clicka

Can anybody recommend a balloon twister for a childrens party - they all seem extremely expensive so would prefer to go with a recommendation so as not to disappoint.

What is the best pub/ venue in East Dulwich to watch football in? Is it the EDT?

fair enough. But at the end of the day I meant no harm, I thought I was doing some good, at no point did I say one primary was better than another and no derogatory comments were made. I'm sorry if anybody interpreted the wrong way.

Thanks Bisou, the last thing I wanted to do was to bad mouth any schools in any way, and I feel I've done the right thing by amending the post based on other forum items feedback. We're very lucky that there is an abundance of good primary schools in the area, it's just unfortunate that there is a big void in the area in which if you live you won't get any of your choices - that was certainly the case for me. We ended up at Harris, and I won't lie, we were gutted we didn't get a place at Goodrich especially since my child already attended the nursery there. But I can honestly say that having been at Harris this year I'm very pleased with the school and I think (hope) it will be as good as the other schools we initially tried to get places at.

Hi JAJ, you are correct, I have amended my post based on your comments. The reason I did this was because it clearly caused you some concern in so much that you had to add a comment. This was not my intention so based on your feedback I edited my post. Like I said before the post was merely to help other parents who have a place at Harris get an insight into the school from somebody whose child attends. It was in no way meant to put any other school down. Just wished you'd PM'd me to let me know your feelings and I would have also changed the post based on your comments. It's a pity that I'm made the villain when all I'm trying to do is help. This is getting a wee bit petty now, would you prefer I delete the post?

Hi JAJ & Petal17 I think you maybe missing the point of my post. I am not promoting Harris as being better than any other school and I'm not putting down any other school in the area. All I am doing is rest assuring anybody who has been offered a place at Harris East Dulwich next year who maybe concerned due to a lot of bad publicity both the brand and the school have had on this forum. As I understand it the allocations for next year have been done so I'm not even influencing anybody to put Harris down as a choice. So I do find it odd that people have to add comments about other schools on this thread. Although I must say - how cool is it to have chickens in the school, defo something I'll be bringing up as a suggestion for Harris. However, Thank you for your comments, especially as they are positive but they may have been better added to a thread that helps those parents who have been offered a space at St Francesca - I think they would certainly help any parents who had doubts over being offered a space there. Perhaps you could start a thread entitled My Experience at St Francesca Cabrini. Maybe other parents could do the same for their schools. Edited to correct spelling - thanks sunbob 😀

Hey Monkey - maybe missed my point a bit. :-) The majority of the schools in the area are great. I was gutted I did not get any of my six choices. Getting schools is a stressful time. All I wanted to do was put parents minds at rest that if they got Harris and it wasnt their choice there really is nothing to worry about, its as good as the other schools. I was not trying to say in any way it is better than any other school, it merely has as many advantages as it does disadvantages by being a new school over the other schools in the area. Decisions have been made, schools have been allocated, i just hoped it helped those parents whose kids will be attending Harris. And to be honest, even if it helps just one parent - I'm happy.

