(21 Aug 2014, 7:41 pm)Michael wrote This was a while back, 5-6 year ago,maybe not sure!

Lucky to have maids... dont we wish we can all have them!, bet most of them dont even have lifes...because there mam and dad want them to do every club going.

The lad who used that one about the maid certainly doesn't have one these days. I wasn't his mate in Year 7 because I thought he sounded like a right twat. He's definitely piped down over the years and is alright now. His house is massive though (four or five levels?), and there's at least 8 spare bedrooms, all beautifully furnished.

Me coming from a state school in Plains Farm didn't do me any favours in fitting in when I first joined. Most people had entered the senior school from the junior school, so all knew each other, but I didn't fit in very well at all. I seemed to talk to the older year groups the most, as they had already started to realise that it's not all about whose dad has the most expensive car, etc etc...

I'm definitely seen as the most common out of the lot of 'em, but I'd argue it's made me seem the most down to earth and has gained me more friends in the long run (despite the many arguments I've had). All of the teachers really respect me, and I do seem to be the 'teachers pet' despite causing the most mischief at times.
I've said in the past how I can sit there and quote the school's policies when arguing with a teacher. It's great when you can prove them wrong and it eventually gets to the point where they can't argue back.
Everyone thinks it's bizarre how the teachers get on so well with me when I'm a little clever cunt with them the majority of the time!

(21 Aug 2014, 7:48 pm)Dan wrote The lad who used that one about the maid certainly doesn't have one these days. I wasn't his mate in Year 7 because I thought he sounded like a right twat. He's definitely piped down over the years and is alright now. His house is massive though (four or five levels?), and there's at least 8 spare bedrooms, all beautifully furnished.

Me coming from a state school in Plains Farm didn't do me any favours in fitting in when I first joined. Most people had entered the senior school from the junior school, so all knew each other, but I didn't fit in very well at all. I seemed to talk to the older year groups the most, as they had already started to realise that it's not all about whose dad has the most expensive car, etc etc...

I'm definitely seen as the most common out of the lot of 'em, but I'd argue it's made me seem the most down to earth and has gained me more friends in the long run (despite the many arguments I've had). All of the teachers really respect me, and I do seem to be the 'teachers pet' despite causing the most mischief at times.
I've said in the past how I can sit there and quote the school's policies when arguing with a teacher. It's great when you can prove them wrong and it eventually gets to the point where they can't argue back.
Everyone thinks it's bizarre how the teachers get on so well with me when I'm a little clever cunt with them the majority of the time!

So you had to deal with similar things to me then, coming from deepest, Sunderland High is not exactly a place most people from deepest, darkest Plains Farm, or Murton in my case, would expect to goto, but hey, I heard the standard of education is really high there

(21 Aug 2014, 7:48 pm)Dan wrote The lad who used that one about the maid certainly doesn't have one these days. I wasn't his mate in Year 7 because I thought he sounded like a right twat. He's definitely piped down over the years and is alright now. His house is massive though (four or five levels?), and there's at least 8 spare bedrooms, all beautifully furnished.

Me coming from a state school in Plains Farm didn't do me any favours in fitting in when I first joined. Most people had entered the senior school from the junior school, so all knew each other, but I didn't fit in very well at all. I seemed to talk to the older year groups the most, as they had already started to realise that it's not all about whose dad has the most expensive car, etc etc...

I'm definitely seen as the most common out of the lot of 'em, but I'd argue it's made me seem the most down to earth and has gained me more friends in the long run (despite the many arguments I've had). All of the teachers really respect me, and I do seem to be the 'teachers pet' despite causing the most mischief at times.
I've said in the past how I can sit there and quote the school's policies when arguing with a teacher. It's great when you can prove them wrong and it eventually gets to the point where they can't argue back.
Everyone thinks it's bizarre how the teachers get on so well with me when I'm a little clever cunt with them the majority of the time!

I wish I had the ability to prove the teacher wrong. Thing is, in our school, it tends to turn into personal remarks.

(21 Aug 2014, 8:03 pm)marxistafozzski wrote So you had to deal with similar things to me then, coming from deepest, Sunderland High is not exactly a place most people from deepest, darkest Plains Farm, or Murton in my case, would expect to goto, but hey, I heard the standard of education is really high there

Like I say, I really enjoy it these days. The teachers are nice and everyone knows everyone, so if you're like me, you can find yourself talking and having a laugh with someone in the year below or someone two years above.

I wouldn't suggest any bullying has ever occurred, but we aren't short of sly bitchy remarks. In the early years, I was certainly on the receiving end of a few, but people learned not to give it out if they couldn't take it too - as I used to bite back with worse!

