GCSEs 2018 (15) The Reckoning

Well done those getting themselves jobs, they will gain so much not just financially!

DS hasn't even looked at his holiday homework, maybe once results are in and the DC know exactly waht they are doing they may all become more focused

When they all do start 6th form or college it will be interesting to compare teaching hours, as I know DS's school have definitely cut the number of hours, in fact one lesson is without a teacher I wonder how many will turn up to that lesson.

DD has a level prep homework but as usual no sign of it being done. Granted she has been doing NCS but she’s had plenty of time. If she does get into 6th form I am concerned about her time management/planning skills as she leaves everything to the last minute.

Not sure if this prep goes towards anything or just to keep brain active during holidays

We had an email about suggested holiday work (the first time the school has done it) but it was very much framed as a good idea if you want to be well prepared for difficult a levels so not compulsory and most subjects looked liked it was suggested books to read or films to watch

DS2 has been given some Maths to do. Approx 25 exercises; mostly algebra. There will be a test in the first week of September; passing this is a requirement for continuing on to the A-level course.

mmzz I got an email about holiday homework from current school but I don't think it carried any threats about the places! DS's first and second choices haven't set anything. I think all 3 choices have a contribution to funds form.
Much nicer and fresher here this morning!

It’s a bit like all the pep talks pre gcse - DD1 said they were pointless because they made no difference to those that didn’t want to work and the conscientious anxious dc were just made more anxious

I'm glad you say that Stickerrocks. I reckon that those e-mails will only be taken notice of by the pupils/ parents who fret anyway - which is exactly the wrong audience. 4% sounds about right (well, possibly on the lean side, but not by much!) from the accounts my DC have given re. take up. If the DC want to do tasks over the summer or in the couple of days ahead of term then fine, but I very seriously doubt that (especially in this climate of schools being desperate to fill places) any course in the entire country would be in jeopardy.

I think your DS should set up a new email account which the school can use to message him on, but which he will only check during standard office hours and not when he is on holiday (if he ends up staying on). Their approach is decidedly unhealthy.

Just as well he's moving on mmzz! They just seem to start afresh at my DCs' school, when term starts. It's super over the top to start sending e-mails about courses being in jeopardy etc. Anyhow, on the basis that it's independent we parents don't need to know if the DC have done it either way!

Well mmzz presumably he will have the chance to crack on with it if he needs to on 24th, but hopefully he won't need to. DD hasn't thought about studying as she's been so busy playing tennis, going on holiday & doing NCS. Next week she heads back to work for 3 days each week, so I doubt if any will get done then either. I work on the assumption with my own classes that a 4% success rate (yes, 1 out of 25, I didn't mistype for once) is a resounding success for any pre-course work.

hmc at least your DD sent some applications!

mmzz DD has similar tasks for every subject she is doing PLUS a task for the academic scholars. I just don't think she is really ready for the next step - 'independent learning' and'self-motivated effort' don't come easily to her...

and it's raining here at mine.. A grand total of a day to enjoy the new garden furniture purchased before the furniture covers have gone on!! Lovely and cool downstairs but can't open any windows in the bedroom as one is a velux so the rain comes straight in, and the other apparently is a rain magnet and is covered in oncoming raindrops...

Yes probably won’t be a problem goodbye but DS allways forgets so much and struggles more at the start of term and given that a levels won’t be easy for him anyway it would be useful if he got his brain in gear and refreshed things before he went back

Sounds like we’re lucky to have a few local businesses desperate for staff

Up in Scotland we're not in any hurry for more rain! Tonight is clear but only just about warm.

I don't think the holiday work is something the teachers especially expect to be done. It wasn't treated as a cardinal sin for the older DC, if it wasn't done, or was only very vaguely done.

Sounds like we are lucky to have a few local outlets desperate for staff

...weather (missing word from previous post)

Thanks for the 'Yay' Stickerrocks

DD hasn't got a job either farangatang - she made a half arsed attempt by sending out half a dozen speculative letters but only got one bite - and they wanted her to train up straight away but she was due to go on a fortnights holiday, so that was that

Bit of drizzle here and the evening is not quite so oppressively hot. I have not enjoyed Costa Del UK so will embrace the forecast cooler

It rained here earlier. Big, fat, sandy Saharan raindrops which have made my grubby looking car look even filthier. It's still hot & sticky with a definite feeling of thunder in the air.

Maybe I’ll push that a bit after results day when a levels seem more real

Hmm downside of the job is I don’t think holiday work will get done !! Experience gained is probably more valuable as DS knowledge of what goes on in the wider world is negligible so this will hopefully open his eyes a bit even to simple things like names of things people buy and how tills and credit cards work and what things cost !!! He will also have to talk to people 😀. Would have been good to have given his brain a refresh on some of the holiday work though too as he forgets so much between terms.