My Experience at Harris Academy East Dulwich I was reading the East Dulwich Forum last night and was surprised at all the negativity that is being thrown at Harris as a brand and actually at the East Dulwich Academy. So I thought I?d give an honest opinion from a father who has a child that attends the academy. We live in a bit of no man?s land when it comes to primary schools because we live very close to Peckham Rye Park ? basically a big void where there are no schools. Our 6 choices were Goodrich, Ivydale, Fairlawn, Horniman, John Stainer, & Heber. We didn?t get an offer at any of these and actually ended up getting a place at St Francis of Cabrini. We went to an open day at St Francis and we knew that it was not the place to send our child ? we?re not Catholic and we did not want our child to be bought up in a single faith school (our choice alone - not a reflection on the school), as great as St Francis is and no matter how diverse the population at the end of the day it is a Catholic school and it teaches Catholic beliefs and that was not for us. It will be for others and I haven't any doubt they will be happy there. Luckily we already knew about the East Dulwich Academy opening and we had also applied for the school. We were delighted that we got a place because it meant we would not have to send our child to the Catholic school (please note: I have nothing against Catholicism or St Francis of Cabrini, it was just not the place for us, I?m sure there are hundreds of happy kids and parents that attend that school). However, we were also disappointed that we didn?t get any of our preferred choices (and we were some way down the waiting list on them all as well). But it was what it was ? we had a place at Harris and we either had to embrace it or go all military and engineer a way of getting our child into a different school. We decided to embrace it, and I must say that we are very pleased that we did. The Gossip?.. The Headmaster left. Yes this is true, Mr Hoyte did leave, and he was very emotional when he did and he vowed to keep in touch and help with the development of the kids. I asked my child if they were happy or sad that Mr Hoyte was leaving, and the answer was ?I?m sad?. Mr Hoyte left a very good impression on the kids. I don?t know why he left so I?m not going to go there. I?m also not that bothered if I?m being perfectly honest. Mr Hoyte didn?t teach my child, sure he got involved but it is the teachers that do the teaching not the headmaster, and I am delighted with my child?s teacher. Indeed, one of the advantages of only being a one year intake is that all the kids know all the teachers and teaching assistants and vice versa, my child often talks (always very highly) of all the teachers and assistants. One of the teachers left. Yes this is also true. Mr Behn left un-expectantly just before the start of the current term. This is rather more worrying than the headmaster leaving because it is the teachers that keep the continuity with the children. However, for whatever reason, Mr Behn was on an agency contract and therefore was able to resign a lot easier than a teacher on a contract with the Academy. Mr Behn was from Canada and he has taken up opportunities back in Canada (I believe), I wish him luck and thank him for his time at the school. My child really liked Mr. Behn (?he was funny?) and he was very good at teaching Maths. Rather than criticise the school for this, I?m perhaps biased as my child attends the school, but instead am going to focus on how quickly a replacement teacher was found. I believe the teacher will also teach the children next year rather than the new reception in take so in reality the children have (by virtue of Mr. Behn leaving) already started their transition to next year. If another teacher resigns ? yes I will be very concerned, but let?s be honest with ourselves, people resign from their jobs every day ? this is not a rare occurrence. There are pushy parents. I?m not a school gate parent, I don?t drop my child off for 8:45am and don?t pick up at 3:30pm, so I can?t really comment on this. What I can say is that I believe there is a good community of parents who on the whole get on (there will always be some differences of opinions ? we all come from different walks of life ? but that?s good for the kids ? shows diversity right) and we have socialised outside of school time without the kids. There were picnics in the park before school even started ? I didn?t go to any of these so I don?t feel cliques started as a result as I still socialise with the other parents. Is it bad being a pushy parent? Don?t we all want what is best for our kids? My child has come on leaps and bounds since starting at Harris. Reading, writing, social skills, numeracy ? all been learnt and progressing extremely well, and yes I am pushing my child at home to ensure the learning continues outside of the school hours. There have been some differences of opinion between parents. This is true. There is a Google group and there are a couple of opinionated parents who are not intimidated in saying what they think (not a bad thing). Between all the kids at the school there are approximately 100 parents, only 3-4 of these have had a difference of opinion. I?m certain that this would be the same at every school. The difference is, from talking to parents from other schools, they don?t even have a Google group (or equivalent) where parents can communicate with each other in the first place. The Reservations? No older kids for role models. I note that a lot of parents are concerned that there are no older kids for them to look up to as role models ? fortunately for each new years intake this gets less of an issue. I had this issue and I will admit it is still an issue for me, but I do not think, at least at the moment that this has had an effect on my child. So yes, I understand the reservation but I have just accepted it, and it is my duty as a parent to get my child involved in extracurricular activities and clubs in order to experience activities with older peers, so this is actually forcing me to ensure I broaden my childs learning so I am actually quite pleased with this. Also, no matter what a head teacher tells you, the school is judged on year 6 and the headmaster will funnel the majority of their time and effort on those kids. For now, Harris East Dulwich does not have a year 6, so although no older role models for the kids, the plus side is that the headmistress has time to concentrate on and get to know ALL the kids in each year. Miss Conduit (the new Headmistress) knows all of the children by name and is involved with all of them, and although my child was sad when Mr Hoyte left, my child is as happy with Miss Conduit as before with Mr. Hoyte. I?m pleased with her presence around the school. Ask anybody who goes to Goodrich how often they see the Headmaster and how easy it is to get time with him. Not a criticism, just a fact that he has to concentrate more on Year 6. And he is doing a great job at a great school - after all Goodrich was my first choice and I was disappointed my little one didn't get space there last September. He has great teachers whoso the teaching and leave hi to run the school. Just saying that until Harris has been established for a few years the current head has more time to speak to parents and have more presence. Limited Space. Yes, this is something I am concerned about. This year?s classes will move into what is currently being used as a dinner hall and morning/ breakfast club, so the new intake will have the current classrooms. The rooms are ideal as classrooms, so that is not an issue. The issue is where will they eat and where will the clubs be held? I?m sure the school will sort this issue out ? they have to. So although concerned, I?m not worried. In fact the only thing I am worried about is the outside space with an additional 60 kids, not sure how they will resolve is, especially as the school encourages outside learning. The new school building. I?m not entirely up to speed on this so can?t really comment on how far the school is from planning permission and the build starting. However, what I do know is that unless there are any major issues with the build, the time to knock down and build a new school is actually a lot quicker than you think, especially if it is being done by a company that specialises in it. In my opinion, this has to built by September 2016, at the latest, for the third year of intake. It has to, there simply will not be enough room for three years of children in the current set up. It has to happen, and therefore I believe it will happen, if not sooner. The Harris brand, like it or not, cannot fail and therefore I?m certain they will be doing all they can to ensure this happens. The Advantages? 1. Currently a better than required ratio of teachers to children 2. The school has to succeed, so if it does start failing (and I don?t think it will) surely the Harris brand will throw money at it to ensure it doesn?t 3. The children have the latest equipment to help with their learning ? and its new ? its not yet been passed down from generation to generation 4. It?s a small school (currently) so it?s a lot easier for the parents to get on and ask questions to each other and socialise ? I?ve made some very good friends through the school (and hope to make more) 5. When it eventually moves it will be in a state of the art building. I wouldn?t be surprised if in the next few years, simply due to its location that it becomes the sort after school in the area, so I?m pleased my child is there already to help mould what the school becomes. 6. The headmistress doesn?t have a year 6 to focus on so has more time for the younger years ? this really is worth its weight in gold in my opinion. 7. If your child is a little shy or nervous, being in a smaller school will be less daunting and their nervousness will no doubt blossom into confidence each year as the school gets bigger. 8. Breakfast Club / Afterschool Club ? a lot of established schools have a long waiting list for these, with a smaller pupil base the likelihood of getting a place in either of these is a lot easier. So there we go. An honest opinion from an honest parent who has a child already attending Harris East Dulwich. My child is happy, my child is learning, my child has made lots of friends many of which I hope will be for life. The headmistress appears dedicated, she has the time to get to know all the children. The teachers are good. It?s a fun place to be whilst learning. Bear in mind, I think, nobody who attends the school currently put it down as first choice, but I?m sure if you asked? the vast majority are happy. There will be parents who are unhappy ? but is that not the case in every school all over the country? If you have a place for next year I don?t think you will be disappointed. And I for one look forward to meeting you and going for a few social beers, after all this is an opportunity for both the children and the parents to increase their social circles and it?s a lot easier when there are less of us. I?m happy to answer any questions new parents may have. Good luck.