(21 Aug 2014, 6:29 pm)Dan wrote I find in my school you tend to get a lot more responsibility and you develop bonds with (most of the) teachers. The students get to know the teachers well, and vice versa. I've mentioned before that I know exactly how to push my Maths teacher's buttons, and he's quite good at pushing mine too, but it all comes across as banter (something which I'm guessing doesn't really happen in most state schools). I've been put in charge of organising several school trips, and I'm still in the process of trying to organise a trip to Prague during December of this year (I'm just trying to get the flights down as cheap as possible - so far they're just over £100 each, down from £135 at the start of this month).

I'm looking forward to going back!

I find it weird that me and most of my friendship group get along with teachers as you've described and can have conversations with some of them that other students wouldn't dare have in a million years. Whereas quite a few of the people in my year make it their mission to cause as much disruption as possible... I don't know whether it was our year group or the teachers that we've had but certainly in my time there it has felt much more friendly than first and middle school, which for some strange reason made me happy, not only for myself today, but for the teachers also as without them I know I wouldn't have had the motivation or belief to have got the grades I did.
Which I guess shows that no matter how much natural talent you have for something, as long as you have support and motivation you'll do well, regardless of how good your school is

(21 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)mb134 wrote I find it weird that me and most of my friendship group get along with teachers as you've described and can have conversations with some of them that other students wouldn't dare have in a million years. Whereas quite a few of the people in my year make it their mission to cause as much disruption as possible... I don't know whether it was our year group or the teachers that we've had but certainly in my time there it has felt much more friendly than first and middle school, which for some strange reason made me happy, not only for myself today, but for the teachers also as without them I know I wouldn't have had the motivation or belief to have got the grades I did.
Which I guess shows that no matter how much natural talent you have for something, as long as you have support and motivation you'll do well, regardless of how good your school is

I wouldn't dare back chat a teacher - they all hate me as it is anyway!

(21 Aug 2014, 8:06 pm)Dan wrote Like I say, I really enjoy it these days. The teachers are nice and everyone knows everyone, so if you're like me, you can find yourself talking and having a laugh with someone in the year below or someone two years above.

I wouldn't suggest any bullying has ever occurred, but we aren't short of sly bitchy remarks. In the early years, I was certainly on the receiving end of a few, but people learned not to give it out if they couldn't take it too - as I used to bite back with worse!

Fair play mate, that was like the atmosphere at Choristers, I got on with 90% of the kids, but only liked 4 teachers...

How did you end up there, are u on a scholarship there as I noticed you said you pay less than some for it, I mean it is not usually an opportunity kids from council estates or working classes gets handed to them.

This has give me an idea for another thread

(21 Aug 2014, 8:14 pm)Tom wrote I wouldn't dare back chat a teacher - they all hate me as it is anyway!

I think,over time, you learn what you can and cant get away with. At the start of year 11 French I had to change class and therefore had a new teacher, by the end of the year the banter in that class was unreal

(21 Aug 2014, 8:20 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Fair play mate, that was like the atmosphere at Choristers, I got on with 90% of the kids, but only liked 4 teachers...

How did you end up there, are u on a scholarship there as I noticed you said you pay less than some for it, I mean it is not usually an opportunity kids from council estates or working classes gets handed to them.

This has give me an idea for another thread

A scholarship and a bursary. Can't remember how much I've got to pay, but it's a hell of a lot less than everyone else! You're told from the start that it doesn't have to be a secret that you've got a scholarship and bursary, but I know I've not discussed it with anyone in my school. It was always something I thought I'd be judged for at the start and it just seems pointless telling people now.

(21 Aug 2014, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote A scholarship and a bursary. Can't remember how much I've got to pay, but it's a hell of a lot less than everyone else! You're told from the start that it doesn't have to be a secret that you've got a scholarship and bursary, but I know I've not discussed it with anyone in my school. It was always something I thought I'd be judged for at the start and it just seems pointless telling people now.

That's cool, you must have a good brain mate...One thing I do know, the education will be the best you could probably get

(21 Aug 2014, 8:51 pm)marxistafozzski wrote That's cool, you must have a good brain mate...One thing I do know, the education will be the best you could probably get

The way he structures and words his posts alone tells you he's a bright guy!

(21 Aug 2014, 8:58 pm)Marcus wrote The way he structures and words his posts alone tells you he's a bright guy!

Yep definitely, must say one thing Marcus, it is a hell of a chance he has by going there, a chance I ended up blowing big time...

Out of interest Dan, what A-Levels you takin g

(21 Aug 2014, 9:42 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Yep definitely, must say one thing Marcus, it is a hell of a chance he has by going there, a chance I ended up blowing big time...

Out of interest Dan, what A-Levels you takin g

Heheh!

As I still have no idea what I want to do in life, I've played by my strengths and decided to take the subjects I was predicted an A* at at GCSE: English, Media Studies, Business Studies and ICT.

I've been told that I'm taking 'easy A Levels' by studying Media and ICT, but at the end of the day, I enjoy both of those subjects, so I'm more likely to achieve good grades in them.

