greenwater

Welcome Katie... You just made it into the spring group hey!

Knowing how hard the postpartum period can be (suffered PND with my first as well as complete exhaustion from significant blood loss at birth), I'm willing to give it a go even for the smallest of uplifts. At worst I will be a couple of hundred pounds worse off. I'm very happy to go on the anecdotal evidence of mums who have been there (not just on this site but global pregnancy forums). Would be worth every penny to avoid the hideous lows of last time. Each to their own of course...

Hi ladies - I'm due end May when my son will be 2.5. Looking forward to it :) T x

I had it too and breakfast was the worst - my top tip - two small breakfasts :) a couple of hours apart... Muller light yogurts - have less than 15g of carbs and half a punnet of blueberries is less than 15g too.... Easy if like me you picked brekkie up on the way to work. Oh and don't forget the Nairns choc chip oat cakes! Taste like proper choc biscuits IMHO... and snack size cadbury treats come in at under 15g of carbs too...

I'm very pleased to see progress on this - more choice can only be a good thing in my eyes. Sonia - have you thought about sending a brief communication to local nurseries and asking them to distribute to their parents? Could be an effective and targeted way of reaching your audience... I've asked mine to pass on the message anyway :). Keep up the good work to help improve our community.

Great news...

Don't lose hope! The school is at the beginning of its "creation" and from what I understand from those "in charge", they are very much looking to shape the school with input from local parents. There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for this from Southwark council leaders and Dulwich Hamlet Educational Trust leaders. I understand there will be more news coming very shortly from those organisations. Lets wait and hear directly from the source.

Renata - will you be leading the free school application, and if not, do you know who will be? Thanks

I have just received an email from Peter John, leader of Southwark Council. It's fabulous news for Bellenden children (IMHO)! He has given me permission to publish it here... It reads... "I had a great meeting yesterday with Sonia Case, the Head of Dulwich Hamlet School, and her Chair of Governors. I have written to Sonia this morning stating clearly that they are our absolute preferred partners to bring Bellenden Old School back into use. We will have to go through the process of having the plans approved by the DfE - the new school will have to be a free school albeit run, we hope by Dulwich Hamlet Academy Trust - but with good partnership working and local parental support I hope that the DfE will approve these proposals. So please spread the word - we hope to bring the work of an Outstanding Southwark School to the Bellenden Old School site. Regards, Peter Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, Labour Councillor for South Camberwell".

I truly hope that the Council will put our children and our community before any potential political posturing. If you are a local parent and want to make sure we get the best-quality school in the Old Bellenden site, then I would encourage you to write to the local councillors and let them know your views. They will make this decision on our behalf, so I thinks it's right that a) they keep us abreast of plans and b) we let them know what we would like. Here are their details: - Peter John: South Camberwell Ward councillor and also leader of Southwark council (peter.john@southwark.gov.uk) - Rowenna Davis: The Lane Ward councillor (rowenna.davis@southwark.gov.uk) - Dora Dixon-Fyle: Cabinet Member for Children's Services (dora.dixon-fyle@southwark.gov.uk) I wrote to Peter and Rowenna on Tuesday and will post back with an update (when I get a reply!)

James - Have we really passed up the opportunity to partner with one of the strongest (and consistently so) schools in the area? I appreciate I am not armed with all the facts, but I am currently in disbelief!

Hi James - thanks for the update. Would you mind clarifying the point on budget? Do you mean that a new gov school at bellenden site would use most of 12.5m and therefore would be deemed a less attractive option than a free school? As local parents, how can we join the debate and over what timeline? Thanks

Also is there any update on Bellenden Old School? Thanks

Renata - pls do keep us updated on the progress of the re-opening of Bellenden Old School. I would be very interested to hear more.

We just stayed at the Prinsotel La Dorada in Mallorca. Very kid friendly; baby pool, playground, mini disco, indoor pool etc. Would recommend it. Has some tripadvisor price too.

We had lorenzo too. He was really good, reasonably priced and is a very nice man to boot!

Thanks njc97 - we are moving to the area so we're very interested in progress. I will keep an eye on their web site too.

Hi - does anyone know the latest re Haberdashers Free school? I see on their site, they are awaiting funding approval, but the free school has been approved. Feels like there could be a lot to do in 6 months?

I was worried about the change at Canada water. Not as great as we might have hoped then for those of us hoping for a much quicker commute to Canary Wharf?

Interested to know how people found it travelling east this morning? Any what gets?

I heard they have caught the guy who raped this poor girl. Does anyone have any confirmation?

My friend was mugged in WG a few years ago... And she was walking home with my other friend (male) so wasn't even alone. Ok - it was 4am, but... Local residents - pls be aware that the closed off, secluded nature of this park makes it easy pickings for those intent on harming others.

I bought my godson the Harry Potter hardback box set for children - it looks lovely on the shelves in his room. He obvioulsy wont be able to read them for a while! I bought my goddaughter the Tiffany heart necklace - a classic.

This thread is so helpful - thanks! I'm returning to work in a few weeks and am excited and apprehensive in equal measures. Re coping strategies - I'm planning to buy 3 outfits (only going back 3 days) and wear them on rotation. They will be of the non-iron wrap dress/smart jacket look. The commute is my other stress, so I have decided to drive in for the first 6 weeks and pay the parking - just to take the stress out of initially going back. I think cleaner is a must and I love the idea of doing online shop at lunchtime. We also have a nanny share which should make leaving the house easier. Any other tips gratefully received! I just hope I find my brain again!!

Looking forward to tomorrow x