I agree absolutely - buy what the school recommend in the right order, and get this briefing on how things work from your instructor.
However, just on a few points:
- If you are likely to try and go "pro" get a professional flying logbook now, rather than one of the small PPL types. The extra few quid is not much in the scheme of things but will make life much easier later.
- Normally flights are signed off by the school at the end of a course, rather than per flight.
- Most logbooks record brakes-off to brakes-on, and it is your responsibility to maintain this record. Many of us nowadays keep an electronic backup as well (there are several commercial products, or you can create your own in something like MS-Excel: there are numerous Excel logbooks floating around the web as well if you don't want to write your own).
- If you want a lengthy briefing from your instructor, either book a slot, or pick a miserable-weather-day when he can't fly anyhow.
G