(22 Aug 2014, 5:18 am)Dan wrote Heheh!

As I still have no idea what I want to do in life, I've played by my strengths and decided to take the subjects I was predicted an A* at at GCSE: English, Media Studies, Business Studies and ICT.

I've been told that I'm taking 'easy A Levels' by studying Media and ICT, but at the end of the day, I enjoy both of those subjects, so I'm more likely to achieve good grades in them.

I got that old chestnut when I did performing arts...Why would I do an academic subject when I am not good at academics...Stick to your strengths mate and excel at what your good at...best of luck to you...

To paraphrase Lord Nelson

Mista Fozz expects Dan to do his duty

It really annoys me when enthusiasts seemingly pretend they know something, and end up giving out untrue information which others in turn then believe.
Also when "I'm told" proceeds this utter bull, to make it seem like they have contacts within the company who are telling them this factual information.
I'm confused why people even do it, because when the complete opposite happens or they are proven wrong, they end up looking like bellends!

I shall bite my tongue and avoid questioning statements that have been made...

(22 Aug 2014, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote It really annoys me when enthusiasts seemingly pretend they know something, and end up giving out untrue information which others in turn then believe.
Also when "I'm told" proceeds this utter bull, to make it seem like they have contacts within the company who are telling them this factual information.
I'm confused why people even do it, because when the complete opposite happens or they are proven wrong, they end up looking like bellends!

I shall bite my tongue and avoid questioning statements that have been made...

It's even more annoying when you have counter information that you know is true - suppose it's fun watching them make an arse of themselves.

(22 Aug 2014, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote It really annoys me when enthusiasts seemingly pretend they know something, and end up giving out untrue information which others in turn then believe.
Also when "I'm told" proceeds this utter bull, to make it seem like they have contacts within the company who are telling them this factual information.
I'm confused why people even do it, because when the complete opposite happens or they are proven wrong, they end up looking like bellends!

I shall bite my tongue and avoid questioning statements that have been made...

Yep. Its always been the case too, and I really can't understand it. I always remember going out for the Scania demonstrator that was used on the 21/22 years ago, and being told by an enthusiast that it had been sent back. Complete rubbish as it turned out to be.

More lately though I had a kid on the Citaro demonstrator telling me they'd ordered a load of B5TLs for the Toon Link. 2 and 2 together and coming up with 78932962.

Something I seen earlier that I despise like nothing else. People standing smoking whilst young children wait in the pram with no choice. I'm all for grown adults killing themselves if they choose to smoke their life away, but to do it to an innocent child is selfish and inexcusable.

(22 Aug 2014, 5:38 pm)aureolin wrote Something I seen earlier that I despise like nothing else. People standing smoking whilst young children wait in the pram with no choice. I'm all for grown adults killing themselves if they choose to smoke their life away, but to do it to an innocent child is selfish and inexcusable.

Smoking in cars with young children is unnacceptable too. I'm lucky none of my family smoke!

(22 Aug 2014, 5:36 pm)aureolin wrote Yep. Its always been the case too, and I really can't understand it. I always remember going out for the Scania demonstrator that was used on the 21/22 years ago, and being told by an enthusiast that it had been sent back. Complete rubbish as it turned out to be.

More lately though I had a kid on the Citaro demonstrator telling me they'd ordered a load of B5TLs for the Toon Link. 2 and 2 together and coming up with 78932962.

I remember getting so annoyed at the Metrocentre rally earlier this year.

One guy was telling everyone (who was seemingly believing him) that Go North East were going to be getting some ex-London Geminis during the summer to replace all of the Olympians and Volvo B7TLs. This came from the same guy who told me, in April 2013, that Go North East had ordered some Volvo B9TLs for the Prince Bishops and they were being built as we spoke. I'm still waiting to see them...

Mind boggling...

This is very true, they are buying ADL E400H MMC for the 21/X21

(22 Aug 2014, 7:48 pm)mrnut85 wrote This is very true, they are buying ADL E400H MMC for the 21/X21

Don't joke - I'm still waiting to see this Enviro400 demonstrator which is due for the X21............

(22 Aug 2014, 6:11 pm)Dan wrote I remember getting so annoyed at the Metrocentre rally earlier this year.

One guy was telling everyone (who was seemingly believing him) that Go North East were going to be getting some ex-London Geminis during the summer to replace all of the Olympians and Volvo B7TLs. This came from the same guy who told me, in April 2013, that Go North East had ordered some Volvo B9TLs for the Prince Bishops and they were being built as we spoke. I'm still waiting to see them...

Mind boggling...

But as we all know, plans change

(22 Aug 2014, 7:55 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote But as we all know, plans change

I think that's what people think they can always fall back on...

Imagine if the management of these companies were actually so dim-witted and thought they could just pull this money out of their back pockets!

