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Secondary education

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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (4 already)

999 replies

Stickerrocks · 24/02/2018 20:56

Following on from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3152060-GCSEs-2018-3

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
Original poster
Stickerrocks · 27/02/2018 22:21

To summarise: complacency, hormones, prom dresses, more hormones, panic, mocks, so laid back they're horizontal, college offers, friendship traumas, health issues, snow.

OP posts:
androbbob · 27/02/2018 22:28

Grin stickerrocks

MaisyPops · 27/02/2018 22:56

stickerrocks
Welcome to my world x30 Grin

Today's very heated discussion - who is to blame for us not getting a snow day?
Teenage conclusion - yes the head chose to stay open but they can't decide to open ig there's not enough staff so really you all should have called in stuck. It's our fault and tomorrow we should coordinate traffic jams and snow blockages. Students are willing to help build them though. Grin

mmzz · 27/02/2018 23:38

I'm touching wood as I write this, but I think DS1 has finally decided that "later" has arrived! He's putting in at least 2 hours of revision each evening in addition to the homework. I don't even have to prompt him. It's a miracle.
He's also started going to the pre school revision sessions.
I'd like to preen and say that my wise words and persistence did the trick but I'd be lying. He just seems to have decided by himself and has now forgotten how reluctant he was just 72 hours ago

TheOriginalFactoryMum · 27/02/2018 23:57

Hi, just seen this timely thread with DD1 coming up to GCSEs... in same boat as some here with great plans for revision but not much actually done. I’ve decided to take it in hand a bit as she’s got high aspirations but doesn’t seem to grasp just how much work there is still to do and subject matter to be retained. However she’s shown me the mock timeable tonight and it seems bizarre! They had ‘mocks’ just before Xmas and now another set starting next week and finishing with the last one on 10 May, which is five days before her first actual exam... is this just bonkers??? I think so and want to contact school, but is this anything anyone else is experiencing?

Teenmum60 · 28/02/2018 00:20

TheOriginalFactoryMum Are they proper mocks or just past papers that they are sitting because mocks over a 10 week period seem very OTT.
mmzz - So pleased that your DS is now focused ...can you send some of your magic potion my way ...DD has new Ukulele and I am pretty sure that she will be able to pass a Ukulele GCSE come May with the amount of practice she is doing not sure about the other exams...

TheOriginalFactoryMum · 28/02/2018 00:28

It says ‘mock timetable’ and it is set out like proper timetable, in the school hall etc. There’s a big gap in the middle for Easter but otherwise an exam for each part of each subject eg 3 for maths, quite spread out. Just seems a really unsettling way of doing it when they’re already anxious. Plus it’s a bit late to do much about it at end of April / May if she doesn’t do well. Think I’ll ring school tomorrow to check what’s going on!

Teenmum60 · 28/02/2018 00:31

How important is first induction day (6th form) ...when DD is continuing at same school ...Its 10th July and whilst I have NOT yet booked a holiday I was planning to be away by then - I dont want to go away in August and DD is away with dad at end of July.

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 28/02/2018 07:01

Teen I would simply ask the school. We all have to move to colleges down here, so the taster days in July are designed to help you decide on subjects & college. I would imagine that it is somewhat simpler for you. The enrolment day at the end of August is absolutely unmissable here, with harsh warnings that places will be lost if they don't turn up.

Maisy my DD is hoping for snow days later this week, whereas my own post grads are hoping for anything but. They have career defining exams next week & need me to run their final revision days, including over the weekend.

OP posts:
Sostenueto · 28/02/2018 07:04

Am effectively snowed in with about 4-5 inches. If the snow from yesterday had not melted before this new lit arrived it would be about 8 inches deep. Dd got to work by taxi but cost her £15 for 3 mile journey. Dgds school finally shut along with most schools across 2 counties. And the biggest laugh they are running trains today. What a farce!Shock
Well its an English day today all day! Revision, revision, revision. Dgd had rest yesterday but today its head down whilst we tackle unseen poetry and Shakespeare!
Be safe and warm to all don't go out unless you really have to, 4 people dead already because of accidents. Flowers

Sostenueto · 28/02/2018 07:05

Mmzz your a Star thank you again.Flowers

Oddsocks15 · 28/02/2018 07:33

Great summary stickerrocks Grin

The usual lack of communication from DD is Angry

BlueBelle123 · 28/02/2018 07:39

Teen DS is going to his school's 6th form and he will also be missing the induction day, we will be taking advantage of going on holiday, but I know not a lot goes on, at his school so it won't be a problem. We have ensured that he will be around for the prom!!

