Current Year 10 2020/2021 support thread

DS has just left for school, he's really nervous! I think he's mostly nervous in case he isn't in the top sets (he will be, he's being silly) and in case he doesn't get the teachers he wants or more specifically, in case he gets a couple of teachers he loathes

It feels a bit like I've just waved him off for the first day of Year 7, it's been such a long time since he went to school that it feels pretty odd. Roll on 3:30...

DD2's timetable has gone up online.

Lots of double periods to restrict excess movement around the school. She even has triple French & History! Luckily there's a lunch break after 2 periods to give them a break. She's not too bothered as they're among her favourite subjects Her school building is quite old and has narrow corridors.

Along with the core subjects she's taking RE (compulsory), triple sciences, Food Tech and Drama. She seems happy with it.

We got told masks required in communal areas today, still another week to go here before back as last years in.

DS has referred to business as his filler, though he used a different word that I can’t recall. It was a backup choice and I think he’ll find it pretty straightforward and has a logical mind.

Timetable was up on the parent app. DS pleased he has the good languages teacher.

I’m so excited for tomorrow. Though DS1/2 don’t start until 12!

Oh how lovely to find this thread!

DD has chosen geography, German and PE plus separate sciences, eng/maths/RE/IT.

We went back today.

@TheOnlyMrsW and @MercedesDeMonteChristo DD is the same with her chosen subjects, she took
History, Geography and Spanish to go along with the compulsory RE, triple science, Maths and 3 English. She is not creative or sporty in the slightest so she picked based on her strengths. But I think she has suddenly realised that her timetable is “all work and no filler” as she calls it.

It feels weird not having DS at home. But I know he’ll have a fantastic time as a boarder. I’m curious to see how he gets on with some of his subjects. I was surprised he picked Spanish over French, and I’d never have predicted he’d pick drama. I don’t suppose I’ll hear much until he finishes school on Saturday.

Thanks Mercedes, I know DD has made the right choices for her, it just all seems very real!!!

DD's timetable (she starts on Friday) has gone up on their VLE. Historically the timetables that go up early are full of mistakes (one year DS had a day that was double biology, then chemistry, then another biology) but she's got quite excited. As she started GCSE courses last year the school does not historically change teachers between Year 9 and 10, but this year they have reorganised to keep them in similar groups as much as possible so she actually had a whole bunch of teachers I've never heard of. Thankfully she still has the 2 teachers she really liked. She's currently messaging her best friend to see if they are in the same history group :)

One of the SEN team from school just rang to see how DS2 is and see if we have any questions ahead of tomorrow - she was lovely and is looking forward to seeing him again.

She did ask about the mask wearing in corridors and communal spaces as he is technically exempt (we are in an area with further measures in place) so far he has been ok with them but she wanted to let us know that there is a blazer badge they can issue to indicate exemption if needed.

Thankfully she confirmed he will have all his options for GCSE, so he is very happy to go back.

MrsW DS’s will be the same, but he genuinely works best that way and has zero interest in music/art though he did go for drama (over food in the end).

I haven’t told DS that I’ve found out the head of languages is on sabbatical this year. She is amazing and I think he was hoping for her as he picked Spanish and French and they usually have the same teacher. The options left are one good teacher, one who struggles with discipline and being engaging - I think the good teacher would be great (also HoY) but is just outshone by HoD. Other options might be he has French teacher from the French/German contingent and one of the above for Spanish. Or her replacement.

DD has her timetable and seems happy with her classes and teachers plus it looks like they will still be doing practicals in Food Tech which she was worrying about.
Her timetable looks very academic all of a sudden to me, she's taking French, German, Geography & Food as well as Maths, English & Science x 3. Her choices - she didn't get on at all with creative subjects, but it looks very "exammy" if that makes sense?

NancyJoan

DS2 used to get the school bus to and from school, but at the end of last year felt it was too busy for him (ASD), and started getting the public bus to and form school - he will keep doing this now as I think the school bus will be a nightmare in terns of social distancing/mask wearing, and my boy can't cope with rule breaking at all.

We should be ok with whatever half day they timetable his year with, at least til the end of 2020 as both DH and I are still WFH, but after that, who knows? I could not trust DS2 to just get on with work set, he would lose focus or become frustrated if he struggled with something.

I need to ask if he still can get his " hall pass" to use when things get too much for him too.

We got the final welcome back email from school yesterday - DS2 goes in for 3 hours "orientation" and maths/english tutorial on Thursday afternoon.

He is then not back in til Monday - they have moved to a 4 x 1 hour lessons with cleaning and handwashing time and a shorter lunch, will stay in areas etc - and have been told they will have a half afternoon of "home study" a week, to facilitate deep cleaning, but we won't find out which day his year have been allocated til he gets his timetable tomorrow.

No mention of dropping a subject so far. We got a 4 page list of dos and don't emailed to us!

We’re dropping DS off at the boarding house today. School starts tomorrow. He’s been a day boy previously, so this will be a new experience. He can always switch back if it doesn’t work out - our house is actually closer to the school than his boarding house is (just in the opposite direction). But I’m really hoping that the structure of boarding will be good for him.

Thanks @MercedesDeMonteChristo my two aren't back till next week, so I'll have to keep an eye out for any emails from school or college.

Our primary wrote today to say they would also send siblings home and expect families to isolate for 10 days unless a negative test happens.

Does anyone know how bubbles work? I know my daughter is in a bubble with the rest of the year, and they suggested if two students have symptoms all kids will come home. So who then self isolates? Said child? daughter also at college ? Myself and husband? I'm not 💯 sure.

QueenMabby A colleague passing by DC's school today reported that it was more chaotic and crowded than normal school days. And they only have Year 7 in today! So hoping it was first day nerves (for parents) and the volume of traffic has not increased exponentially!

I’m in school this afternoon with dd (starting yr 7) for something unrelated to the new term and There’s a positive chicane of traffic cones in the car park for school drop offs - next week is going to be chaos!

DS can’t believe it either. It’s think he feels it’s the end of his childhood
For years he has had older sibs doing exams and now it’s his turn

I’m quite excited to get some routine back.

signing in. can't believe we are at this point.