What cant be classed as a rumour is when the whole 'West Durham Swift' to be upgraded to Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s. And yes, i do have proof for this :p

In the January 2012 edition of 'Buses' magazine there was a whole article on Go North East (titled 'Angel of the North', from the late Peter Huntley was managing director. Located under the 'Cascades and SimpliCity' subheading is the following:

"Investment in key corridors has delivered impressive growth and has been refined to the point where Huntley says capital investment in one corridor can be justified not just on the growth it will generate there byt on what can be achieved by cascading and refurbishing two more sets of buses to reinvigorate less busy rutes with their own modest growth potential."

All this is good. Its from the next sentence where my point gets proven:

"A case in this point is the West Durham Swift network linking relatively cheap housing in Lanchester, Consett and Stanley with jobs in Gateshead and Newcastle. This has grown by over 20% since its launch with new Scania OmniCity single-deckers in 2007 and will be upgraded next year with new Wright-bodied Volvo B9TL double-deckers, which will remove the need for extra peak hour single-deckers. Double-deckers are the only cost-effective way of handling growth in the peaks."

Then it goes onto what was supposed to happen with the Scanias:

"Some of the displaced Scanias will be refurbished to upgrade the Lime branded 78 route between Consett and Sunderland in turn moving older Wright-bodied Volvo B10BLEs to replace less reliable lighter weight single-deckers elsewhere.

As we know, Peter Huntley left and was replaced. These plans then went out the window when the new managing director came in for whatever reason and quite frankly would have ruined hopes of people that use these routes as they instead of getting an upgrade, stuck with the buses they had and in the WDS networks case, got older buses that are no where near as luxurious as the Scanias that had proceeded them.

(22 Aug 2014, 8:38 pm)Robert wrote What cant be classed as a rumour is when the whole 'West Durham Swift' to be upgraded to Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s. And yes, i do have proof for this :p

In the January 2012 edition of 'Buses' magazine there was a whole article on Go North East (titled 'Angel of the North', from the late Peter Huntley was managing director. Located under the 'Cascades and SimpliCity' subheading is the following:

"Investment in key corridors has delivered impressive growth and has been refined to the point where Huntley says capital investment in one corridor can be justified not just on the growth it will generate there byt on what can be achieved by cascading and refurbishing two more sets of buses to reinvigorate less busy rutes with their own modest growth potential."

All this is good. Its from the next sentence where my point gets proven:

"A case in this point is the West Durham Swift network linking relatively cheap housing in Lanchester, Consett and Stanley with jobs in Gateshead and Newcastle. This has grown by over 20% since its launch with new Scania OmniCity single-deckers in 2007 and will be upgraded next year with new Wright-bodied Volvo B9TL double-deckers, which will remove the need for extra peak hour single-deckers. Double-deckers are the only cost-effective way of handling growth in the peaks."

Then it goes onto what was supposed to happen with the Scanias:

"Some of the displaced Scanias will be refurbished to upgrade the Lime branded 78 route between Consett and Sunderland in turn moving older Wright-bodied Volvo B10BLEs to replace less reliable lighter weight single-deckers elsewhere.

As we know, Peter Huntley left and was replaced. These plans then went out the window when the new managing director came in for whatever reason and quite frankly would have ruined hopes of people that use these routes as they instead of getting an upgrade, stuck with the buses they had and in the WDS networks case, got older buses that are no where near as luxurious as the Scanias that had proceeded them.

How does the X30/X31 do? Not many people on yesterday until East Stanley, but there was a queue waiting for it heading to Lanchester.

(22 Aug 2014, 9:08 pm)Tom wrote How does the X30/X31 do? Not many people on yesterday until East Stanley, but there was a queue waiting for it heading to Lanchester.

When they stuck the Rxxx FNW Dafs on, it won awards/recognition for it being one of the fastest growing services in the country!
There were press releases done at the time.

(22 Aug 2014, 9:13 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote When they stuck the Rxxx FNW Dafs on, it won awards/recognition for it being one of the fastest growing services in the country!
There were press releases done at the time.

In it's defence, I did see a ex-London President heading in the opposite direction at Gateshead with a very few amount of seats yet.

(22 Aug 2014, 9:08 pm)Tom wrote How does the X30/X31 do? Not many people on yesterday until East Stanley, but there was a queue waiting for it heading to Lanchester.

It varies, they obviously monitor loadings pretty carefully across the X30/X31/X70/X71 so they know what boards to allocate the Omnicities to and what boards to allocate the Presidents to. I think it should go back to full decker operation but again but maybe not new vehicles yet. See how well the services cope and see where things go from there.

(22 Aug 2014, 9:19 pm)Tom wrote In it's defence, I did see a ex-London President heading in the opposite direction at Gateshead with a very few amount of seats yet.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65726

Not as militant, but just as determined!