Thread Uimhir a hocht,, the Exit

[Carriemac]

Here it is!

Oh the chores can definitely wait egg just go to town for the mooch!

I'm feeling very flat today, we got DC first year school report and it's not good. High marks in 3 subjects and the rest are complete fails. I'm so disappointed. And worried. Lots of 'has bags of ability but needs to make the effort' type comments. I just don't know what to do now for September. Really there is absolutely zero interest. It's frustrating when you know the ability is there but also worrying when we think of all the other consequences of not doing well in school, especially from an early stage. Or maybe we're just overreacting. But it doesn't feel like it

What were his previous reports like, from primary school?
Is it the kind of school where subject choices are after first year, or before starting? Is there a pattern, like doing ok in English and history, but not maths and science?
It has been a dreadful couple of years, teachers must find it difficult to pick up issues remotely. Do you think dyslexia or a vision problem hasn't been noticed?
I really hope education will go back to normal in September, for everyone!

@LifeInAHamsterWheel don't take it too much to heart. It's only first year which is very much a settling in time IME. It's a huge change from primary, they're trying to adjust to that and make new friends, etc

Added to that it was a really hard year for them, all the extra rules and restrictions, masks, bubbles. It's very difficult for them no matter how blasé they might appear.

Celebrate the good marks, he can work on the other subjects next year. A family friend was the head of a well known secondary school until he retired. His philosophy is to really 'accentuate the positive', really praise them when they do well, it's great for their confidence and this helps with the subjects they find harder.

Don't be hard on yourself either, parenting teens is a minefield

Hi @LifeInAHamsterWheel. I think that this year's first years got a really raw deal and this year's second years had a hard time too.
It was a really disjointed academic year. They had one term in school and after that they spent the equivalent out of school, then back in for six weeks. Lessons on zoom were no replacement for the classroom.
Hopefully things will normalise next September and he will settle properly into school with regular contact with teachers, homework getting corrected and feedback or discipline if required. It's going to be hard for students and teachers picking up the pieces with all the disruption this past while.

Thanks everyone, yes I agree that the effects of Covid were pretty awful and it's bound to have taken its toll. It's just very frustrating to see so much ability go to waste! There's simply no interest, there won't even be any upset at the bad marks (I wish I could be so blasé about stuff!) But yes, we need to just draw a line under it I think, and hope that they get a better stab at proper school life in September. Onwards and upwards!

Dh reckons English schools need to close, and give everyone a proper summer break. Apart from the obvious childcare issues, can you imagine the outcry... even six weeks break will do untold damage to the fragile English kids!
My kids always felt sorry for the English cousins.

Are they not closing @eggandonion?? God almighty. I’d be on my knees

I decided to pop back on. Been in a bad place for a while and threw myself into work, left myself no time for much else.
Feeling a little better.
Got my first jab today.

Glad you're feeling better, and hooray for your first jab. I get my second on Monday - double hooray!

As far as I can see uk schools are still trundling on.
I hope things are going better now, @Iblinkedandiamold
I'm astra zenica and have no idea when they are going to schedule them!

It's nice to see you back @Iblinkedandiamold
@eggandonion my fil is Astra too and he's getting his second dose Monday if that's any help to you?

@halfpasteleven so is my stepmother. I think she got her first one end of April/early May or thereabouts.

We got ours mid May. So hopefully we'll get a date soon.
The twenty and thirty somethings really need it too.

My parents got Astra when they were doing the 16 week gap. Really hoping they get a few weeks off for good behaviour

In Germany it is officially still a 4 to 12 week gap, but just recently they have said 12 is definitely better, so that's what it will be for most people.

Nice to have you back @Iblinkedandiamold.

@TheVeryThing, I just wanted to come back to you about your tip from a few weeks back - my DP popped in to his GP on a minor pretext and lo and behold, acquired a dose of Astra. It's definitely the squeaky wheel that gets the grease

I've put my own name down with two GP practices as well as the centralized vax service so still waiting and seeing. As I've not really needed to see any doctors in recent years I just don't have any clout with them - can't really complain about being too healthy I suppose!

It's good to see you back Iblinked. It's a great feeling of relief to get the first dose. I'm waiting for the text for my second one.
Only two of my relatives got the AZ.

Ah Iblinkedandiamold sorry to hear read that.
Hope life is a bit better for you now.

Just popping in here to sit down and take a break from another thread that is making my blood boil.

Anyway..... it's sunny and this afternoon I get my first Pfizer shot.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel I suppose all you can really do about the exam results are talk to him, explain that you understand that it wasn't an easy year but that these kind of results will not be accepted next year.

If you are very concerned in Sept, try arrange a meeting with his year head around Hallowe'en to assess how he is doing. Don't let it become a habit, but after the initial discussion, I wouldn't mention it again ever. Set new goals and move on.

Hello again @Iblinkedandiamold I hope you're feeling a lot better now, it's good to see you back on the thread

Thank you @sillysmiles yes we've drawn a line under it all for now but he knows that things will have to change come September. I think he got a shock himself to be honest, he's quite smart and has got by with doing very little thinking that he'd be grand and now realises that you actually have to put some effort in to get results!

It's been lovely here the last few days, although I'm in work so not really able to enjoy it which is just typical I'm going OUT OUT at the weekend and am so looking foward to it! praying that any rain and wind holds off until Sunday!

Vaccine day here in the Cliffs household as both of us are getting the Pfizer this morning. Hoping for minimal side effects. No local support so kids may have to forage for themselves…

Good luck Cliffs! DH had no effects from his Pfizer, so hope you guys have a similar experience. I am getting my 2nd Astrazenica today, I was so sick after the first one, but hoping the 2nd dose isn't too bad.

Good luck Cliffs! DH has had his two doses of Pfizer. His arm was more sore second time round and he felt a bit muzzy in the head. Both of us had sore arms after the first dose, but we were able to function, no bother.
I'm still waiting for my text for my second jab.

I had my second Pfizer today. Delighted!!! Had a sore arm for a few days the first time, and that night I didn't sleep a wink - I was absolutely wired, not a bit tired and my mind was galloping at a million miles an hour. So, hoping I sleep tonight!!