GCSEs 2018 (5 & a puppy, but no kittens)

[Stickerrocks]

Here we go again.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3177476-GCSEs-2018-4-already

Bluebelle I bet the teachers are just being cautious - also, if it's anything like the dcs' school, teachers are held accountable for predictions so they often are very careful! (There's a noticeable reining in of enthusiasm as you get closer to exams!) That's not a bad thing as the odds are you'll be pleasantly surprised on results day...

Loose I agree entirely, I just wish they had reigned their enthusiasm in at the beginning of year 11 instead of so close to the exams .......although I am pleased it has happened, otherwise results day for DS could of been a bit of a shock!!

mmzz - well done to your DS...he has worked hard and deserves those results....
alexander - I quite like the idea of a mystery venue - but perhaps they could let the parents know so they can plan around this unless they propose to bring the DC back to the school?

Chilled DD who stated that she feels weight taken off shoulders now when I picked her up - 7 hours in school today to finish her English coursework ... now all submitted for marking and DD was happy with final pieces of work.

I think I'm thankful that DD's school don't produce written predictions although they do give some idea on parents evening...

Alexander when I read secret location it initially sounded very exciting, but then I re-read and decided it's a chore. I suppose it prevents exotic (overpriced) transport opportunities.

I hate doing this but we might play the autism card (knowing what to expect, planning, not liking unexpected changes etc)

Alexander there is no way my autistic DS would agree to going to a prom in an previously undisclosed location! So not an unreasonable request to make of the school - well, it shouldn’t seem so

DS has been to his first ‘offer holders’ meeting for one of the 3 sixth forms he has offers for. Not sure what we’re going to do about induction days though - each of the 3 has one in the last week in June. The dates don’t clash but 3 induction days in different schools in one week might be a bit much...

So pleased, DD got an 8 on her English Language paper two mock! This is the girl who got a 4 in November! My tutor is worth every penny!

Jufusmum - well done to your DD....we are having same experience with French tutor - 1hr a week since just before Christmas and she has completely transformed DD's French...

On a different note....

DD didn't get the top mark in the math mock. She even missed 3 marks making a silly error. She is very relaxed about this, including in the face of many peers saying "So how do you feel about (naff kid's name) getting the top mark, better than you?" Also Got her EPQ in, in good time and I didn't know barely anything about it.

2 yrs ago she had near every night panic attacks about geography GCSE. Last year was pulling her hair out about other GCSEs, including terse emails from me telling her teachers to LAY OFF. This year is so much nicer so far.

DailyWail your DD is in the sixth form and doing EPQ or she's doing it in year 11?

How are things going, Stickerrocks?

Sostenuto, how are you feeling today?

yr11, mmzz. She hasn't heard of EPQ in 6th form.

DS did an epq last year ( year 10). Its a lower level one than the ones they do in sixth form. Initially I thought it was a bad idea especially when they’d just reduced the no of gcse s due to them being harder and it was a lot of work. But he actually got a lot out of it and learnt a lot. I think it counts for half a gcse. Was good for him too as he struggles with timed exams exams.

Waiting for surgery tomorrow as an urgent case. I'll have to go back home if it gets delayed until after Easter, which will be hard. Meanwhile DD has been messaging a chum in Spanish all evening according to chum's mum.

I'll be thinking of you and your DM today, Stickerrocks.

I didn't know that there are GCSE EPQs. I've only heard of them in the context of A levels, where they are used to show your interest in the course you are applying for at university.
Is the objective of the GCSE ones to learn how to independently research and write up a long report?

EPQs are like a mini-thesis, right??

DS came home last night with about 25 hours of homework for the holidays.Typically, its past papers to complete and mark. Thats across 6 subjects. The other 4 haven't said anything about homework yet.
Later in the evening, he said that the chat group ( which is mostly made up of the top set students) were all creaking under the strain of so much work.

It is hard, and it gets harder with every new level from here on in. But you can only do what you can do. My DF used to tell me that as long as you do your best, then whatever happens, you'll be able to sleep easy. I think it's the wisest advice anyone ever gave me.

Stickerrocks sending best wishes to you both, fingers crossed op isn't delayed to after the Easter break. Glad your DD is still ploughing on!!

Easter holidays are about to start............lets hope they are productive, stress-free(wishful thinking) and of course chocolate filled

She's been bumped off the list for today & now Easter gets in the way. I'm going to hang on here today to find out whether they effectively shut down all ops over Easter and then decide whether to head back home. I feel guilty for saying this (but I can yell it here, just not out loud) but I've got work to do which is all 200 miles away!!!!!

Jufus that's fantastic! Well done to your dd.
mmzz very wise words.
DS has brought his art stuff home so I think he's accepted some holiday work is needed! He seems to be reasonably on track on the exam prep.
We've withdrawn him from add maths so he can focus on trying to get the 8 in the GCSE. I still think studying some add maths has really helped him. He's now describing the GCSE as 'refreshing'!
Stickerrocks keeping fingers crossed that the op goes ahead today.

Oh no - cross-posted and not the news you wanted. Totally sympathise with the frustration but really hope they will be able to do op over Easter after all.

That’s correct mmzz re epq - they had to do full referenceing and a literature review and a presentation. So one of those things where I don’t think there will be any real benefit from having it on their cv but there was merit in doing for what they got out of it - and he quite enjoyed it (on Cuban missile crisis !!). I don’t know if the theory was it would encourage more to do an a level one (SS isn’t as wants more time for his three a levels and extra curricular music and drama. But they did it in year 10 in the slot freed up by dropping from 11 gcse s to 10 - then in year 11 those slots became free periods so not a bad an overall

Stickerrocks so sorry to hear op has been delayed........I guess if it was really urgent they would of fitted her in, so could be good news......and feel free to yell all you want

So sorry to hear your news Stickerrocks crossing fingers that somehow they manage to fit in Operation...assume your DM will stay in hospital?

First proper day of revision during holidays here given that DD has been in school last three days - still needs to go in two days over Easter period(one to finish power point presentation and one for History - but happy that school doing a 3 hour revision session on History). I'm feeling less chilled now that English has been completed - coursework is DD's weakest part of English she much prefers the exams - so hoping the 7's in mocks can at least be maintained.

DD still has three topics to cover in Computer Science when she goes back to school (in two and half weeks) so should be interesting.

Sost - hope your OK.

DS not SS !!
DS has a fair amount of homework set but because it’s all revision he doesn’t mind as it saves him having to decide what to do on some days at least. Also decided to follow school timetable so less planning required and more structure. We ll see if it lasts !! Third time round (two older DD s) I’m trying not to stress about what’s he s actually doing with the time and to be positive with lots of praise - just hoping that if he keeps plodding away he ll get a decent set of results to take to the next level even if not what his intelligence deserves. So I ve moved away from trying to maximise each grade to just make sure you get what you need then we’ll be happy