GCSE '18s (20) - half term beckons!

Wrote a long post yesterday but didn't seem to send it!

Was delurking to say that DD is loving college but finding it hard work. Home work every lesson and test assesments every 4 - 6 weeks to make sure all students stay on track; we did know this before she started and it was all her decision to go there instead of stay on at school but there's a huge difference in the workload the group that chose to go to college have and those that stayed at school. She's already making revision resources, as they've been drilled not to leave it to the end, in fact with the continuous assesments she's already revising. She uses her free periods and tries to get the majority of work done in the week so that weekends are free to socialise, I think she's got the balance about right.

Good to see that, in general, it seems to be going well for everyone; I think that everyone has earned the break at half term.

Sounds like some of your DC are off on amazing trips! DD is hoping to get on the history trip to Germany next summer. There will probably be more students who want to go than places available, so she took her form back asap as it is first come first served.

She has test week this week, results after half term. I'm hoping this will persuade her to drop an a level...i really think she would be better to focus on 3 not 4.

Sandy - i'm sure your DS will have a great time in Japan and they will be sure to accommodate him if he explains he doesn't like fish.

My DD had a very similar small class for GCSE Music and it worked really well for them. Apparently the A Level class has only 2 students (DD has moved schools).

Good luck with the move Sandy! I'm sure GCSE music will go well, especially with a small class. DS is loving the music A level partly because it's a small group and they get on really well, too!
I think we're all more than ready for half term but DS seems quite happy about having essays to do.

Popping back in - been a bit preoccupied with work and prepping house to go on the market. They're coming to do the photos today and it's been last minute decluttering and painting. I like looking at houses but am exhausted by sorting out my own. Just need to find somewhere to hide DDog!

It's been a good half term for DS1. He's keeping on top of his work and seems quite happy. We should get half term grades today, he's already seen them and was pleased.

He's off to Japan tomorrow for 10 days on a STEM trip. It looks really interesting - think bullet train, huge storm cellars under Tokyo etc. The only thing he's not looking forward to is a sushi making class - he hates fish! When he gets back he's doing the KCL Chemistry taster day - I think someone else's DC is also doing it?

DD1 is thriving in her first year of GCSE. After reading some of the comments about Music GCSE here I am as a bit worried but it's a small class (6) and they seem to have a lovely social time together!

Alexander, DS is currently in Berlin on school trip, travelling to Krakow + Auschwitz at the weekend. It looks like an amazing trip.

I think I know who you were ohn, but I can be a bit slow-witted sometimes so if a post appears from the other username, I will take you up on your PM offer!

@TheFirstOHN - yep, still recognisable thank goodness (it's just so hard to remember who is who after name changes!!)
DD finally settled on her 3 A Levels. She has dropped her best subject (which was also the only one she had intended to do pre GCSE results day) and settled on all humanities (previously all STEM).
Think she has made the best choice as a combination so I am heartily relieved that she made (what I think is) the right decision.

I think I’ve got the gist ohn

As a result of something that came to light today, I've decided to go back to my origins and start again semi-acronymically. Hopefully far enough to elude an AS, but hopefully close enough to be recognisable to those here. Happy to clarify by PM.

I don’t know. I’m guessing it’s a GCSE history trip and someone dropped out but the RE teacher thought it would be great for dd.

So glad its half term it tomorrow - I think DS is dead on his feet but he gets two week now :):)

On the other hand time is flying by so quickly its scary. Seems like only yesterday we were building up nervously to the first GCSE exam.

Did dd s first adult passport last month and it really wasn’t clear whether it needed countersigning or not - we did just because we could but may not be needed.

Is it with the holocaust education trust Alex - if so they are amazing. But will be amazing anyway if not !!

You can still submit a countersigned physical photo via the online form, as we did it. A lady in the passport office talked me through to the section where your appearance has changed. A couple of tick boxes later and a passport photo in the post and we were done. I couldn't find the relevant bit by myself though. It took a couple of weeks to come through.

That’s interesting as I thought that if your appearance had changed a lot it had to be countersigned.

DS was the same last July - 1st adult passport, old passport had expired, photo was way out of date.

He/ I just went onto www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport and applied. He/ I uploaded a photo i took that morning on my phone. Then he (I) had to post back the expired one. 3 weeks later, his passport dropped through the letterbox.

DS had to do the application, so I helped him.

It will be her first adult passport. She can't use the photo on her old one when she was 10.

You don't need the photo counter-signed. She's an adult.

I can get an appointment in Liverpool next week when she's on half term if dh can take her on the train and If she can get photo countersigned by a teacher before school breaks up tomorrow and I can find the £140 odd fast track passport fee. We were about to apply for passports for both dd and ds in the next few weeks anyway as they are both going on trips next year with school.

AH its ok ... passport applications are quick, especially in the autumn. Apply online. Take a digital photo.

DS's 1st adult passport arrived after 3 weeks in July when we did it that way, and his old passport had expired too.

You can use Post Office check and send service for that sort of timescale Alexander - they will most likely have it back within a fortnight, especially at this time of year

Dd has been offered a free place on a trip to Auschwitcz.

Only problem is its the end of November and she doesn't have a passport!

"Her issue is remembering information, she writes big long revision essays but I’ll ask a question and she can’t remember.

An example is she had to study two Volcanoes, I asked her the names of the volcanoes and she couldn’t remember! "

Villanelle - I thought along the same lines as Oratory when reading those remarks above. Possibly spLD?

My ds (Y10) has considered a future career in Medicine, but has reflected that he doesn't have the stamina for all the study required . I am not going to dissuade him from this since I think its potentially a bit of a poisoned chalice of a career (there's plenty published on suicide rates, alcoholism etc among medics) and only really suits those with the most robust (mental and emotional) constitution - which of course may well be your dd (sorry, rambling..)

*Alexander