Christmas half term - Year 13 (another original thread title!)

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Carrying on from previous thread

I'm so rubbish with thread titles. Anyway...

This time last year there was lots of chat about tests/exams/mocks at this point. Are there fewer of them, or is everyone more chilled about them?

I know someone who is at uni being paid for by the army, but she has no intention of joining up when she graduates. Not sure how that will pan out.

One of my school friends was sponsored through an engineering degree and had to work for them for 3 years afterwards - it was written into the contract. So I expect that this person will find similar ursula.
One more day of term left here and we are looking forward to a break over the holidays. Looks as if some holiday work will be set though as dds A levels are quite coursework heavy!

If she is on an Army scholarship then she will have already signed up (unless maybe her parents are in the forces). And several people I know were a bit shocked to fully realise that joining the RAF cadets which they did to learn to fly meant they were in the reserves automatically after graduating.

Her parents are in the Forces and quite senior.

I really wish we only had one more day!
We don't break up until 22nd here, so still over a week to go

We had a snow day on Monday though which was perfect timing for dd to catch up on a bit of R&R after a relentlessly busy few weeks.
I don't think she'd have managed this week without that little break from everything!

Those degree level apprentiships look to be the bees knees.

Some of you might be interested in the gchq sponsorship program which is open to applicants now.

dd finishes on Friday. I’m hopeful it will be a proper break with not too much to do.

DS1 would have been open to the idea of a Level 4 apprenticeship, but they don't do them for History.

He has received an email from UCAS notifying him that his school has completed their part of his application and submitted it.

He thinks that most universities will be closing for the holidays now, so he understands that it might be at least a month before he hears anything.

If he gets no offers for History this year, he might reapply next year (hopefully with B grades at A-level) for Politics. The Civil Service do a level 3 apprenticeship, but that might feel like a step back after A-levels.

Well done on the Application being officially in Second.
He must be relieved to have got it in before Christmas - and you never know, some admissions departments might still be working.

Not sure about him, but I am certainly relieved.

Wow that GCHQ thing looks amazing. I'd love to be a spy. I'd be completely rubbish at it though.

We break up next Wednesday. I can't wait. I'm term time too, and it feels like it has been an exceptionally long term. Thankfully, and unusually, we are staying at home. I hope to have days on end when we don't cross the threshold (apart from to walk the DDog).

Dd1/2 are both interested in GCHQ. Dd1 as a linguist and dd2 in Maths or possibly some sort of research/analyst.

I’d love to do it. Can’t without moving though.

I wanted to join the diplomatic service after my post grad PA Diploma. I was so excited as I had all the qualifications. 9 months in London in paid accommodation then your first posting. Hot and cold weather clothing allowance.

I was rejected after the initial application

I blamed my Irish heritage.

I fancy code breaking.

Or proper traditional spy —in an old film— watching people and speaking into secret mics whilst wearing a long coat and dark glasses.

Hey, you fell off my tio again.

Sounds like a lot of progress has been made with applications since I lost you all.

One more school day to go here .

The conversation about quiet accommodation sounds very interesting. If that's available where dd wants to go we may look into that, as she doesn't drink and likes her sleep, so ending up with a load of party animals would be her worst nightmare.

Last day of term here and leaving for Vietnam tomorrow morning.
Ds has received 4 out of 5 offers and he should get an offer from the last one as they sent him a fee status questionnaire to complete.
Warwick is now his number one choice.
Wishing you all a relaxing Christmas break and an opportunity to recharge the batteries as we enter the final 6 months of school.

Dd finished yesterday as the yr 12s are having intensive feedback sessions and the yr 13s would have no lessons.
Ds comes back tomorrow so we are going into full Christmas mode now!

I'm sitting here waiting for the RAC and DS will probably be late for college. It is what it is, it's ten miles to any of the three places that did the combination of subjects he wanted so it's not as if I chose the furthest away. When he enrolled there was a bus every ten minutes that would meet the college bus service, that's gone to one an hour.

I haven't rung to book anything for parent's evening. His attendance is below target. His mocks are below target but I considered it a major achievement that he made it in at all. What can I say? The poor lad lost his dad two months ago, is sleeping badly and is struggling. If he can pick up a C under these conditions then he's done well.

Knitting I think you're both doing incredibly to just keep going.
Your poor DS - I can't even begin to imagine what he's going through.

Icouldbeknitting you and your DS are doing very well to keep going under such difficult and sad circumstances.

As you say Knitting - it is what it is. You're doing bloody well you and your DS - you can only take things as they come. I can't being to imagine how hard things are/have been. As they say up this end "keep your chin up kidda".

Last month DS1 asked me about unconditional offers. I gently explained that with his GCSE results and predicted A-level grades (BBC with the C being in the subject he's applying for), no one would be giving him any unconditional offers.

24h after the school completed their part of his application, he has received an unconditional offer! 😲

It's from his 5th choice, which is a bit of a 'safety' choice in case no one else likes his application, but still very good for his confidence.

Massive hugs knitting. You are absolutely amazing and so is your ds. I can’t imagine how difficult it is.