GCSE '18s (19) - New Beginnings?

[whistl]

Following on from the GCSE 2018 threads as our DC enter year 12.
This the first thread in our new home in further education

@whistl - beginning to think we may be related hahaha

loose which board will that be for Music?

We haven't bought any text books. All supplied by the school. Didn't really ask DD if she wants her own version to write in. With regards to revision guides or workbooks are these things that School has recommended or you have found yourself. I am not even 100% sure what board her a levels are but will ask hers we too bought the obligatory new calculator - but blimey it was expensive.

brainmelt it's Edexcel. Just checked and he has been able to switch and has the catch-up work already!

Eaglefly everything I've bought has been at the school's request. It was her German teacher who suggested that we buy our own if students found it helpful to write notes in their books. (DD was horrified at the idea of writing in a book, which was a great relief as the whole set of textbooks would have been over £80!)

Back on the textbook spending - I’ve clocked up about £80 for DS - and only one of those books covers both years. I was a bit surprised about having to buy textbooks for state sixth form - DS was at an independent from Y8 to 11 and textbook costs were an extra on top of the fees. DS was at a state secondary for a term Y7 - we weren’t asked to buy books then. Are the ‘rules’ different for sixth form?

We avoided the calculator expense though as DS2 had one roughly the same as the £60 we could have bought from the school. (We had the option of a £20 £60 or £80 one.)

DS had an inset day today while nearly 1400 boys sat the entrance test for a Y7 place at the grammar. There are only 120 places!

This evening is DS1's last dinner with us for three months (he goes off to university tomorrow morning). I'm in danger of feeling a bit emotional.

Third

TheThird we are taking DD out for her last meal tonight before taking her back tomorrow, definitely so much easier this time than last year. Christmas isn't that far away and if you don't hear much from him don't worry it means he's having a ball

£52 spent on books so far still using old calculator so also need to buy that.

Another last night here, before a long journey to Swansea tomorrow - for second year starting the following week on the 1st October.

Not sure what we'll be having for supper yet but not sure it's grand enough to be dinner. It's funny isn't it you get suchlittle snapshots of one another's lives here, and probably make all sorts of assumptions from the smallest of descriptions.
Probably will be noodles ( two sorts mixed) with tofu, broccoli, and cashews ( and mixed nuts) - did pop into the Chinese supermarket this afternoon.
Probably will be quite tasty!

Hope DD can sort her packing so all I have to do is driving her there ( wishful thinking! )
She did say she's much more chilled this year as she can always pop back for anything she forgets!
From Wales!

Third good luck to the dcs setting off for uni this weekend!

another last supper here too - curry out with DD2 and bf before she starts tomorrow (v v nervous but excited too). DD1 went back last week. I do get DS back tomorrow for the weekend and then it will all go quite on Monday. Really happy for them all though - but still keeping fingers crossed for them as they start new chapters.

Good luck to all the DC starting university tomorrow (and to all the parents who are saying goodbye for three months). That must be so hard...

and for all dc starting uni. and hugs for the parents. Be proud!

Wish all the DC starting university or going back to university the best for the coming year. And lots of strength to the parents. I have stupidly been reading a Facebook group of university organisation and it's full of parents dropping off kids to uni this week. Have been in tears. Had to snap myself out of it and realise that I still have 2 years before we are at that stage.

Off today to drop mine and it's going to be tough. Although packing the car has been funny - it's like a huge game of Jenga trying to fit it all in. And I have a Zafira ! Leaving my 16 year old DD behind and she's bit upset as she and sister are v close. But she won't fit in car (& has work !).

DD begins excited the day is finally here !

eaglefly DS1 packed the car with what he considered to be the 'essentials'...

Ah DD deems 22 jumpers, 6 coats and 10 pairs of shoes 'essential'. 3 cocktail dresses for various balls. 2 teddy bears. And a whole heap of stuff. V glad we paid for the holidays as not carting this lot home more than once !

Dd appears to have forgotten our existence!

That’s tough Alex but I would guess is a good thing ?

It's a good thing Alex (so they tell me). Means they are having far too much fun. As it should be. But boy it's going to be hard.

I’m a little miffed actually. She FaceTimed very briefly on Monday to ask for money for extra private singing and lamda lessons. We told her that with our drop in income we couldn’t afford both.

I then texted her the next day to tell her that her grandparents had offered to pay. No reply. She messaged dh to say she was going to FaceTime Thursday night, the only night she knows I’m not taking ds somewhere but she never did!

Meanwhile her grandad wants to know if she was pleased (a thank you maybe).

It’s tough but I do remember being at university in my first year, playing a competitive sport and being totally wrapped up in my own world there. It is a bit like a bubble and the time passes by without realising it. Also DD2 and DS when boarding had so many things going on and so many last minute requests and things arranged last minute (just because they are there and available) that while it’s no excuse it is understandable

AH message her again and ask her to call. Then tell her when she calls that she owes her DGF a thank you, and that growing up means remembering the impact we have on others.

third ouch I may go through this in a couple of years and I know I will be a total mess.

May the force be with all the uni starters.

loose Pity, no snap, DS is doing AQA...