Thread 29 - Covid Cohort - Whirlwinds and Waiting

[OrangeCinnamonCroissant]

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 threads 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 will continue.

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.

previous thread 28

@Shimy do you still have a beetamax instead? :-)

The Martin Lewis Money Show Live at 8.30pm tonight talks about the changes to student loans from 2023 entry.
Tomorrow's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live is a must-watch student finance special filled with crucial info + news of possible BIG changes.🧑‍🎓🆕

[quote Heifer]@Shimy do you still have a beetamax instead? :-)

The Martin Lewis Money Show Live at 8.30pm tonight talks about the changes to student loans from 2023 entry.
Tomorrow's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live is a must-watch student finance special filled with crucial info + news of possible BIG changes.🧑‍🎓🆕[/quote]
ignore where it says tomorrow, I've cut and pasted info from yesterday - it's definitely on tonight

@OrangeCinnamonCroissant one giveaway on the state of finances is how much the shop can take in a transaction on Google/Apple Pay. When Peacocks were in trouble a year or so back I tried to pay for about £40 worth of clothes that way and was told they could only take up to the normal contactless limit, its much higher for G/A pay. If she knows that it might be a clue.

Also chuckling at Heifer's VHS.
We stopped at M42 services on our interminable journey home from Nottingham yesterday - thought as we weren't moving there might as well be shops. I went to WHSmith to buy CDs for the car to cheer us up and they don't sell them any more! I felt ancient and as though I was driving a classic car.

Welcome TWAT

Singing how was Nottingham?
Loving Heifers VHS

Orange the 6th is worrying because are they trying to pay her in the new tax year, ie Mth 1 of 22-23, rather than in the old - Mth 12 of 21-22? Could be dodgey?

@Oblomov22

Orange the 6th is worrying because are they trying to pay her in the new tax year, ie Mth 1 of 22-23, rather than in the old - Mth 12 of 21-22? Could be dodgey?

Yes, I think so. I've told her to look for something more local anyhow as she could do without sitting at cold train stations this term.

You are so right @ealingwestmum the independence is really good for them, she has matured so much because of it. I think she just feels a bit taken advantage of at mo there so she fixates on the rubbish pay.

They arrived at Cardiff and are staying at a Citrus hotel ready for a packed day tomorrow. Thanks for the good vibes all!

Me and the dog are going to watch Married at First Sight Australia without judgement tonight.

[quote ExtremelyDelighted]@OrangeCinnamonCroissant one giveaway on the state of finances is how much the shop can take in a transaction on Google/Apple Pay. When Peacocks were in trouble a year or so back I tried to pay for about £40 worth of clothes that way and was told they could only take up to the normal contactless limit, its much higher for G/A pay. If she knows that it might be a clue.[/quote]
Thanks ED I asked her and is still £100 but one to keep an eye on. You might know the shop !

Ds1 and all casual staff were let go by sainsbury, after a year.

He then got a job at Screwfix , who have been utterly fabulous. have just announced their biggest ever inflationary increase of 5.4%.

They also just told him they'll arrange a transfer to any uni city branch he wants, Durham, Nottingham (if he gets his PwC place) or Southampton. And they'll take him back, for all holidays. Now that's impressive.

Thanks @oblomov22 there is one 5mins walk away!

I managed to complete Quordle for the first time ever today.

Good luck to your DD, Orange! Thankfully, the weather is much better than this time last week, so at least she’ll get there and back in one piece.

me too @Oblomov22.. Does that mean it was easier or are we just getting better :-)

Re VHS - I've taken years to stop saying I've taped something rather than recorded. I hardly ever watch anything live anymore, thank goodness for skyQ series link. I often up just deleted stuff I never got around to watching though.

Re working, DD has this week worked for a swimming coach. She has loved it - I've been trying to get her to do it for years and although agreed she might like to never did anything about it. Luckily someone asked if she was available for half term so she has worked 1.5 hrs in the morning all week. She has no idea what the salary is though and won't get paid until the end of March as they have already done febs apparently. I think she is in for a shock as we pay her £10ph when she works with her Dad (not that often). But at least she's doing it any enjoying it. They've asked her to work every Sat & Wed and she has agreed to Wednesday as won't give up her Saturdays due to hockey. She is talking about taking her coaching badge so she can get more work in the future.

@Oblomov22 that is great news re screfix, really shows some other companies up.

Thanks @OrangeCinnamonCroissant

Ds1 phoned just as Martin Lewis came on. He never calls on the house phone, so I knew something was wrong. He'd been out collecting his mice droppings for his dissertation, got soaked through, put his clothes all in the washing machine including his mobile phone. The screen and camera lenses are smashed, it won't turn on either. I couldn't tell him I want to watch Martin Lewis. So I had to miss it. I'll watch it on catch up.

Dh still says he will tape or video stuff. He also calls the radio a wireless and a car is called a motor. Oh and bicycles are push bikes. He's an old man though.

Heifer, she may be pleasantly surprised when she gets paid! DD gets £11 per hour for lifeguarding, and has her Level 1 (there are 3 Swim England) which is like a swim assistant to a coach, earnings can be between £8 - £15 depending on employer. And great for summer work, home or overseas.

Courses are run by Swim England (or which ever home country), normally mixture of online/pool work if she’s interested.

Wow this thread moves quickly! Thanks for the new one.

I've said push bike a few times and DS just looks at me, but it does differentiate from a motor bike!

An employer like Screwfix puts some faith back into there are decent employers of students Oblomov. Good for your DS.

Re VHS, a couple of years ago my goddaughter asked for New Look vouchers for her birthday, I went into the shop and asked if they did gift vouchers. The assistant looked at me quizzically for a few seconds and eventually said, "oh, you mean giftcards". Yep, I'm that old.

@icanbewhatiwant what does your DS do that he has to collect mouse droppings for his dissertation?

Thanks so much for the new thread and the lovely list. I love it being on page 1.
So sorry for your poor boy @icanbewhatiwant, that is totally crap.
Ours has no driving licence, she also had her money returned by DVLA. I don’t think now is a good time to start with it either, there’s enough stress flying about.
Welcome to @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango. It’s good here. Jealous that you have firmed. We are still waiting for Exeter and we are going through the hoops of the Cambridge foundation year, even more tortuous than the standard process. Should know in April. But we have managed to keep that as an interesting process rather than the key to unlock a miracle, so not too terrible. Wherever we all think they are going, I’m fairly sure August will be full of surprises.And there will be this thread, to hold our hands and cheer and commiserate and instantly conjure quality info on courses and institutions, and make it all ok. Honestly, it’s a lifeline.