Year 11 GCSE support thread 4 - more exams

[HSMMaCM]

Anyone got English tomorrow ?

Oh so reassuring to read other children very laid back. Phew.

Just slightly concerned my DD has only ever done three days academics since year 7 so has some catching up to do. On her side, she has chosen her vocational path, which took up the other two days a week...BUT she still needs decent grades otherwise plan B will be non existent. I'm properly stressed.

What's her vocational thing, spud? (apols if you've already told us upthread)

DD did some more geog today but seemed to be running out of steam a bit. I think she could do with a day off but I don't think I can convince her. We did have an hour or so this evening rowdily playing Slam (she beat me 2:1 as usual) but DH is away so missing our Enterprise fix and she didn't fancy a DVD or finding out if there was actually anything worth watching on TV.

Errol, she acts/ dances/ sings and is at a theatre school. It's been great. She's lived the life and had amazing opportunities that she wouldn't have been able to fulfil at a regular school........but now she's playing catch up. She's worked hard and has done well in the coursework, but I keep hearing her say 'We didn't do this unit'. She lost steam Tuesday/ Wednesday but picked up again last night.
I'm hoping the fact that it's Thursday is going to spur her on a bit, but in all honesty, there's not really much that can be done to change anything at this late stage. It is what it is and it will be what it will be.

Hoping everyone's Dc have a productive day. I wish the sun would stop shining!!!!

Juggling - the GCSEs are changing for the DCs currently in Y9. I think it's just English & Maths that are changing initially, so DS2 will get 1-9 in English (x2) & Math and A*-G in everything else. The following year, another tranche of subjects will change and I think by the third year all subjects will have switched.

As for DS1, he has also lost his momentum this half-term. He's gone for a day out on the train to our nearest city with a couple of mates today and last night was at an under 18s event at a nightclub. As he was extremely anxious / depressed before the exams started, part of me is quite glad he seems to have got his mojo back. (...The other part of me would quite like him to be doing some work though!)

Fortunately, his next exam is not until the Wednesday after half-term, so I'm hoping I can encourage him into school on the Monday and Tuesday where I think he will work better.

switchitoff, I think you're right about our Y9's being the guinea-pigs for the rushed-through changes. I am worried about how the teachers are going to manage to cover the new syllabuses (which aren't published yet?) and prepare them for the new exams (Maths deemed too hard?)

Ah thanks switchitoff - sounds like my Y8 ds will have a real muddle of grades in numbers and letters then. That's not going to make it any easier for me to understand what he's doing! - But better to be fore-warned

I think you're right about the rushed-through changes. However, I'm trying not to worry about it just yet - I can only worry about one thing at a time, and at the moment I'm focussing on DS1's exams!!

However, it's not great to have a DS1 who will be in the first year of changes to AS/A-levels and a DS2 who will be in the first year of changes to GCSEs all at the same time!!

Yes, same here switch re not worrying!

I'm quite glad I've just got the one - as it is, having may/June taken out for three years on the trot is irksome. This half term has always been the time when we had a nice holiday, things like wildlife on Mull or a boat on the Broads. I wish they didn't still have to do AS next year. I think the school makes them do it even though it's not necessary any more and doesn't count towards the final result if I've understood correctly.

Yes, I'm missing my May holiday too Errol with this being the first year of serious exams (first of 6 with 2 DC - will be one exam run after another over the next few years)
We don't usually do a big holiday but generally manage a few days at DGPs with a trip into London. Think I'm feeling slightly bored by it all this week, but staying here with dd and not doing much myself is what's needed I think!
They are having a little break and watering/rescuing the flowers in the conservatory ATM (rescuing as some little ones had fallen off the shelf)

Same here re. new exams I have ds in yr9, dd yr11.
Another one who is also a bit bored this holiday. Selfishly, I'm also going off on a WI outing on Saturday, leaving Dh in charge.

My lovely parents have taken a very bored year 9 ds away so that the girls can revise. He was climbing the walls and irritating them a lot.

Turned on the radio to hear people describing holidays and trips to the beach in the sunshine.....so rapidly turned the radio off again.

