own copper handles and quartz worktops to make it look more high end. We love it! Easy to fit too!

Hi Monkey, Applying for secondary is a stressful time. I just wanted to mention a few points... 1. You say Deptford Green is too far to travel. But depending on where you are in ED it's actually nearer or equidistant to Kingsdale. It's also surprising how quickly kids adapt to their journey. They grow up fast! I know Year 7s who 'commuted' to Sutton for the grammars and the journey became second nature. 2. Re Kingsdale admissions. They've already increased their intake. I'm not sure they could increase any further or prioritise Southwark kids - that would be putting Lambeth or Lewisham kids at a disadvantage. The lottery system at least stops people renting close to the school to get in or ridiculously overpriced housing. 3. Southwark Council's hands are tied. Why they decided to allow all their secondaries to become academies is up for discussion. But it's done. Academies can set their own admission policies for better or worse. 4. Finally I don't know of any children who have hated their school wherever they have ended up. Parents I know were distraught when they were offered Forest Hill Boys, Lewisham Vale, Deptford Green etc (each to their own) and have been surprised by how well their kids have adapted and how happy they are. Obviously there are the usual things that can happen in any school. Likewise don't hold up Kingsdale or Charter as 'perfect' options. They're not. Each school has its own issues. In the end as long as our kids are being taught well, feel safe at school, are relatively engaged and have a few mates they can hang out with that's all any of us can hope for. Good luck

The Forest of Dean is stunning. Reminds me of Canada. It?s a four hour drive away though!

If an easier commute is important to you then i?d Say HOP. If Southern isn?t running then there?s the overground to connect you to the tube network. There?s definitely not as much going on in HOP though! Good luck

Definitely not Gremlins... I made that mistake and it's terrifying for kids that age AND it's a 15!

We use Fairy but about to try soap nuts recommended by a friend! Will report back https://www.soapnuts.co.uk/collections/soapnuts/products/large-soapnut-starter-pack

Hello did any of you end up going to Otres or Sihanoukville? We are thinking of going there or to Kep as part of a trip to Cambodia. Any tips gratefully received! Thanks!

Wow telemum what a wonderful trip! I'm very jealous of all the places you've been to. Thanks for the info on Cambodia, too. Very useful.

Hello again, Thanks for all your posts and PMs. We have now decided on Cambodia in October. Has anyone been? Could you recommend a good itinerary for children? We'd like to go to Phnom Penh, Angkor (Siem Reap) and end up at a lovely beach. If there are any other ideas and suggestions I'd be really grateful. Also any tips on visas, flights, travel vaccinations would be great. Thanks so much!

Hi tulip, If it helps Kingsdale will be able to give you a clearer indication of your waiting list place once the deadline for accepting/rejecting places has passed. I expect you'll jump up a few places. Last year I heard that there were almost 2000 on the waiting list for Kingsdale so 151 doesn't seem too bad!

Will be watching this thread with interest. I have recently said no to Fortnite which is a first person shooter game and apparently ?everyone plays it? so clearly I feel like a bad mum. We have Grand Turismo but you have to be into cars and Terraria which is a bit like Minecraft. I hope you receive some brilliant suggestions bodsier!

Thanks again everyone! Sri Lanka, Canada and Cambodia now coming out on top. Also considering Europe to make the budget stretch further... thanks Sqiggles... thought ?4k was loads but now realise it doesn?t go far!!

Thank you all for the PMs and replies! Really helpful and much food for thought. Thanks for the flight difference and vaccination tips Pilsbury. I hadn't given that much consideration. More research required!

Hi I was wondering if you could help. I've only ever been able to afford camping holidays before but I've got a tiny bit of inheritance money and I wanted to take the kids (12 and 10) somewhere special this summer for a bit of an adventure. Friends have suggested Costa Rica, Canada, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Japan but I wasn't sure about the weather in the summer hols. We'd like somewhere warm, fun, exciting, out of Europe and I have a budget of ?4k. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

I think a lot of working mums feel like that most of the time! I certainly do. I agree you should go back to your GP to see if there's anything underlying... thyroid maybe? I tend to get up half an hour earlier now at 6am (though it goes against the grain when you're feeling knackered) and take that time to get myself organised and have some peace and quiet before the day begins. A few of my friends swear by a meditation app called headspace. Just four minutes of mediation every day can really help apparently. In the meantime watch that new BBC2 comedy Motherland, it's hilarious and if nothing else will cheer you up a bit!

Gas every time. I really don't like induction hobs... my mother in law has one and I find them fiddly to use and not as responsive as gas. All that button pressing to get the right temperature... grrrr.

Hi bettyorange, yes the same preference system applies. You would be offered Deptford Green if you put it third or fourth if you didn't meet the criteria for your top preference schools but did meet the admissions criteria for Deptford Green. Hope that makes sense. Good luck.