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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Continuing Year 13: January 2016

943 replies

Needmoresleep · 06/01/2016 13:25

Only two more terms at school. Let's support each other support our DC in getting through to the end.

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EllenJanethickerknickers · 28/06/2016 19:36

I'm sorry to hear that, Hellsbells. DS did AQA A physics. I guess the usual comfort is that if everyone found it hard then the grade boundaries might be lower?

esornep · 28/06/2016 19:42

They only need money to buy a meal at the CERN canteen so I may stick with the Euros I have in the drawer.

Forgot to say that the canteen takes both Francs and Euros but returns change in Francs only. A typical meal is 15-20 CHF. Last time I was there the canteen didn't take cards but the shop did.

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 28/06/2016 20:36

Sorry to hear that Hellsbells. I cant get much out of DD (OCR B as well). She got to the exam room and sat it and answered all the questions but was suffiently ill that she had little idea whether she was writing rubbish or not. She certainly was not in a state to spot any trick questions. The school nurse then confirmed that she had a bad sinus infection and sore throat, though by this time the temperature had gone, perhaps because of the repeated doses of paracetemol.

No one told her what happens next. I assume the school exam officer uses both yesterday's GP cert as evidence that she missed some revision, and today's school nurse report to confirm she was below par in the exam, and in part it depends how badly she has done. Luckily she can probably make her offer without physics, so could simply do her best and not worry.

But they are done now. Her school (private) has a Ball and then an after party in some swish London night club. She will also go to the after party of her previous school. The task now is to find a dress.

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Eastpoint · 28/06/2016 21:24

Dad's ball is Thursday night & she doesn't have a dress yet - too busy until this afternoon. We are relying on ASOS.

BethanKate · 28/06/2016 21:34

Sorry Physics was so hard Hellsbells & your DD was still unwell for her exam Needmore, hope they make allowance for her.

DS thought Physics (OCR) ok apart from some short questions which he hadn't got a clue how to do.

All finished now but he's got a piano exam on Monday, after that he can relax. Needs to get round to choosing Warwick accom really.

Thanks for all your support on here, hope everyone has a good summer.

CERN sounds like it'll be wonderful.

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 28/06/2016 21:39

I have no doubt that the dress shopping will be more stressful than A levels. CERN sounds more fun, at least for mothers. Not least because there is a risk that we will end up with a large group staying overnight.

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hellsbells99 · 28/06/2016 22:25

Hope your DD is feeling better Needmoresleep. Hopefully your DD has done well enough in her other subjects to meet her offer. DD's physics was AQA B.
I am very envious of the CERN trip - I wish I had a chance to do that.
BethanKate - I have just remembered DD has a piano exam later next week as well!
DD still needs to buy a dress for her leavers do on Friday and she still needs to apply for accommodation for university.....and sort out a holiday with her friends too.

hellsbells99 · 28/06/2016 22:26

It does feel like life has been on hold for the past couple of months....

Leeds2 · 28/06/2016 23:13

Sorting out holidays was not put on hold in our household! ~At least not for DD! Nor was buying ball dresses, although hers was back in March. Hope all your DC look stunning, and have a fabulous time.

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 02/07/2016 09:59

I hope everyone is enjoying their post exam relaxation. DD started on 9 May, so it was quite a marathon. She is still not fully well, but it no longer matters, and we have found a dress for the Leavers Ball.

All we need is for it to stop raining and it will feel like summer is here.

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Dunlurking · 02/07/2016 11:03

Sorry your DD has been ill Needmore. Hope she can enjoy her Leavers Ball.

Ds has his Year 13 Prom tonight. I have just washed the car in his honour. He had his 18th birthday party 2 days ago. I actually enjoyed it Shock. Amazing to see them all grown up. They sat around discussing politics some of the time, which I've never known any of them to do. Maybe this year group will suddenly engage in current affairs after the events of the last week.

I was impressed that Warwick emailed ds very quickly it might have even been the Friday 24th but my memory is to say Europe exchanges/plans for his entry year wouldn't be affected.

Dunlurking · 02/07/2016 11:09

Oh and meant to say to everyone who came up with recommendations for suits for prom. Thank You! We found a skinny fit one in M&S that was perfect. Our small local Next didn't have much stock in, neither did Top Man. Apparently people usually order in advance to try in their stores, which wasn't helpful! Debenhams didn't even stock the one we bought last time. But hurrah for M&S! So thanks again all.

esornep · 02/07/2016 12:55

I was impressed that Warwick emailed ds very quickly it might have even been the Friday 24th but my memory is to say Europe exchanges/plans for his entry year wouldn't be affected.

All universities put out related statements on the 24th.

Read the fine print carefully though. We remain in the EU until (at least) 24 months after Article 50 is activated and until then nothing changes. It seems that this immediately takes us up to January 2019, given that neither May nor others want to active until the new year.

