CRGS Social life
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CRGS Social life
Hi All,
Like others we are looking at a few schools and thinking about choices for the CAF .
Interested in CRGS and would love some feedback on its after-school activities and what the social life is like for the boys? Do they hang out after school? Do they form friends and meet up on weekends /and meet up in Town? Any parents with kids there who have some advice on this area?
Other than academics, do they get any other opportunities to grow in other areas?
Many thanks
Like others we are looking at a few schools and thinking about choices for the CAF .
Interested in CRGS and would love some feedback on its after-school activities and what the social life is like for the boys? Do they hang out after school? Do they form friends and meet up on weekends /and meet up in Town? Any parents with kids there who have some advice on this area?
Other than academics, do they get any other opportunities to grow in other areas?
Many thanks
Re: CRGS Social life
I suspect the 'hanging out', meeting up at the weekend etc might depend on how many of your form are still around after the private coaches have driven away back to London at the end of the last period. Or is that more a feature of the girls' school?Tomcruise wrote:Hi All,
Like others we are looking at a few schools and thinking about choices for the CAF .
Interested in CRGS and would love some feedback on its after-school activities and what the social life is like for the boys? Do they hang out after school? Do they form friends and meet up on weekends /and meet up in Town? Any parents with kids there who have some advice on this area?
Other than academics, do they get any other opportunities to grow in other areas?
Many thanks
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx
Re: CRGS Social life
There are masses of extra curricular activities and the school is very strong on personal development.
As far as a socialising out of school it doesn't tend to be after school as most get buses home. Mine did meet up at weekends though.
The older ones are more likely to go into town after school.
Those in games teams sometimes hang out after Saturday morning matches.
There is a group who hang around with girls at Lexden Road bus stops for a while after school - not sure that's what you had in mind
As far as a socialising out of school it doesn't tend to be after school as most get buses home. Mine did meet up at weekends though.
The older ones are more likely to go into town after school.
Those in games teams sometimes hang out after Saturday morning matches.
There is a group who hang around with girls at Lexden Road bus stops for a while after school - not sure that's what you had in mind
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Proudmumregardless
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2015 9:09 am
Re: CRGS Social life
ToadMum wrote:I suspect the 'hanging out', meeting up at the weekend etc might depend on how many of your form are still around after the private coaches have driven away back to London at the end of the last period. Or is that more a feature of the girls' school?Tomcruise wrote:Hi All,
Like others we are looking at a few schools and thinking about choices for the CAF .
Interested in CRGS and would love some feedback on its after-school activities and what the social life is like for the boys? Do they hang out after school? Do they form friends and meet up on weekends /and meet up in Town? Any parents with kids there who have some advice on this area?
Other than academics, do they get any other opportunities to grow in other areas?
Many thanks
This made me laugh a lot!
If the boys school is like the girls then enough will be localish to form good friendship groups.
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seriousmum
- Posts: 390
- Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:19 pm
Re: CRGS Social life
As other parents have alluded to, they isn't much socialising on a week day. Most kids are usually in a hurry to catch their school buses, mine included; although we don't have a ridiculous journey as some do (less than 30 mins on a yellow bus). Homework takes priority on a week day.
I find that the most sociable part of the day is that ride to / from school. More importantly for me, CRGS boys, in my experience, tend to socialise with the kids from other schools, notably St Mary's and ColCHS(yes, the girls
). The majority of parties my DS has attended (and the parties are endless) has been for girls at the aforementioned schools. They all seem to have mutual CRGS friends and get on well with each other. Aside from the bus, social media keeps them very well connected.
In year 7 to 9 my DS and friends usually met up to go to the cinema or just have a meal out. As most live around Essex, they usually picked a central place like Chelmsford. During the summer holidays they went mini golfing. I nearly forgot the sleepovers as well!
On parents' evening my DS and pals stay back after school and go into town for a meal/ shopping.
My DS has always been quiet and I have watched him grow in confidence over time.
Not sure what your other choices are but we fell in love with this school from the first open day and have had no regrets so far.
I find that the most sociable part of the day is that ride to / from school. More importantly for me, CRGS boys, in my experience, tend to socialise with the kids from other schools, notably St Mary's and ColCHS(yes, the girls
). The majority of parties my DS has attended (and the parties are endless) has been for girls at the aforementioned schools. They all seem to have mutual CRGS friends and get on well with each other. Aside from the bus, social media keeps them very well connected. In year 7 to 9 my DS and friends usually met up to go to the cinema or just have a meal out. As most live around Essex, they usually picked a central place like Chelmsford. During the summer holidays they went mini golfing. I nearly forgot the sleepovers as well!
On parents' evening my DS and pals stay back after school and go into town for a meal/ shopping.
My DS has always been quiet and I have watched him grow in confidence over time.
Not sure what your other choices are but we fell in love with this school from the first open day and have had no regrets so far.