I need to stay away from Facebook too, my newsfeed is full of holidays and day trips.
Sadly my parents wouldn't even think to take ds out.

I am really trying to leave DS up to it, but it's killing me. Today he's done about 1hr revision and has been out for the rest of the day. Hopefully at the park but I suspect a lot of xbox at friend's house.

The issues

1. he's got an offer for a selective 6th form. He needs very good grades. He's capable, but it's not a done deal. Like every parent, I just want him to fulfil his potential.

2. I'm doing my best to be a good Mum by planning nice meals and getting nice things in for him. I work from home so have great flexibility, but I feel a bit aggrieved to feel like I'm juggling my own life to make his smoother when he's having a fine old time not revising. I was planning on taking a break from work to do the wraps he asked for, then go for a quick run before having a conference call from 7-8pm (advantage of working from home - I can do a call in my sweaty kit!). I am tempted to call him back home and tell him to cook the chuffing dinner!

To be fair he did spend 5hrs at an English revision thing yesterday.

WWYD?

I think I'd be having him back for revision tbtc. Would he do a morning or afternoon session and then do what he wants in his free time?

Neither of mine have seen friends this week. They've had downtime, but are definitely in Revision Mode so have made no arrangements. (Mainly because DH is off and would disapprove of time wasting!)

Tbtc. I'm not sure what I'd say. Maybe he needed a day out. The weather forecast is horrible for tomorrow, so maybe he'll do a lot more revision?
As for the wraps? Slap 'em round his face

This GCSE lark isn't in any of my parenting books.

tbtc I've made it super clear that TLC will be provided for those working hard, but otherwise not a chance.

I'm not prepared to look after those with more free time than I have!

LOL dingbat I shall go and give him a slap with the wrap!

He's back now.

I've never had to chivvy him along, preferring to let him find his own way and face the consequences, so this is all rather new to me. There was always the thought of there being another chance, but this is it!

I shall go and talk to him and report back.

Had a little chat. He has been playing at the park most of the afternoon so that's better than xbox.

I explained how I felt about giving up my free time to give TLC when in fact he's had more than me and he said I should feel happy that I'm working because I get paid. Cheeky git!

He does feel he should be doing more revision and he's given me his word that he'll be doing it this evening.

I'm also missing a relaxing holiday, selfishly.
My Y9 DS went off to visit PIL yesterday morning and has decided to stay till Sun which is great in that DD can have peace and quiet here. Not sure she is making the utmost of it, but she is doing some.

Tbtc, that sounds like a good result. Everyone I know with GCSEers is saying that they are finding it hard to keep up momentum. Even DD says it isn't that helpful having a week off - she would rather just get it all over and done with.

Tbh I'd have been quite pleased if my DD would have taken one day off in the fresh air as she's flagging a bit. But although it was sunny it was also quite cold and windy - her idea of perfect weather if but only if she could be sailing or windsurfing. Which she's sensibly foreswarn till June 20th. Anyway, she did some computing revision today - she did one past paper first to get an idea of where needed the effort, but then going through the textbook was rather tedious.

big It's kind of reassuring that others are finding it hard as well.

In my day, this 1/2 term was the big push as we'd only done science practicals and language orals prior to 1/2 term.

These exams seem to have been going on for weeks and weeks and what with them being able to re-take this, that and the other it's such a long drag for them.

Anyway, I cooked the bastard wraps, which only took 1/2hr anyway, AND I've been for my run so all is fine.

Well done tbtc!
I too had a bit of a chat with DD. She had a bit of a light bulb moment, saying that she doesn't mind not getting good grades as long as she's happy with the amount of work she's put it. What she wouldn't like, is bad grades knowing she could have done more.
Let's hope that revelation hasn't come too late in the day......

DD asked me to test her this evening much to my surprise and decided she needs to do more revision.

Ds has been to school this morning 3 hours of maths, he then went the beach and has gone to a revision party (??) Yeah right, tonight. He's in school again in the morning for English and graphics and then he's off to camp with his Japan scout troupe. He really has relaxed this holiday and while I've nagged I've not gone ott as he has done some each day. Hes got no exams Monday so can get his head back in revision mode on Sunday and Monday. I hope this has been the right way to do it but only time will tell.