Applying for Uni 2019 Part 7: IB and A Levels are but a memory, we're relaxing and let's not even think about the 15 August yet!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Carrying on from the previous thread which filled up very quickly.

, and for everyone

@ifonly4 We all had a lovely time. The leavers had a splendid do. there was a silent disco (first time I’ve ever heard of it) some parents and I sneaked off to sample it a bit. There was a bucking bronco, a band, Bouncy castle, laser tunnel etc. I left after the meal. DS stayed on with his friends, I was told he came back to the house early hours singing.

I do like the sound of the leavers do in Paris taking over the school. I would’ve loved that to bits at that age. For my leavers we just had a valedictory service (all nice tight upper lip type) some prize giving, and waved goodbye. No dancing (wayward!) no meal (who’ll pay for that), no music. Still loved it though.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I don’t really feel sad at all, just a little pang when they were taking photos. I’m glad he’s had 5 successful yrs and just eagerly looking forward to the next stage. (Maybe i’m Just hard mamma😄)

DD finishes Saturday the 13th, full day of speeches, prizes, refreshments, vocational shows in the theatre, studios and outdoor stage. Then the meal and disco for sixth formers and their parents. We will then go back to a local hotel, the students carry on partying and have their final night in the boarding houses. Collection is at 9am sharp, and then that is it. We’re too far away for DD to collect her exam results in person so she’ll get them via email.
And then? Who knows! Current plan is holiday with her friends then start looking for a job and deciding what comes next...

DD is our youngest so after many, many years we will be finished with school. Definite end of an era.

It sounds as if the private schools really do send their Yr 13s on their way with a bang.

I am aware of silent discos. Can people choose what music they listen to? I guess it's one way to keep noise levels right down. What did you think @Shimy.

I think I'm getting an early dose of that 'empty nester' feeling, even though DD is early on in her secondary school career.

There was an interesting article in the news at the tail end of last week, all about the unpredictability of GCSE English Language results. Made me think back to the issues when our DC did theirs two years ago.@Piggywaspushed.

Wow what a good memory new ! Yes, rumour has it that the GCSE marking may be awful this year. I suspect this will affect a host of subjects for a range of reasons. Traditionally, A Level marking standards have been more credible although history has a chequered - well - history!

DS2 is in Germany this week. So I am here with DS1 and DH. Send urgent reinforcements. Prepare for evacuation.

A Level Politics marking will be fun. One of the questions was on Brexit written in the past tense.

Oh fab, DD has both History and English Lit results to come.

English Lit usually pretty reliable at A Level. History better now it's not modular.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 I was told usually you can choose your preferred channel on the headsets, but our sets had the same music on all the channels. I’m not sure how the whole setup for multi channels works. They had 1 DJ and he was playing the music.

must be weird to watch a silent disco in action

history has a chequered - well - history! Why @Piggywaspushed?

Shimy - did you enjoy it? I can understand if everyone is dancing to the same music but imagine the scene with different genres. The dance floor could have a very strange mix of grooving on down...where's the glitter ball emoji when you need one Hmm.

Epic fail on the cross through

History went through a phase if having the highest number of appeals of any subject. It's one of the main reasons they changed from remarking to the so called review if marking. A rare students were getting Us in modules. It was a mess. Not heard any dark mutterings in the last few years.

But is that because the marking is more accurate? Or because the appeals process is now weighted in favour of the initial mark?

I’m not sure about silent discos. Wasn’t the noise and the beat through the floor all part of the experience?

It's not the latter because A grade students aren't getting Us any more.

New You’ve hit the nail on the head. Watching people dancing to different genres is actually all part of the hilarity of it. People were slightly disappointed when they found there was only1 channel but it was still fun.

@Piggywaspushed that’s good to hear!

Shimy I think in a way dancing is a very social activity. Putting everyone in their own little bubbles with a headset on detracts from that big time???

@Piggywaspushed, that's interesting. How on earth could A grade students be getting Us in coursework though. It beggars belief.

History has so many different combinations of units now within a specific exam board. All permutations have their own grade boundaries.

Shimy glad you had a great time. I know we'll be in the marquee, but that's about it.

error ours leave boarding houses on the day before the ball, which I realised after I booked a hotel for just DH and myself. She hasn't sorted anything out with friends, but luckily a room came free this morning so I've booked it quick. She has a friend who may share it with her. phew. So lucky as hotel is around the corner.

It'll be good to have DD home over hols as I sort of feel I missed out on an extra couple of years with her. Hopefully being away from home will be a good stepping stone into uni for independence.

For anyone left with an empty nest, I'd say make sure you have a busy first week seeing friends, doing jobs. Moving forward, we go out far more on our own for meals, walks, cycling whatever, as we haven't got to think about anyone else, be back to drop them off somewhere etc, so it does get better.

We too have the leavers' ball (and parents) and speech day to look forward to at the weekend.

ifonly Thank you. Hope you have a great time.

Liz You too have a great time, it’s lovely seeing them all having such a great time with their friends.

Has anyone with a day school child had their ball/disco? Are they doing the whole limo thing or is that out of date now?

I think limos and fire engines are more of a year 11 thing.

Year 13 dinner here was a more sedate affair.