Re: CRGS Social life
There is a variety of after school activities and some socialising in town for the "local" boys. Yes, a significant number will rush to their contract buses after school, but the Colchester boys and those travelling by public bus/train find plenty to do. DS2 has just completed his first half term and there is now only one night of the week he comes straight home from school. (It also has the advantage of him not having to stand at the aforementioned Lexden Road bus stop with his sister and her CRGS BF!)
Some friendships certainly are formed "on the buses" especially in the beginning but as they grow older and more independent they travel some distance to meet up. If you live a long way from Colchester, and a contract coach is the only travel option, then be prepared to do a lot of driving them around.
Some friendships certainly are formed "on the buses" especially in the beginning but as they grow older and more independent they travel some distance to meet up. If you live a long way from Colchester, and a contract coach is the only travel option, then be prepared to do a lot of driving them around.
Re: CRGS Social life
If he would be using a contract bus it's worth looking at alternatives ( or if you would be able to collect) that would allow participation in after school activities.
There are some lunch time clubs but also many after school opportunities ( especially music and sport) that it's a shame to miss out on.
In the past there have been opportunities for science clubs, quiz teams, public speaking, faith groups, tech based clubs and more at lunch time.
Our experience is that as they progress through the school there are opportunities for personal development and an expectation that they become role models for the younger boys.
The relationships with staff are generally of mutual respect and particular as they get older and in the smaller GCSE and A level options those relationships become very strong.
If he enjoys singing then the choir is a good way to make friends across the school years as with other music groups.
There is still an expectation on staff to get involved in school life beyond their teaching commitments and most seem to enjoy this aspect of the school.
There are some lunch time clubs but also many after school opportunities ( especially music and sport) that it's a shame to miss out on.
In the past there have been opportunities for science clubs, quiz teams, public speaking, faith groups, tech based clubs and more at lunch time.
Our experience is that as they progress through the school there are opportunities for personal development and an expectation that they become role models for the younger boys.
The relationships with staff are generally of mutual respect and particular as they get older and in the smaller GCSE and A level options those relationships become very strong.
If he enjoys singing then the choir is a good way to make friends across the school years as with other music groups.
There is still an expectation on staff to get involved in school life beyond their teaching commitments and most seem to enjoy this aspect of the school.
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Two-at-once
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Re: CRGS Social life
My DS has just finished the first half term of year 7 at CRGS. One of his favourite parts of the day is his second breakfast in the canteen (I drop him off about 8.15) and a football kick around with any boys that have arrived early. He now knows lots of boys from different year groups. The socialising isn't always from organised clubs!
(I drop him off about 8.15) and a football kick around with any boys that have arrived early. He now knows lots of boys from different year groups. The socialising isn't always from organised clubs!Re: CRGS Social life
One of the strengths of the school has been that it's ok to be a bit unusual so most boys find someone to hang out with. Some prefer a crowd in the playground others a mate to play chess with etc.
Teenage boys don't tend to be excessive communicators
but most seem to rub along.
Teenage boys don't tend to be excessive communicators
but most seem to rub along.Re: CRGS Social life
My now year 13 knew no-one when he went to CRGS. At first friends were made on the bus because half an hour each way meant this was a great chance to socialise. The buses also take pupils to the girls's school and St Mary's and Colchester High so he did get to know other people and get invited to parties by them etc. Meeting in Colchester or Freeport seemed to be the common thing at weekends and during half term and enough of them live near enough to do this such that he always seemed to have a great social life.
Over the years he has made friends in different forms and different years. The school has lots and lots of after-school activities and one of the things we liked about it was its active sports and music life. At the time we were looking at schools KEGS (pre-catchment) struggled with its ensembles and sports teams because so many boys had to rush home and while most boys do travel to CRGS the distances are not as great and so they can stay at school for after school clubs and the choir is incredibly strong so this seems to guarantee that on Wednesdays they will be late. I shared late lifts through years 7 to 10 and there are quite a few boys who live within walking distance with tolerant parents with homes they could go to from time to time. Bear in mind that if they are on a First contract bus they may use their pass to get ordinary buses home after clubs etc.
In year 10 they can do DofE in joint teams with girls from CCGS another way of getting to expand their friendship group but by then they seem to have established mixed friendship groups already
Over the years he has made friends in different forms and different years. The school has lots and lots of after-school activities and one of the things we liked about it was its active sports and music life. At the time we were looking at schools KEGS (pre-catchment) struggled with its ensembles and sports teams because so many boys had to rush home and while most boys do travel to CRGS the distances are not as great and so they can stay at school for after school clubs and the choir is incredibly strong so this seems to guarantee that on Wednesdays they will be late. I shared late lifts through years 7 to 10 and there are quite a few boys who live within walking distance with tolerant parents with homes they could go to from time to time. Bear in mind that if they are on a First contract bus they may use their pass to get ordinary buses home after clubs etc.
In year 10 they can do DofE in joint teams with girls from CCGS another way of getting to expand their friendship group but by then they seem to have established mixed friendship groups already