Thread 25 - Covid Cohort - Christmas Trees, No Omicron Please!

[OrangeCinnamonCocktail]

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to posts about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this goodwill continues.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided, for anyone interested, they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

Orange Cinnamon (Head Monitor )
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@ealingwestmum fingers crossed for your mum coming.

Seems everyone is coming down with covid at the moment, I just waiting for it to hit here again

The news on Jan school shut down makes me rage and cry at the same time. I am so done with this. DS hasn't sat any mocks yet, due to start in Jan (of course). Last school closure his Biology went to pot because he found it difficult to engage without being in the classroom. I'm hoping they at least keep exam years in.

In nice news DS1 bought DS2 a ticket to see Spiderman for last night. They went together (unheard of!) and loved it but came home around 11pm so were a bit tired getting up for school this morning.

@DoggerelBank I concur with the ops who said winging it was a vital life skill. It is often also a crowd pleaser. Fingers crossed for him!

DS has got a zoom interview for Southampton and the email says they may make a verbal offer at the end of the interview. He is going to schedule it in the next few days

@JustHereWithMyPopcorn my 2 DSs became friends during the first lock down after years of DS1 tolerating DS2. It is lovely when it happens!

@Alsoplayspiccolo that’s is fantastic news, what a relief for you!
And great re ucas as well 👍

Now that's a great Christmas present Piccolo. And so deserved after the bursar behaving like such an arse. What a relief for you all.

Great news alsoplayspiccolo - in your face, bursar .

The thought of schools remaining closed in January terrifies me as lockdown was the main driver in dd2's eating disorder last year. She is so much better now, but I'm worried that she might relapse without the many goals and distractions offered by school/hobbies/social life.

@Monkey2001 That's good news about no pre xmas grades being used. I hadn't twigged that in my stress induced worry.

@crazycrofter - If the kids get told, then that would be good. Agree its not the same as the terrible algorithm year but I still rather worry.

@Alsoplayspiccolo Hurray - well done!!

No pre xmas grades? erk thats a bugger. DS last mocks were much better than normal. Its all on the Jan ones then.

@Alsoplayspiccolo fantastic news on the bursary!

@Monkey2001 yes it was lovely to see them walk off together into the cinema and both come back buzzing about it, normally DS1 wouldn't be seen anywhere near little brother!!

No I think the gov specifically asked them to do one lot of mocks each term in year 13 so there’s enough evidence - but some schools are saying they won’t use pre Christmas mocks. I think it’s for the schools to decide how many mocks they set and how they weight them.

Great news @Alsoplayspiccolo, just in time for Christmas!

But the kids should be told if assessments may count - I definitely read that in the guidelines.

Any news from @DoggerelBank? How did we do with the power of positive thinking?!

That's brilliant about the bursary @Alsoplayspiccolo

DS has re-read his references one last time and agreed for the send button to be pressed.

I am still waiting for my PCR. DD's came back negative about an hour ago so she's gone out. She's a huge Marvel fan and so is DH so they've got Spiderman booked for Sunday.

DS will be devastated if schools close again

Thank you, Mumsnet. The positive thinking triumphed again! At the end of it, teacher said he was on track for at least an A, with a few more hours' work on a second draft.
So glad @Alsoplayspiccolo has triumphed in bursary battle, too. What a fantastic Christmas present!
@JustHereWithMyPopcorn, long may their new-found friendship last. We have 3, and the minute 2 of them are getting on, the 3rd feels excluded. We've had a very peaceful term of 2 at home, and there's definitely some trepidation about the atmosphere when the absent one comes home for Christmas tomorrow.

That is fantastic @DoggerelBank, he will go far in life if he can pull it out of the bag and get top marks!

The Man U game has been cancelled. I'm pleased in a way. Hopefully the cousin will let Ds go to another game. The cousin has 2 season tickets.

Our letter from school said they will have small exams starting jan. that will be used in the event of no A levels. I think Ds can do better than his current attainment, so not sure if he will get chance to show that.

Apologies as I've not posted much this week - busy at work - but reading all the updates @DoggerelBank: great winging it that boy and excellent news that the bursar is back in his place @Alsoplayspiccolo! Good luck to everyone waiting for PCR results/caring for sickly kids.

We've not booked Spiderman but you're tempting me now!

We do have a very, VERY low key drinks thing planned here for Saturday: really debating whether to cancel - we've invited only 3 families - and then another one coming later to spread out the exposure - and had already made it very 'if you feel comfortable' only. But I am debating whether I should pull it. It'll make me sad though! I can't quite get my head around everything going back into lockdown again just before Christmas. I think I'm in denial a bit....

@DoggerelBank fantastic about the EPQ, that's pretty amazing for such a last minute rush, clearly he performs well under pressure - they don't worry about the stress it puts on us though!

I don't know how you cope with three of them and their friendships - two is bad enough! My poor mum had six of us to deal with, can you imagine the stress??

Piccolo Whoop! Bursar should have done his homework. Well done.

To those waiting for PCRs everything crossed for a negative so relatives can be with you. And smooth travel for your mother @ealingwestmum

Term finished today. DS is currently with friends at Spiderman. Mocks are in Feb so a decent amount of downtime is in order over Christmas.

@DoggerelBank Excellent EPQ outcome! Winging it? I think you mean agile thinking.

Thanks, guys! I cannot tell you what a relief it is to know we don’t have to move him (unless he chooses to go to the specialist school).

We’ve had even MORE good news this afternoon (it’s shaping up to be the best week for a VERY long time) - DS’s audition for NYOW was successful. Really pleased for him because he’s had a tough year, musically, and at 15, was auditioning against undergrads and postgrads.

Your DS sounds amazing, Doggerel - amazing to pull off an A at the 11th hour! Doesn’t do parents’ nerves any good, but he clearly knows how he works best.

Wow, lots of success going around - @DoggerelBank your ds will go far! @Alsoplayspiccolo well done to your ds, I had to google the letters - brilliant! Remind me what he plays?

Dd has just had an ABB offer from York for the masters so she’s pretty chuffed.

Well done to your DS @DoggerelBank and @Alsoplayspiccolo 😀

I have been feeling a bit off recently. Not got any symptoms or anything like that. Just a general feeling of impending doom. Don’t know why I feel like this.