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

Thanks all ! And that's great news Jufus, well done that was worth it !!

Jufus that's great news that she's got her 4.

oratory how inspiring and feel free to express your happiness anytime
Congrats jufus!! Yes, it really bugs me, all those kids with wrong marks, so unfair

Great news Jufus. Your DD must be so pleased.

All still quiet on the social media front for DD and she's feeling ok about it. Am amazed at how nasty some of her former friends have been towards her.

DD has lots of homework to keep her busy and i'm thankful that she manages to fit into her study periods. I made a conscious effort not to call them 'free' periods in an attempt to remind her that she shouldn't waste the time doing nothing.

Oh and a unexpected space came up on a trip next week so DD has jumped at the chance to join it. I think getting away (and some sunshine) will do her the world of good!

Fantastic news Jufus. Congrats to your DD.

Glad all is going well for the DC on here.
Had DD's German remark back from School From Hell, up by 7 marks and onto a Grade 4 so a pass! She was miffed that German was her only non-pass so she's happier now.
Makes me wonder how many DC are wandering around with the wrong GCSE results though?

pannetone google ‘Oxford college study days’ or similar. Many (but not all) of them are for state school students. It doesn’t look like there’s much up for 2019 yet but the 2018 stuff is still there so you can get an idea of the sort of thing that’s available. Most of the subjects are covered.

We found some of the colleges put on some slightly off beat things, one DD looked at but couldn’t get to for example was ‘women in philosophy’ They also do ‘ outreach’ type things normally for state school or fe college students. So not normally the standard subject things which are in depts and they can be tricky to find - but worth a google every now and again.

Missed your post Oratory - glad you were able to ‘enjoy the moment’ today. Contentment is a real gift.

TheThird DS isn’t even sure he wants to do Physics at uni but this is a tentative start on deciding the route ahead.

Won’t be any complaints about the Masterclasses from me Cherryburn - I’m grateful they’re giving DS a way in to thinking about uni choices. Are you saying we could also investigate what individual Oxbridge colleges are putting on for different subjects? I thought only uni departments would put on subject talks.

Oratory great that all is going well for your DC. ‘You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child’ often pops into my head! It’s certainly worth appreciating the moment when things are good.

Glad that the heads up on the Cambridge masterclasses has been useful for some. They can get booked up pretty quickly so it’s good to get in there early. Hope they’re useful for those who have booked...don’t blame me if they’re not ! It’s also worth looking into what individual colleges at both places are putting on, subject wise. DD attended one at Cambridge and one at Oxford. The one at Oxford was particularly good as they ran 3 seminars on 3 different aspects of her course across the day (which they had to do some pre-reading for) as well as an admissions advice session.

With DS1 I had to walk separately to him if we were in town. He's fine now, has been since 18 yo or so. DS3 is in the midst of finding me embarrassing, especially that 'talking to strangers' thing. That's the absolute worst thing I could do, so I do it all the time, of course.

@pannetone DS2 has booked to go on the Physics masterclass.

Aw Oratory that's lovely - it's important to count blessings and give thanks.
Ds is still quite tactile and will hug in private but the Mum thing in public I get!
Limit I rememebr dh talking about his Mum who would talk to anyone ad everyone and how it made him squirm when he was a teenager - he reflects now it was because he had no idea how to talk to people.

Sounds like you deserve some peace after some rollercoaster years

Just read the FAQ - it says to keep checking back for masterclasses in subjects not listed.

Thank you Cherryburn for the info about the Cambridge Subject masterclasses - just checked again and now all of them are available to book. DS is going to book the Physics one. Does anyone know why there isn’t a Maths one?

Timetable are very much the luck of the draw. DD2 is in heaven as she has wednesdays and Fridays completely free at uni with everything loaded on Monday and Tuesday - so Wednesday to catch up on work and washing and Friday to come home or see bf.

I Hope this isn’t insensitive to anyone having a tough time and I’m almost scared to say it in case it all unravels - but after a real roller coaster few years I am sitting in the sun having spoken to all three dc, all doing ok and currently happy with their lot. So I shall sit here a bit longer and enjoy feeling v lucky atm.

(and even better they’ll all be back at the weekend 😀)

😂😂 I get that ! Even worse crime would be to say anything to their friends.

Yes, she is very lucky brainmelt. I guess with your ds' busy schedule he will be looking forward to half term

On the not being seen with your parent - mine don't mind this, but I am not permitted, on any account to strike up an amiable conversation with a stranger when out and about, because that's just weird and embarrassing apparently

Its lovely when they get over that and on to the next stage. I remember falling over in shock when DD2 said did I want to go and see a film with her after a couple of years of not wanting to be in the same town !

DS has never stopped hugging thank God (I'm a serial hugger ), but would not in front of his mates. He doesn't mind being seen with me though. I think it depends on their friends and the culture of each individual school. limit that's a really cool timetable. DS has less free time as his school have a lot of extra must-do for sixth formers. The couple of days he could come home for lunch he refuses because he wants to do all the afterschool music ensembles, so he's still home at 6pm. Because of this, there's been little change to his and our life.

DS2 seems to have decided that being seen with your mother is socially embarrassing. I think the boys tease each other about being out and about with their mum, even when its expected (eg parent's night).
I was hurt and asked him why once and he said being seen with your mum is even worse than being seen with your dad because she's the one who looked after you when you were a baby.
I guess it makes sense if you are 13/14.....

Anyway, I expect him to grow out of it and I'll be glad when he does (I don't like feeling like a source of embarrassment). But for the moment, at DS's school, a teenage boy having to engage with their mother in public is considered socially taboo.

Yes. It’s lovely. My dd is also very hands off. Always has been since a baby.

Its great isn't Alexander - I still get lots of hugs (now 14). Which is good because dd is the least tactile person on the planet and freezes ramrod straight if I try to hug her

In Year 7 I tried to suggest to ds that giving me a goodbye kiss and hug might not be the done thing. He was horrified and said I will never be too old for a hug from my mum. Now at 15 he is still very tactile.