BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

[BTECnewbie]

Hello all. My DS will hopefully be starting a level 3 extended diploma in September (assuming he gets the grades). I know very little about BTECs having come through the A level route myself. So I’d love to have a support thread for parents of kids taking vocational qualifications this year.

The good thing is DD has started baking again so that will be good in the run up week.
Then some walks out daily or visits to family should help.
And there is lego and a puzzle in her Christmas presents and a new switch game, hopefully that will help.

@Sisublondie
Thank you x
I'm trying to walk and do my exercises. I think its age! 😬
Quite a few of my family have needed tonsillectomies, including dd2.
But you have to have had at least 7 infections in a year to go on the
op list.
Poor you! My brother had his out at the same age as you...very grim ☹️
Hoping dd1s ok as its her graduation this week 😬

Poor dd1 is quite ill - been to ooh dr and she's got some antibiotics ☹️
Hoping she can make her graduation on Thursday ☹️

@swampwitch0

Oh no! I didn’t realise it’s her graduation! 👩‍🎓 How exciting!….. but!….. how nerve racking to get her healthy in time!! Hopefully the antibiotics will kick right in straight away…. And she’ll be sufficiently better to at least attend …. But, how awful to be thinking like that! 🤞🙏🤞that she bounces back really, really swiftly!!!! I’m sending all the positive vibes I can! What are the plans, for you all to attend? ( limited number of tickets?).

Ahh, so poor DD2 has had tonsillectomy?! I didn’t realise it’s a hereditary thing… eek. Was she a lot younger? Obviously suffered too. Crikey, 7 infections a year is extremely grim! That’s horrid.

Your poor brother! Well, you’ll no doubt know you have to eat dry toast or crisps before you can get the nice cream or jelly, post op?! To “ slough” off scabby bits, essentially?! Well!, I know someone whose son had them out at my/your bro’s age….. and she said he WAS one of the teeny percentage where he did not eat enough of the dry stuff!! And it bled a lot! 🙀😹..

Well, I hope the weather improves, for your walking, and good luck with the exercising, too! Ah yes, we are sadly no longer in our 20’s!! 🤦‍♀️

I hope you get the certificates sorted soon- and the final placement !

Well done on getting plans/ ideas set in place for the holidays……. your DD certainly sounds like with her baking sessions in the run up, and new Switch and puzzles, that she will have fun stuff to do, to keep busy 😸🎄!

@swampwitch0… How is DD1 feeling? Sending positive thoughts! 🤗

Pretty dreadful but here o2 sats are ok (asthmatic) so thats positive
Thanks for asking x
Just hoping we don't all succumb! 😬
Dd2s project mates still haven't done their part of the group project 🙄
She's really cross - understandably

@swampwitch0..

Oh, that’s reassuring as to her sats!, but, not so as to still feeling wretched…. Is her throat like razors and all the associated tonsil horror?? And, oh, totally! Hopefully you’ll successfully dodge the lurgy, too! Is it a case of trying to get her as much rest to mend ahead of Thursday? The graduation far? ? Am I right that she’s at uni near you?).

Hopefully DD’s teachers are aware of what’s going on, as that must be annoying the hell out of you both. I’m sure they are, lazy idiots like that will surely be getting noticed!

DS came home from college in such a good mood, they think I’ll mention the GCSE Cert tomorrow!

I hope your pain is ok today, and that you all get some excellent 💤 and getting-well-soon rest! 🤗x

Glad ds is in a good mood! ☺️
Yes, graduation is fairly local (next county) so 🤞
Dd2 did ask to change groups but was told no, so the teacher is aware

Well, dd2 definitely not going into college today...she has flu ☹️
Not sure who is going to graduation tomorrow...dh or I will need to stay at home

@swampwitch0

Oh! You couldn’t make it up…. My godmother has been badly injured in the storm winds yesterday, and is not in a good way in hospital ….

You are kidding!, so, DD2 was off today??! Oh, does she have that hideous strain of flu on the news?? You truly are having an utter nightmare, I’m so sorry. 😢
But, how is DD1 now? Is she even up to going tomorrow?! That’s INSANE they said you can’t change groups, especially now that it looks like one of you has to stay with poorly DD2! What can you do?? Is there anyone close enough by that can nurse duty?!

Sending huge 🤗 💕x

I'm really sorry to hear about your GM @Sisublondie☹️
How awful.
Puts my woes into perspective!
Dd2 is just going to the ceremony with her bf and either me or dh tomorrow. Celebration meal cancelled.
Dd1 won't be in college for the rest of the week...
I think it's flu, covid tests were negative.
Only one more week of term!
How is everyone feeling about the first term of BTEC?

