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

We're getting closer to thread 20, which, after reading all these posts, could be called "Learning to Fly". That applies to us and them.

Shalom so true - I can't imagine how exhausting this is al going to be. Where were you today?

Stick that's a good title and very apt

In Y12 news, DH has taken DS2 to New Scientist Live today. The tickets are quite expensive but DS2 loved it last year and was very keen to go again this year. He has just persuaded DH to pay for a year's subscription to New Scientist magazine, as they had a special offer for delegates.

We had a Year 12 parents’ Open Morning on Saturday. Heads of each department gave half hour presentations about the courses, explained how the spec is scheduled to be taught and how the exams are structured. Truly inspiring - so many parents coming out wishing they could take the courses too.

I definitely picked up the feeling ( as on this thread) that the boys were all feeling enthusiastic about their chosen subjects!

My glow of positivity almost lasted through watching his rugby match in the rain...

They may bump in to DH and DD1 then 😀. And we got her a subscription for new scientist for 17 th birthday a few years ago - I think it does get read. DS on the other hand showed zero interest in goung when offered and would see reading a publication as torture - I do worry a bit that he will struggle to show interest in a chosen subject - hopefully there s still time. And he has spent most of the afternoon so far on homework so won’t complain 😀

We were in Durham. Not sure about it. Thought I would love it. Can't put my finger on why I didn't! Maybe when we have seen some others I will change my mind.

Maybe I am spoilt living where I do!

Durham will be one of the ones we will prob go see next year but I know it is hyped up quite a bit. Have only managed local ones so far.

Sorry didn't mean for that to come across bad. I meant it's meant to be good but I have no experience of it.

DC at new scientist live too today and really loved it.

Evening all. Haven't been on for a while as I have had a lot to do and sort out but health on the up and up and hope everyone is well and those not I wish a speedy recovery
Well 6th form going well for dgd after initial nerves and hiccups thank goodness. Think absence of friendship group ( only one friend in same 6 th form) had a lot to do with it but they are meeting up next weekend in the city for catch up time so all well. They have all kept in contact and all missing each other but new friends being made and the first glimmer of interest in the opposite sex! All subjects being enjoyed and initial assessments in all 4 bringing 4 As which is great! If she keeps that up we will be well pleased! She is enjoying harder work. She has joined debating society and will soon attend first uni open day with some others. Hope all is going well for our not so little s and I will pop in from time to time ( still a lit of hospital appointments etc) so take care all till then!

Lovely to hear from you sostenuto

Hi Sost lovely to hear your news.

From the BTec front DD has 4 assignments due in at the end of next month. Quite a lot to do and of course the marks will count towards final grades so no time for slacking! (Not implying A level students have time for slacking. Have already been there with other DC.)

She is still loving the college and her course. The handouts in lectures are very high quality, like mini chapters with tables to fill in etc. Little copying off the board so ĺessons are much less stressful.

College more relaxed than school but also strict on lateness which seems to suit her. Fingers crossed

Good to hear from you Sost and glad all is well with you and DGD.

Pleased to hear that, Peggy, because colleges can be a bit variable. (As can schools.) DS2 had a great teacher/tutor in Y12 but he retired and the replacement wasn't so good. They definitely need to hit the ground running in BTEC. DS2 actually did better in Y12 than in Y13! HNC now started with a hopefully decent lecturer/tutor.

DS3 still happy at sixth form. No sign of meeting up outside school yet, though.

Sost I'm still on the look out for those BTS tickets. They are currently available for £990 each!

Lovely to hear from you Sostenueto! It sounds like dgd has settled in really well. I hope you don't have to have too many more appointments but it's so good to know you're on the mend.
DS has taken a group of friends with him to the new sixth form and made a lot of new ones so I think he's really settled. He claims he's already caught up on the missed music work.

As I had hoped the house friendships seem to be cementing for DS but again no wish to meet outside school - I think some dc (mainly but not exclusively boys) just don’t.

Good to hear from you Sost glad your health is looking up and DGD is doing well.

DD had a couple of wobbles at dance this week and a terrible dance competition. She's had her first ever minor fall out with best friend too (who is not only at dance but also at school) so a tough few days, however they were talking at the dance competition yesterday so hope will all sort itself out.

I asked her what was the best thing out of dance, school and work at the moment, she said school. She hasn't said that for five years so new school is clearly working.

Great news over school jufus. Could it just be overtired ? Nervous energy of results and new school can be very draining. I think when they’re enjoying their subjects they put more in to it rather than ‘switching off’ In half the lessons - and when DD2 started new sixth form she just wanted to try everything so was exhausted - she loved it but we and close friend did take some fall out at weekends !!!

It must be exhausting doing so many new things - there's bound to be some dips.
On the upside, DS had double music today and loves it! On the downside he took the wrong English homework in today. Sigh.

Gosh sticker! Soon be a £1000 for a ticket for bts! We have got on order bts trainers at £100 as one of dgds Xmas presses and they should be here in three weeks. You all know what bad luck I've had but nothing beats last week! For a starters there was a hiccup with new car not being divered. Then it was finally delivered on Thursday which was great! But on Monday ( when I should have had new car) I was sitting having a coffee, knock on door neighbour informs me new car just been hit by bloody great jag( who drove off but luckily I had a witness and knew it was a neighbours car) and half the car is damaged! And a flat to boot! Now I was lucky it was not my new car but as I lease my cars I was wondering wtf I would do handing in half a car! but all was sorted though it took a few days to sort. At end of my lease I get a little bit of money back if car is handed back in pristine condition, usually half of deposit on next leased car. Well, I wasn't holding out I would get any money back for handing back only half a car! But got home today to letter saying thank you for pristine car and here's a cheque to spend on what you like.....think whoever assessed the car needs to go to specsavers!

P.s it was old car got hit not new car! Can't see properly for laughing at letter!

Oh my goodness. Perhaps the owner of the Jag left bits of their car embedded in your old car and the parts they left behind were worth more than the damaged bits! Bank that cheque very, very quickly, then plead ill health if they come back later and query it and asking them to put any questions in writing.

I imagine there will be a dramatic drop in prices for BTS over the next few days as I don't imagine many touts will risk not getting their original money back and the concerts are on 9&10 October. I'm trying to remember who had the lucky DD who managed to get the gold dust tickets.

Gosh, Sost! Reminds me of the time my ex's really old scrap heap that was only insured third party, fire and theft, caught fire and was destroyed. We got £700 for it! Excuse my ignorance, who are BTS? Sorry for no paragraphs, my phone has suddenly stopped allowing them.

Kpop group janet and very annoying! As new car is all singing and dancing no need to plug in iPods just Bluetooth music straight through car so dgd can have it on full blast ugh! And now she's told dgs who blue toothed his music on this afternoon and I had to listen to heavy metal!

That post was for ellen.