tallgirl

My child didn't like the Creche at the Peckham Pulse, I don't know why, he was 2.5 at the time and in part time Nursery. I only he left him there once, the second time he refused to stay and now, every time we go to the Pulse he comments that he doesn't like the Nursery there, and its one year on from the original visit!

I've spoken to couple of parents in the last couple of days who were not aware that they needed to apply for school now, particularly with children who will start next Jan. I've seen very little publicity about it at all. There will be chaos again when the school allocations are published, this time its been deferred until May, ie after the council elections (lewisham's come out in April, like Southwark's usually do) I wonder why?............

Like dairymilkfiend, when I returned to work following maternity leave, my accrued annual leave was tagged on to the end of my maternity leave- this amounted to 6 weeks of extra leave. How it worked out though, I think I offically had returned to work, but was on annual leave (ie no maternity benefits during this bit).

Children from Nunhead tend to go to St Francesca Cabrini rather than St Anthony's as Cabrini has links to St Thomas the Apostle Church in Nunhead. When I was looking for schools for my eldest, now in year 6, we also looked at St Anthony's but didn't like the atmosphere of the school (also having a summer birthday, we felt going into reception in january would be better for him than September). I also have a child in year 3 and in the Nursery. The children in year 6 and 3 are doing very well academically and have a great group of friends (with a great bunch of parents to boot!). Several year 6's have sat Grammar School exams this year. The school was assessed as good with outstanding features at its recent Ofsted inspection. Children are set within class, but are moved around frequently to make sure that they are stretched or get extra help dependent on their abilities and their development. The extracurricular activities at the school include swimming, recorder and violin/cello lessons, art club, football club etc. There is also an after school club for working parents. The school is very diverse, both in terms of parental origin and education attainment of parents (Judges, Doctors, Bus Drivers, teaching assistants-all parents at the school!) Remember whatever you do, the deadline for applications is 29th January!!

If you are not far from Nunhead, Network on Evelina rd, are good, they have a special child's chair, low rates for the under 8s (5 pounds I think) and the child's first cut is free.One of the hairdressers has young children and another is pregnant, so its a pretty child friendly place.

We went to guardalavaca (11 days) and havanna (3 Days) for a fortnight in total. It was good as we didn't need antimalarials, but I don't remember about jabs. We had perfect weather in January, warm and not hot and sunny, except for the daily 5 minute shower, my then 1.5 and 4 year olds loved it.

Greek Orthodox children have been in both my children's classes at entry in reception (yr3 and 6 and there are others in other years) and I have known other Christian children in the school. You tend to find this out when the children hit year six and parents are discussing secondary schools and options. The children are predominately but not exclusively catholic. I'll PM you.

Re: Primary school places 2010 look at this thread sabibi

Hi, toast I simply don't know. I do know if one parent and the child belong to a Christian faith (eg C of E, methodist, Greek orthodox etc) ie that there is someone to fill in the supplementary form, that it's worth applying for this school. Best to contact the school on 86998862.

The Head was at the public scrutiny meeting in ED a few weeks ago, I was very impressed with her. I think one of the problems has faced is that it's a bit more awkward to get to than other primary schools in the area.

I forgot to mention that there will be food and drink available, ncluding mulled wine and Irish coffees for adults!

We went to Cuba in January with a 23 month and 4 year old. The weather was perfect (25 oC)and we went to an all inclusive 3 star resort with a choice of bars and restaurants. It meant that there was buffet hot food whenever the children were hungry. The flight which we dreaded was no problem at all, and we hired a car for a couple of days. We had 11 days on the beach and 3 in Havanna.

I have two children at the school who are both happy and doing well. It is a very diverse school in terms of ethnic mix and occupation of parents (from Judge to Bus Driver and Shop Assistant to Paediatrician for example). Last years Y6 went to a good mix of secondary schools. All juniors learn Italian and they start with Spanish in the infants. The majority of the children come from Nunhead, ED, Forest Hill Honor Oak and Peckham, so are more spread out than from a community school,but my children live a short walk from several of their classmates. The school is on Forest Hill Rd, at the top of the Hill. The P12 stops outside and the P4, 63 and 363 are close by. There are 5 playgrounds behind the school, but unfortunately in winter the fairs are indoors!

Anyone who is interested in seeing this school prior to completing their primary forms in January, there is a Xmas Fair on Friday 4th December from 4-7pm. This is the catholic school on the top of the Hill on Forest Hill Rd. It takes predominantly Catholic kids, but also C of E, Orthodox etc. It recently had a good Osted report.

seriously, if one half is 99p Store, what is the other half going to be? This is a shame as a large store would have been better for Rye lane (as long as it wasn't a supermarket)

There is work going on at the old Woolworth's site in Peckham. After the campaigns for H&M, desires for an M&S etc, is it true? Will it be a Poundland to complement Peckham's three other pound shops?

St Michael's Bermondsey (mixed) St Francesca Cabrini Primary, Forest Hill Rd, is a feeder school to this. Sacred Heart,Camberwell (mixed) St Thomas the Apostle, Hollydale Rd, Nunhead (boys) Notre Dame (E and Castle)girls girls from the area also go to St Ursula's Greenwich, Coloma Convent in Shirley and St Philomena's, Carshalton. boys also go to John Fisher, Purley and London Oratory. mixed: Bonus Pastor, Downham, near Catford both St Francesca Cabrini and William of York Primaries are feeder schools to John Fisher.

The nursery site in Nunhead that will be used by Puddleducks will be empty after that, its in a prime lcation on Nunhead Green

I did this for several years during rush hour on commuter trains with my two eldest children. I think a back pack baby carrier is a must, as is a supply of snacks and drink. I found it far better doing the commuting with babies run than I did rushing back for afterschool club pick up and panicking when trains were delayed or cancelled. I think my children actually enjoyed the commute far more than most commuters!

Ladywell gym club next to Bellingham station does a range of classes for preschoolers. Yes , the Crystal Palace mingym has closed down for the moment, the older children's classes are now in the dry diving training hall, and the number of spaces has been greatly reduced.

Ivydale has hugely improved (a few years ago it was in the bottom 100 in the country). If you live in that part of Nunhead, you are not very likely to get into St Anthony's School but you have a good chance with St Francesca Cabrini School (good with outstanding features on its recent Ofsted report)on Forest Hill Rd as St Thomas the Apostle on Evelina Rd is the main feeder parish. Many children go to SFC from Nunhead, from the area near St Silus church, people either walk (about 15 minutes) or take the P12 that stops outside the school.

St Antony's have an exta class this year, but it's in the juniors, so years 5 and 6 will be 2 form.

If you are Catholic, there is St Antony's and St Francesca Cabrini Schools or St John and St Clements for C of E. Haberdashers haeve merged with Monson, but the rest of the places after this and music scholarships are being based on distance, so if you end up in Nunhead or Telegraph Hill, your chances are much better. The primary schools in these areas are Ivydale, Hollydale and Edmund Waller. These primaries are now good (a change from when you left, for Ivydale a huge change).

St Mary's Rd pre-school on St Mary's Rd, Nunhead (Evelina Rd end) is excellent. The staff have been there for many years and they take children from 2.5-5 (yes even with pull-ups too if they are not yet potty trained)and can deal with special needs. Their sessions are 3 hours from sept, 9.15-12.15. Term starts on 8th Sept.

Donna at Network on Evelina Rd, Nunhead is good at cutting children's hai, reluctant ones or not!