@swampwitch0….. I have got myself confused re the groups……. eek! 😳… sorry!! DD2’s teamwork groups can’t be swapped?!… that is also insane!!! The only positive, I guess, is that she has thankfully brought if to their attention ( hoping they were also aware, but just in case).

That reminds me of the crazy attitude DS’s school had in Yr 7 when they kept him in the same “ Covid Bubble” with his bully, making him truly break…… 🤯..

I really hope DD1 wakes feeling better than she has been, and that someone else is able to look after DD2 ( I say that, tho, knowing I wouldn’t have back up, as overseas in- laws etc, but I’m hoping you do)…. 🤞🙏💕..

@swampwitch0

Thank you!, it’s funny as twin ( lives aboard) and I were trying to work out logistics for travel to mine over holidays, then getting ooop north on NY day for Mum’s results on Jan 2 (I want to see boys on NY as DS19 will be home), and anyway saw the very sad news about lovely author Sophie Kinsella, so we both said precisely that ( it’ll be solvable!) Then Mum called GM for her daily chat and police officer answered….. 🙀…

So Covid was negative? I’m unsure what strains are going around! I know some people are saying they are pretty sure they have it, as “ it feels different from flu”… but, if you’ve tested.. oh, what an utter shocker!!

Well, ok, it’s not going to be as planned, tomorrow, which is so horrible…. but, just try to dream of making it the perfect celebration meal when you are all up to it 🥳 !

One more week!!!!! What date were you due to break up?!
I think I can safely say I am VERY HAPPY about the term of BTEC! College is suiting DS perfectly, thus far!! He is out on an outdoor expedition trip tomorrow, holds his head high and has gained self confidence that I have never seen before. Plus, it is a sheer joy seeing him come home not in tears/head down/ looking defeated every day. BTEC and college, will hopefully be the key to him turning into the beautiful confident outgoing young man I think he is!

You?!

…excuse typos!

I think its been good for dd, she'll be happier once shes back.
Her first project is due 2/2 so 🤞

Absolutely! Maybe a break is also just what she needs….. i
know there was a two week break, but to get fully back on form for the new year, term and project 🤩

@swampwitch0

Wishing you all the very best of luck at DD’s graduation!!!! 👩‍🎓 💕 🏆 🥇 💕 👩‍🎓!!!!!

Hey everyone! Are you all breaking up this week? Or, have the holidays already started? Does anyone have any assignments to do over the holidays? 🎄🎉….. hoping everyone is happy and healthy !

@swampwitch0

Hey, how are your DDs doing health wise? And you? I hope you are fully recovered, or, at least on the road to recovery! 🤞😻

Hi @Sisublondie
Dd's graduation went ok, she just went and came home.
She got a merit! 😊
Both dd's are still feeling quite rubbish, but not as bad.
Hoping dd will be back at college this week as its only 2 hours on Wednesday and a short day on Friday.
Dh and I haven't succumbed yet 😬🤞
Last day of term for dd is friday 19th.
Dd is - predictably - stressed about missing college last week ☹️

@swampwitch0

Hey! Merit! Whoo-Hoo!!! Oh, that’s excellent news! You must be so proud and happy!

Excellent as to the graduation going ok…. It’s such a relief that she was to attend… who went with her?
I am really sorry that the nasty ass lurgy is still in situ…. I really feel for you…. Hoping 🤞🙏🤞 that you and DH have escaped!!
Ah, bless her for worrying about last week…. Has she got notes to catch up with?

My DS was told on Friday had assignment due in today…. But I’m not sure how much work he managed to get done, he was chatting to me at 1sm assuring it’s finished …..🤔🤞😻!

We break up on Wednesday - earlier than the local schools/sixth forms but still feels a long time coming.
No assignments over Christmas but meant to be doing revision for big important external exam in January. I think I might encourage a total break until the new year, then start to do some mock practice.
It's all very full on in terms of keeping up with work, I kind of didn't expect so many assignments!
I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a nice break.

DD's potential placement (that we were assured was happening) has fallen through.

Why can't my DD get a break?

This has been progressing since half term, and they wait until the week before Christmas to tell college. So upset.

What a shame! I remember you being so excited that she could walk there.

Are there any other options she can consider? Terrible time of year to be looking for something though, no one really wants to be adding to their workload at this time of year.