Thread 56 – Covid GCSE Cohort – Spring 26 – Yr 4 Uni and Graduates

[crazycrofter]

The old thread has filled up and no one noticed - I think we're missing @oblomov26 sharp eyes!

I've tried to tag in everyone I can think of, but apologies to anyone I've missed!
@shimy @endlessdistraction @justherewithmypopcorn @mummyinbeds @aslockton @oubliettebravo @craggyrat @anothernewname460 @ealingwestmum @ewwsprouts @seeline @piggywaspushed @nctdn @icanbewhatiwant @comefromaway @heifer @kingscotestaff @delphigirl @zebracat @cantonet @socks1107 @blinkbonny @anneofcleavage

@PhotoDadare you retiring? I missed the post where you said you are.
Dh retired from farming back in 2018. He is always finding stuff to do, at the moment he’s helping a few elderly people he knows, with shopping, hospital trips etc. there’s always stuff to do in the garden too. I was a stay at home mum for a lot of years and he worked all day, every day. So it’s been weird being the one to go out to work. I only work part time. I still do almost all the house jobs though, cooking , cleaning, laundry too. Not sure how that happened 😟 I’m sure you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.

@PhotoDadA two teacher household here, are you going from full-time to retirement?

I am going down to 4 days next year, DH is 3 days a week (we are calling it micro-retiring). DH is getting his teacher pension from October. I will try to keep going until I am 60. I have been an Early Years teacher for most of my career, but next year I have a share of a year 4 class for English and Maths 3 days a week, and then Yr 6 science, Yr 4 Science, year 5 RE, Yr 3 Art, year 2 PSHEE. I think I am teaching nearly every child in the school! I have never taught juniors so it will certainly be a new challenge.

@Aslockton when I went to 0.6 this is what I was doing. It was a shock after reception! It was also lovely though to teach every child in the school, but I never had a ‘home’. As science lead it was also good to see progression through the years.

@NCTDN It is good to hear a positive spin. I think I am going to be running round the school from class to class and subject to subject!

Plus no parents evenings 😉

No, I have to go in on my day off for parents' evening as I teach maths and English. I also have 11 sets of reports to do. At the moment, as full time class teacher, I have 8 sets of reports that I write.

Yes, I am retiring (early)! Technically I am employed until the end of this month but I happen to be on my summer holidays. I have been working at 0.8 for the past two years, which was a revelation in terms of work/life balance. Due to various curriculum changes, I am being replaced by 1.2 people; I did offer to stay on and be the 0.2, but the school decided to carve those lessons up between a bunch of different colleagues (which will be an "interesting" challenge; but it's not my problem!)

My DW isn't planning on retiring for ages, as she loves her work. I will almost certainly pick up a little paid work if I can, at least until DS is through university. My lump sum is earmarked for a new kitchen and a little cruise, with the rest going into investments. The kitchen was old when we moved to our house twenty years ago, and as I am the main cook I'm very excited!

Well the PGCE back in C definitely not happening so that's one decision made. DS working on new business- had various London meetings this week so if that comes off could be very good. Two weeks until Army medical so he is concentrating on getting through that (fingers crossed everyone!) and hopefully then getting through the Boards fairly quickly if all comes together. If not and business doesn't work out then he will apply for local PGCE for next Sept. His placements in C if he had taken it were an hour by bus away. At least up here he would have his car. So going to continue with online tutoring for now for income. I find all this uncertainty v difficult but glad he decided to pull the plug on C. He is also local boat club captain this year.

At least decisions are being made @craggyrat even if it’s a slow process! He does sound like he has a couple of really good irons in the fire. Would he be able to continue with the business whilst in the army?

@crazycrofter I think even if all goes well with Army it would be almost another year before actually starting and his business partner is going to be in London but most of it would be remote. I think their idea is set it up then sell it on but who knows..!

That all sounds very exciting @craggyrat ! What a multi-talented young man!

@crazycrofter that's definitely not what I'm calling him at the moment but thank you!

@PhotoDadsounds good. I’d love to join my husband in retirement. I will once ds3 has finished university. He’s just going into year 13. So that’s a while away!

@craggyrat That sounds sensible about putting the PGCE on hold. Fingers crossed for the Army medical. What sort of business is your son hoping to set up?

Hi @icanbewhatiwant

It sounds like a very similar role they have!

@Aslockton he has a non disclosure agreement in place but it is 'something to do with IT software' ...!

All this talk of retirement makes me jealous! I was 59 last week so a while to go to finish but I am only part time. Been told I can WFH permanently once office move happens. That's better than looking elsewhere but I will miss office life a lot, especially with DS at home

Looking to replace car - test driving 3 today. My picanto has cost a fortune over last 2 years and it is time for it to go. Looking for something a bit bigger and more reliable as DS will share and then buy off me once working full time

Hope you find the right car @craggyrat. Glad you can keep your job but I also find WFH hard when the kids are around - I’m tending to go into the office more at the moment for that reason. Also it’s air conditioned! And it’s so much easier to get help with stuff …

All this talk of retirement is strange for me as I’m 50 in a couple of weeks so ages to go for me, and I’ve not long started a better paid, more responsible job. I think I’ll start winding down a bit maybe towards the end of my 50s if I can afford to!

Yes, DS was at Bristol and we were surprised at the handshake thing. He’s got his certificate and photo now, which came out well.
No famous speaker but instead we had a quite inspiring masters(?) student who gave an emotional speech.
I also liked that everyone put their caps on simultaneously.
we had the faculty reception afterwards which was much more relaxed and a professional photographer took a great family photo which I’ll get framed.

@craggyrat I'm 59 and PT too, but entirely on site (WFH wouldn't work and it wouldn't be my preference) glad you've got an option to keep the job even if it isn't how you would have wanted it. DS and I share a pair of Toyota Yarises (one manual one auto). They are reliable, reasonably roomy and economical. DS has an auto licence so mostly drives that and I drive the manual but he is learning manual so practices in that one with me and will take his test in it as it is out of area for his instructor. It is helpful in some ways that they are so similar but it is easy to forget whether you are in manual or auto.

@Lentilcakesi just assumed all universities put their caps on at the same time tbh. Didn’t realise it was a Bristol thing!

My DD did at least shake hands at hers but other than that I think she was really hard done by!
Had the 6pm ceremony, which despite our best efforts, wasn't the same as the others during the day.
Had to pay for all tickets except hers.
No special speaker, just a summary of the history of the uni from an assistant VC
No mementos, no reception, not even a glass of something
And now I discover she didn't even get a synchronised cap putting-on 🤣

Oops sorry @Seeline.
DD didn’t get any faculty reception even if @Lentilcakes did for the same uni!

DD didn't get the job so we are going to move her out of her house at the weekend and she will move back home for the foreseeable.
Unusually both Dh and DS have gone into work today so I have the house to myself. It's just hit me that I don't know when that will next happen 😞

Not sure if any of you were getting A level results today? Hope all has gone well if so.

@Seeline sorry to hear about DD's job application.
I was having the same thoughts the other day about being home alone. I can't remember the last time that happened 😭