However, for those starting in Oct 2016 who will be doing exchanges between Autumn 2018 and Summer 2019, there is no guarantee on Erasmus funding for the latter part of that academic year (post January 2019). The exchange agreements between exchange universities are not likely to be affected but the Erasmus funding is likely to be affected as it comes directly from the EU and is conditional on Freedom of Movement agreements. (Switzerland recently lost access to Erasmus money for breaking the latter.) My university carefully worded their reassurances to include this point.

Dunlurking · 02/07/2016 14:06

Thanks esornep I'll put that post under ds's nose once he's recovered from prom and he can work out its implications. I can't remember how/when his course proposes the students do their exchanges but I think one option was to spend a 3rd year abroad (out of 4 years) - which is Autumn 2018 to summer 2019 sadly. Otherwise I think they can spend a term or 6 months, within a 3 year degree. Must check.

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 02/07/2016 17:21

I'm finding it quite strange. For a year now DD has always had something she needs to do. Practice for UKCAT, write her PS, endless coursework, prepare for interviews, revise for mocks and A levels. Now nothing. I found myself getting anxious as she binge-watched Netflix, wanting to remind her of what she needs to be getting on with. But there is nothing to get on with. She has even tidied her room.

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SecretMcSquirrels · 02/07/2016 18:47

NMS I hope she's feeling better now. She has earned the right to spend the summer watching Netflix Grin.
She has even tidied her room
DS went so far as to carry the paper recycling box up to his room but has not yet put anything in it.

BethanKate · 04/07/2016 15:59

Piano exam ok-ish today but knows he made a few mistakes. Hope he did well enough to pass.

Took his books into school & got a certificate congratulating him on completing Year 13. So that's it. The end of school.

Hoping to get him to have a major room declutter over the summer once he's had a bit of a rest.

Bought him a set of saucepans from BHS closing down sale, he was really pleased with them, will have to find a corner to store 'stuff for uni'.

Hope prom went well Dunlurking.

Dunlurking · 04/07/2016 16:56

Thanks Bethan. Yes it did. Fingers crossed for the piano exam.

His room is tidy as well - side benefit of having his 18th party at home last week!

We haven't got round to a list for uni yet. Hoping that the experienced mumsnetter uni parents on this thread will enlighten us shortly! I'm going to be stockpiling for 2 as my niece is coming over from Oz on a 6 month uni exchange.

hellsbells99 · 04/07/2016 17:22

DD had her Leavers Ball at the weekend and has a piano exam this week. Bethan, I hope your DS passes fine.
She still hasn't booked a holiday but is planning to go at the weekend!
She still needs to return all her text books to school
.....but is currently lying in bed watching something on her laptop

Leeds2 · 04/07/2016 18:42

DD is on a plane to Portugal as I type .........

Hope those with music exams have done well.

wormshuffled · 05/07/2016 13:02

Hello Ladies, I've just read through the whole thread, hope you don't mind me rubber necking, as my DD is a year behind your children and I am finding this thread useful in terms of what I have to look forward to *cough in the coming year ! We have now done 5 open days and are eagerly waiting AS results so that the much anticipated predicted grades are given and we can start making decisions of where DD would like to apply to.
Just wanted to say thanks and keep up the chatter. Flowers Good luck to your children Smile

hellsbells99 · 05/07/2016 15:39

Thanks wormshuffled and welcome to the thread. I am sure things will work out for the best whatever our DCS decide to do....and if they change their minds or need to do retakes, then a year out of their lives at this stage is nothing! Good luck with the AS results.

raspberryrippleicecream · 06/07/2016 00:04

DS1 doesn't actually seem to have left yet. He helped with a primary music event all last week, with new year 12 induction yesterday. Tomorrow he is going in for tour band rehearsals, and his last music lessons. On Friday he is off on school tourband trip to Italy for 12 days.

He is looking forward to some chill time!

BethanKate · 06/07/2016 17:28

Hello & welcome wormshuffled.

Hellsbells I hope your DD's piano exam goes well.

Wow your DS is busy raspberryripple, hope he enjoys the Italy trip.

I'm now glad that DS (not much of a party animal) decided not to go to Leavers' Ball tonight - he's sitting in a corner, coughing, sneezing & shivering so wouldn't have been able to go anyway.

Original poster
Needmoresleep · 06/07/2016 19:00

Wow, luckily no more school leavings....

Monday was the ball and after party. We found a nice dress. Tip for anyone whose child will have "formals" at University is that House of Fraser have a good range of evening dresses suitable for younger people. DD came home at 8.30am.

I did not get much sleep.

Tuesday was breakfast at school, House lunch, and she skipped the library tea. Then a lovely Abbey service and a reception for leavers and their parents. DD then went to the after party of the school she left at 16 and came home at 2.30am.

I did not much sleep.

I had to get up early to move my car before congestion charge set in, as my road is being closed because of building work, and then had a busy day. DD slept, then went out for lunch. I will get my revenge.

Like raspberrys son she has not really left as she is back in school volunteering with a community involvement thing next week. But then it is over. Quite sad. The last two years have been really special.

Indeed the past 20 years, including DS, have been special.

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