Does anybody know how to attach a photo to a post from iPhone? I'm trying but it is saying the file is too big.

I've only gone and joined the 21st century and got an all singing all dancing smart phone, and would you believe it or not you can actually use it as a phone as well! I'm even using it now to post this message!! Problem is I'm a bit of a clutz and am prone to dropping things, especially phones - you know the deal - child in one hand, car keys in the other, phone rings, quick fumble around and hey presto phone ends up on the floor!! So I was wandering what people's experience was with phone insurance. Is it worth paying for a current account which gives you "free" phone insurance - what are people's experiences with the various banks when it comes to claiming? Any help / advise would be greatly appreciated in this bamboozling industry 😃

Hi Yak, I too am thinking of zinc cladding on a loft conversion. We had fake slate on a previous house last year which was good but not the greatest finish when the builders cut the tiles to size. Did you get anywhere or progress with a different cladding?

Hi Not sure this is the right place to post this, if it should go somewhere else please let me know and I'll move it..... however..... Does anybody know if there is a market for second hand double glazing? We're having our windows done and the condition of the existing ones is still pretty good and I was wandering if anybody knew if you can sell second hand double glazing? And of so.... where? Thanks Clicka

Hello We are an established team looking for a new player to join us on Monday nights, games are 7pm or 8pm. In standard terms I would see we are ok everyone knows the rules and likes a good laugh whist also getting fit. It's not too serious but if you have played before that would be useful. I drive from east dulwich so can always provide a lift etc It's ?50 for a season of 10 games It's fun!!!! If you are interested get in touch season starts 13th October. Thanks Catherine

Yes it does seem to have dwindled maybe an afternoon meeting may be best now as there seem to be more activities/groups etc in the morning and Monday is particularly busy! Also with it about to get dark at 330/4 soon maybe nice to have a meet to fill the dark afternoons (missing summer...) anyway just a thought but Monday afternoon at 3 in a pub which has a bigger space than cafe in park??? Cath and Harrison x

Morning , aiming for pramming today so maybe see you down there about 12? Cath and Harrison x

Hi Ginny, I am going to see that film today with my mate Trude so will see you there. Big meet what about the Plough it's massive and will accommodate the buggies no problem. Catherine

Hi all Tax return is approaching and I need an accountant to help me this year. Anyone got any good recommendations please? Thanks

We are organising my husbands 40th birthday drinks, have left it a bit late it's next month!! Ideally a private room in a pub/ bar where you can have your own music.Central or near a tube in south London as people coming for all over London. Approx 25 people ish - does anyone have any good recs of places they have been/ hired????? Thanks in advance

Yep I am planning to be there Catherine

I will be there as near to 11.30 as poss Catherine x

Hi Can anybody recommend a decent honest garage where I can get an MOT done please. My obvious choice was Kwik Fit, but having seen a recent television programme that showed that Kwik Fit tend to tell you something is wrong when it's not I'm not so sure about the honesty of the garage anymore (appreciate the East Dulwich garage may be honest but the brand has been tarnished through the television programme) Any recommendations welcomed. Thanks

Mat leave has begun phew although sounds like lots of babies have arrived too! I still have a few weeks left so if anyone fancies a coffee this week Wednesday or Thursday let us know. Catherine

Hi Can anybody recommend a curtain maker? Also, anybody have any idea how much it costs to make curtains? Thanks M

Hi Can anybody recommend a decent company with good results to perform an end I tenancy deep clean? Thanks

Thanks All. Daisy Let's it is. And I'm also going to try Fish Need Water - anyone have any views on them?