JDR

Interestingly I was talking to a structural engineer ( we had floating chimneys) as an immediate but unconnected neighbour has subsidence. His opinion was underpinned houses are a better bet than those not done but stigma/ fear make people worry. Good luck

Hi We have three children at St Johns. Really lovely community spirit from children and parents, achieves for children at lots of different ability levels. Leadership team not complacent about recent good Ofsted rating and currently working with PTFA towards achieving outstanding. Not perfect, head try's to be available to discuss concerns, meet parents by standing at school gates most nights. We were at another school initially, very pleased we came here.

I went past today just after 11 and an excellent turn out of people. Brought a tear to my eye

Ha, same here. Kids in their PJ's running from one side of the house to the other depending where the fireworks are. It's great being high up

Be careful what you wish for! My year 2 daughter (age 6) had spellings this week. The last word was quadrilateral!

Ours wasn't but the newish head (3 years ish) has been slowly but surely making improvements ( st Johns and St Clements) We get a weekly newsletter, now sent by email. The website gives term dates upto 18months ahead and the newsletters at the beginning of the year give out dates for assembly's, Christmas nativities, curriculum meetings etc. Even a year ago it wasn't this good so if they aren't great encourage them. It makes a big difference as I'll be able to book leave in advance and attend more things

Weirdly carpediem so are we. Have filled the kettle and pans though just in case...

If your child is in year 4 it's worth talking to parents in the years above her as they will be going through this process. We received a Primary times magazine at the beginning of the year and lots of the state schools open days were listed by borough so Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham. There are many websites that will show you the nearest state schools including distances from you. You will need to look at each schools admission policy as there is quite a lot of variance. Charter and Sydenham girls do distance, Kingsdale so a banding system with a kind of lottery! My daughter is year 5 and I've seen Sydenham and Kingsdale so far and there are more open days at Harris Girls this week. The open days are all around this time of year as they are mainly provided for year 6 parents who will be applying by the end of this month for 2015 admissions. If you want to look then I'd suggest you find out when the open days are when your daughter goes into year 5. Most of the schools locally seem to be quite decent and get above average results. Our current head and the 2 heads of schools I've visited have been at great pains to say you need to look around the school and check its a good fit for your child. Also be realistic that yes there's a choice but it's quite limited as they are all oversubscribed

Husband just had a message from Thames water saying that our supply is about to go off. Not sure which roads will be affected but we're Underhill. Not sure if related to the shortages the other night?

Waterloo plumbing in Hither Green on the south circular

I spoke to the call centre staff who said the Overhill Road leak will take 3-4 hours to fix. They are way over their statutory times for water provision so have allegedly blocked off the burst main ( though it sounds like there are several) and are flushing water in from a reservoir. It can take an hour for that to reach homes. They asked us to call back if no water by 8.15. Feeling very grumpy now ( and hungry, children in bed, hubbie not home, not enough water to make pasta)

The first report got to them at 12.15 so if no water by 6.15 they have a statutory responsibility to provide bottled water ( man a at Thames water informed me earlier)

There is someone fixing something on Woodvale but there is now a huge leak coming down Overhill Road... Not sure which one causing the lack if water here on Underhill...

Hi I am a physio dealing with patients exactly like your father. Normally the hospital will only discharge someone to their own home once they are safe. In most cases walking with aids (crutches or Zimmer frame most common) and make sure that they know how to do stairs safely prior to discharge. Practically patients need to prepare for surgery. Make sure bills are paid, heavy shopping bought in advance, fill the freezer up with meals that can be reheated etc. Also, have ice packs ready, though frozen peas are fine too. The first couple of weeks at home aren't easy but if your mum is there and can do basic jobs such as cooking then he'll probably be fine. Good luck

Great to hear they will be on here! Thanks for the communication

Always take snacks! They are always hungry when they come out. Play dates with new friends but first few weeks they'll be exhausted from the days so probably just home and let them recover. Good luck to you both

Just to be clear, when my daughter was threatened I contacted the school mainly because on the first occasion it happened one the teachers was coincidently in the playground and that she knew the names of the children involved. As their identities were known it made sense to go to them rather than phoning the police who would have difficulty identifying the correct people ( I did email the safer neighbourhood team to inform them of the goings on at the time) and the school and I agreed that their onsite police officer would talk to the boy and explain that he was legally harassing/ threatening others. The safer neighbourhood team may have taken actions but they have never contacted me or informed me of any action so I just don't know. I guess the best thing to do is contact the safer neighbourhood team and perhaps local councillors if any anti social behaviour is experienced? Though, it would help if the safer neighbourhood teams improved their communication. If they are working on things they currently aren't getting any credit as people aren't aware they have taken any action. Equally, they may have done nothing....

We have had problems with members of this group which were ethnically mixed ( white, Middle Eastern/Southern European/black in appearance, probably all British). I had words too after they threatened to punch my daughters face, at the time 6 yo girl on two different occasions. I tried to have words the first time but one of their teachers were present and the second time they refused to engage. Well, until I said that was their choice and I would deal with their school... (Wearing identifiable uniform) the abuse became daily, one would point, yell names at me as I walked past. I warned him I'd speak to school. He did, I did. It was stressful and my daughter still gets anxious if she sees him. School dealt with him swiftly and effectively and I warned if he continued harassing me I'd report him to police. The onside school officer reiterated they'd same. To be fair no problems since.

Safer neighbourhood team?

This petition has been started by a teacher at our school to put pressure on Boris Johnson to allow free access for children to public toilets on school trips http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/boris-johnson-to-make-public-toilets-free-for-children-on-school-trips

Thanks for the suggestions :-)

Ok, several times this week people have told me they have bought the precious rainbow loom bands on amazon. I 've said we don't buy from them due to their tax avoidance. Does anyone know of shops ( any variety of shop) that is definitely paying their dues or not? Is there anywhere I can find this out? Would like to be consistent, and when people ask for alternatives be able to give good suggestions. I don't just mean for toys, Starbucks is still on my do not use list... Edited due to terrible typing

Weren't the floods due to a burst water main? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23598335

I came down it this afternoon but not sure about going up it.... Sorry, rubbish answer

I'd say south bank, Greenwich and a trip down the Thames.. We also did a bus tour with boat trip included so you get the most famous attractions and great photo ops but no time to get bored :-) enjoy your last hoorah here