TheDonald · 28/02/2018 07:49

Yes we are going away after prom. I'm counting down the days! Dd will be here for the taster day for first choice college but not second choice.

Second choice has higher entry requirements so I don't see the point in her pursuing it really but she wants to keep her options open.

Snow day for dd today although sadly not for me. The usual benefits of a very short commute (5 mins walk) mean I get to hold the fort while all my colleagues get a day off Sad

Not sure if any revision will happen today. Confused

Oddsocks15 · 28/02/2018 08:09

It has started to snow here!! Okay only tiny flakes but snow is snow!!

We are going away in August (back for results day!) as I have younger DC who will still be at school

LooseAtTheSeams · 28/02/2018 08:31

Snow in SW London! Won’t last but looks very pretty and too cold for me. School is open. DS1 doing GCSE music ensemble recordings today, can see the coursework list shrinking slowly!

mmzz · 28/02/2018 09:30

i am seeing a new DS1 (or rather the one I had until recently has come back). He has a new and much improved attitude to studying.
It's a relief not to be banging my head against a brick wall any more.

I doubt this is what did the trick, but the last thing I tried before he transformed his attitude to studying was I put a blank piece of paper and a pen in his hands and told him to write out a list of the GCSEs he's going to take, and next to each subject write the grade he is personally targeting (nit the school's, just his).
Then when he'd done that, I asked him when do people who get those grades start studying ( the answer he gave was mid-Jan). After that he went up to his room to revise and I haven't had any problems since.

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 28/02/2018 10:33

I'm so excited about being able to go away for the first time in years outside of school holidays.

DD has got a place on a 6th form science day on Saturday, learning all about the chemistry behind drugs (pharmaceutical, not mind bending). Let's hope the snow which hasn't arrived here yet has disappeared by then.

Good technique mmzz. I have my own expectations, the school has theirs and I have a horrible feeling that DD's are different again.

OP posts:
AlexanderHamilton · 28/02/2018 11:08

Dd has to stay in school until the end of term which is 14th July. Also yoI get Ds doesn’t finish school until 20th July (his change of school means for the first time he will be finishing after Dd.

drummersmum · 28/02/2018 11:10

School is closed here, we're in London. DS has gone sledging. My milkman braved the snow this morning. My hero.
mmzz you're like one of those American gurus that charge thousands to motivate people Grin

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 28/02/2018 11:24

You have reminded me to put the big plastic shovel in the boot of the car in preparation for the expected blizzard tomorrow. Thank you for the public service announcement.

OP posts:
AChickenCalledKorma · 28/02/2018 13:02

Teenmum you need to check with the school about the induction day. DD1 is staying at the same school and has been told their induction day on 10 July is compulsory. I also wouldn't want her to miss it as I know the sixth form is quite a different set-up at their school and she struggles with change at the best of times.

Sostenueto · 28/02/2018 13:04

I've about had it up to here with hormonal teen refusing to cooperate, hormonal puppy who seems to have started first season and the blooming constant blizzard outside! Arrrgh! I need to be rescued!

HidingFromTheWorld · 28/02/2018 13:07

Over 25cm of snow here in Norfolk, with school closed today along with over 300 others in the County. It was open yesterday and provided free hot chocolate, along with supervised snowball fights.

We’ve just had blizzard like conditions and can no longer open the front door, with the kitchen window disappearing as the snow blows a deeper pile on the window sill!

So, DD has history, classics, maths, photography and English to work her way through. We are effectively snowed in due to our rural location and, with the majority of students travelling to school by bus, we don’t expect school to be open tomorrow.

Stay warm and safe everyone.

HidingFromTheWorld · 28/02/2018 13:08

Flowers for Sostenueto