Year 12 #2: Carols, commutes & a few stocking fillers

[Stickerrocks]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3410431-year-12-1-gcses-are-sooo-last-year

whistl Another .gov link for your EU friend www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/when-to-apply

It would appear her DH currently in the UK should apply for some kind of settlement status (you didn't say how long he had been working here) which will make it easier for her to apply to join him. They don't half make it complicated!

Oratory I think your DS will be facing exactly the same entry process for some schemes as the grads will 3 years later. They certainly do in my profession.

I think your right Sticker. And not sure how he will perform. He is quite personable but only in situations he feels comfortable in as quite shy too. And can come accross as very hesitant as he often can’t find the words he needs to answer even the simplest of questions. If interviewers are willing to wait 10 minutes for an answer he may do ok 😂. In team/group situations he would not push himself forward but may contribute if he feels comfortable in the group and/or he s so frustrated they’re not getting anywhere he feels the need to step in. We will see. I guess there s not much we can do to prepare other than familiarisation with what may be coming up.

Whistl best of luck to your friend - this is such a complex situation at the moment and I don't envy her trying to make the decision.
Parents' evening tonight and I hope it's reassuring for DS who has got himself a bit stressed about mocks next week - the reality of four A levels has definitely started to bite. We're at the see how the mocks go and then decide if you want to drop one of them stage!

Oratory does his school have a careers service which may be able to help? I've previously been involved in "speed dating" events for year 11s, where we have done a series of mini interviews, 5 minutes each, with the students to help them build confidence and think on their feet.

They do have some sessions at the end of year 12 with cv/ps writing and interview practise. It’s probably geared towards uni interviews but better than nothing. He s probably heading for assessment day type events rather than traditional interview - but actually that may suit him better. It would be a shame if he s not able to get his ideas accross due to not being given time to verbalise them but not much we can do about that other than help him practise - I’m guessing you can’t claim extra time for interviews 😂😂😂😂

Any other ideas gratefully received thanks Sticker.

Thanks for all the advice and links. Given what happened last night - the huge defeat in parliament - it looks like things could go either way (leave with no deal or remain forever).
So, maybe it is best to play safe and just move here in the next 10 weeks when she can come as an EU citizen without reference to her DH and stay for the rest of her life, if she wants.

(She comes from a country that was under communist control so she knows a thing or two about how life-draining bureaucracy can be!)

I've always found the ones who say at the beginning of an interview that they haven't had much practice and may need a minute to think about their answer usually come across very well. The ones who plunge in, say the first thing that comes into their head and obviously haven't listened to a word you say don't get the role.

I would also get him to do some research into typical interview questions for apprentices and make notes on what he would say to each. What do you think the job involves? What do you know about this company? What did you do to prepare for this interview? etc

Thanks Sticker

You dropped off my thread!

Been having issues at school with ds. He will not be repeating dds glowing results it appears. In fact apart from maths and music he appears to be getting 1 question out of 30 in tests.

Glowing parents evening for dd. She’s working hard towards model United Nations trip. Just needs to make sure she actually answers the question in English Lit essays rather than veering off on a philosophical tangent.

She is going to be taking AS Level in RS/Philosophy to gauge her level as it’s not been done before.

Alexander DS struggled a bit initially with philosophy because he was trying to answer the questions the way he does in English but he soon got the hang of it and really enjoys it!
Parents' evening was good - the only downside is starting to get behind with work for music but there is an opportunity to catch up at the end of next week so we'll see how things look then.

We have our Higher Education Evening in a couple of weeks where apparently some RG unis are coming in to recruit chat to parents and students.

Interesting Loose. Seems dd is the opposite then answering English questions as though its philosophy!

Its AH here. Decided on a name change as its now exactly two years yesterday since our excitment at getting Hamilton tickets!

My username is still on a theme but apologies to anyone it might confuse. (its our February half term trip.)

Ooh want to see that too

Dropped off my threads too!

Have been very preoccupied with dh's mother who is very frail and has been in and out of hospital - also finishing my final weeks at work.

Interesting discussion re local uni's - we have a local one that heavily promotes itself with local schools. It has a good reputation for some niche subjects but we won't be encouraging ds to look at it - luckily his top choices are all within a 2 hr drive anyway.

There is careers day for Year 12's today to get them all started thinking about thier personal statements and what they want for the future. I hope this is followed by an info evening for parents so we are clear of process, timelines, how to apply for Aptitude tests etc.

Ds has finally got a job in a pub kitchen, 2 x 4hr shifts so hopefully manageable with homework etc. He sis his first shift last night and I swear came home more grown up that when he left the house!

Dd wanted Waitress and ds wanted Curious Incident but I was insistent that this year we are going to Newfoundland! (not literally for those who don't follow musicals, its a show)

That has reminded me that when I was DS2's age (end of Y12) I went on a school trip to Newfoundland (the actual island in Canada).

Did you land at Gander airport?

I think it was St Johns

The whole trip was four weeks long. We spent some of that time in Gros Morne National Park.

We spent a few days in a village on the west coast and the people were friendly and welcoming

Feeling a bit quiet here - all DC returned and DS more and more independent and wanting my advice/input less and less.

Just have to keep telling myself that’s a good thing and boring is good after a few roller coaster years 😀 Do miss him tho

Excellent (but slightly scary) University Applications Information meeting last night. Half way through I realised I was sitting in exactly the same seat as I sat in for the Open Day talk 6 years ago! I was convinced he wouldn’t get in then, so maybe it’s a good omen!

It is a good thing, Oratory. Empty nest isn’t fun though.

Deja vu, Kingscote!

Parent’s evening went really well. Computing and chemistry were as expected, he’s doing OK but needs to write more! More detail and using the correct terminology.

Maths and FM was just lovely. They were so nice about him. Apparently his enthusiasm and humour make the lessons more fun for the others and they are really impressed with his maths. They were talking about Oxbridge. I think they’re deluded as his GCSEs aren’t that good and his 3rd subject, whether that’s computing or chemistry will let him down. But it was lovely to hear that they are so obviously impressed with him in maths. I’ve come home with a nice happy glow.