Year 13 2023/2024 - General support thread

[Rollergirl11]

It’s now the time for our young adults to sit their final year at sixth form/college. Everyone is welcome!

It's such a long term isn't it, always such a slog. I was intrigued by the news that Wales is considering reducing summer hols to 5 weeks and having 2 weeks off in October, seems sensible to me. They are thinking of taking another week off the summer hols eventually.

@stoneysongs it makes sense to have a two-week break in what is otherwise a 14/15 week autumn term. Quite a lot of private schools do it already, I believe.

Yes, I think so. I think the teaching unions are pretty anti but it makes sense for the students and especially for families who struggle with costs of childcare over the summer, or without fsm for such a big chunk.

A 2 week October half term seems to be the norm in Scotland already - or at least it is in the parts where I have friends and relatives. I think it's quite a good idea.

Scotland starts the autumn term earlier don’t they - around mid August? Going all the way through to Christmas without a longer break would be really hard work.

That's true, I hadn't thought of that. Though I think the Scottish holidays are more sensible in general - at least for those of us in the North of England. It may be different in more southerly climes but here most years we seem to have lovely weather more or less until schools break up and then it rains non stop through to the start of September when it brightens up again.
DS is really looking forward to finishing school early this year and being able to spend some time in the great outdoors in decent weather, though I'm torn between enjoying (hopefully!) decent weather at home and having a family holiday abroad before the schools break up. Though right now I am researching a possible big holiday for just DH and I in the Autumn, officially to celebrate us no longer being tied to school holidays but really to take my mind off the impending Empty Nest!

That's exactly what we're planning @MrsAvocet - we won't be tied into school holidays once the exams finish. I can't wait to go to Europe when it's cooler, quieter and cheaper!

Update. Interview went well. Chap was pleasantly surprised to see DS in a suit. It’s a front of house hotel job so we thought appropriate. He’s offered DS some trial paid hours over December if can make it work with current job to see if DS likes the hotel and would want to start in May next year. What a great idea. Even if it doesn’t materialise into a job it’s a cracking bit of work experience for his CV

i think we are notching this up to a win this week !

We booked our big trip next October yesteday for the start of October so avoiding school holidays WITHOUT DS!!!

While at this age, two weeks holiday in October would seem a great idea, as the first term really does feel too long - I remember the days when I needed to find childcare during holidays, and the half terms were always the worst. At least with the summer, there were usually exciting day camps that could be used to cover most of the summer holidays (except the last week, which is when we always scheduled our family holiday, as the summar programmes had generally finished). Having an extra week in October to cover would have compounded the nightmare. And I doubt most of the day camps we did would have shifted their activities to October. Many of them centred on sports or other activities that used the outside - you are so much more restricted when it is cold and wet and gets dark early. You need a lot more space to run a day camp (and more creativity, to keep children that age amused and not running riot when your outside options are limited).
So in fairness to my younger self, I don't think I would vote for a second week in October (unless it could be for secondary school only).

I know what you mean @Naem - our youngest is well beyond childcare now but looking back I don't know how we did it really.

I think the reasoning is more about helping people who struggle to budget for a big chunk of childcare in the summer, or who rely on free school meals. I'm sure if there were a market for more clubs etc at half term they would soon pop up.

Great news @NeverForgetYourDreams that sounds like a fantastic opportunity for DS.

I agree that this term always seems soooooo long; I remember back in primary school I swear my children were sleepwalking through the day with exhaustion by the time it go to the end of term.

My DD submitted her UCAS form yesterday - she now has to book in an appointment with the head of sixth form to go through final checks, and then it will be out in the wild. Think she's glad to have this step finally completed.

DDs UCAS has been sent by school!!! 🥂🍾🎉

Poor kid is on her knees. Final parents evening ever for us next week means the tests have reached epic proportions this week. On top of NEA and UCAS this month, and an especially nasty period, the poor thing is utterly shattered.

Going to be limping til the end of term. I’d say it’s great she has 3 weeks off (state) but mocks literally start the day they get back in January. She has promised herself 24-26th Dec off anyway.

This term has been very full on for DD though DD is full on every term but yes it's a long term and darkness doesn't help.

DD has offer in from Oxford E&M today which is great, only 18% interviewed, it was first day of interview offers, well a rejection came out at 5pm last night so possibly other colleges did a day earlier but someone else from same college not heard so looked like rejections came first for that college. Probably only by a day and as was late. But think it means if not heard you are still in the game. Good luck to anyone waiting.

We are off to an open day tomorrow.... Alas DS announced yesterday that he doesn't see the point in university so I'm not sure what we're doing on the train right now. Hey ho.

How did it go @Rainsdropskeepfalling?

@mondaytosunday thank you for asking! I'm feeling like a fish out of water here (I'm a PhD in stem, DS1 is stronger in science than I ever was but his passion is creative arts).

He loved it. Talked about writing his personal statement on the train back. Emailed his tutor immediately after the open day as his college deadline for UCAS paperwork has already passed (he now wants to put in a deferred application).

That was a worthwhile trip!

@Silkierabbit what fantastic news! Your DD must be very happy.

@Rainsdropskeepfalling that sounds good.

So DS's UCAS form has finally been submitted (need a drumroll) & he spent most of the weekend doing the NEA so it feels like progress at last. I think he will be working 3 shifts a week at the restaurant through to Christmas- too much really during term time but he is keen to earn. Hopefully he can balance it with relaxation & revision over the Christmas break!

DS has part of his NEA for PE tomorrow (analysis and evaluation of a performance. ) He should be fine. PE is his strongest subject, he's well prepared, and if talking was a sport he would be in the Olympics for sure so I'm sure that he will give a good account of himself. So there is absolutely no reason why I am lying here awake at 1am is there?!🙄

We all want the best for them @MrsAvocet so it's natural to be a bit fretful. I am a bit on edge too this week as ds has an interview on Monday for a uni course. Your son sounds like he'll do very well so best of luck to him and others waiting for offers.

DS is back, and says his assessment was "fine". He was a bit thrown though, having been told that the clip he would have to analyse would be of players of "about your standard" as it was in fact a senior women's international! Anyway, done now and he seems reasonably happy. One job ticked off at least.
Best of luck to everyone with assessments of any kind or interviews coming up.

Thanks Lego Glad your UCAS is in now and hope you get offers through soon. DD is super excited about Oxford, though still awaiting exact date but will be end of next week. She has a pre interview workshop you log on for tomorrow but that's very easy.

Hope interview goes well on Monday Light

Glad it went well MrsA

@MrsAvocet have they analysed the women’s game before? Seems a bit odd otherwise as there must be clear differences. Good he feels ok with it.

All the best to those with interviews upcoming.

DD has 3/4 offers back so far - surprised it’s been so fast, within a week. All at advertised entry requirements.

In an effort to fill the last slot we have a final visit today which I have taken a days leave to take her to. It’s a Marmite one so I’m not super hopeful!

DS has been told today the course will finish end of March and he’s then done!

the hotel have come back and said maybe start part time next year instead of his current job. But maybe he could start full time as early as April !

it’s all becoming real now …!