GCSE 2018 no. 6: stress, struggles and success (hopefully) *Title Edited by MNHQ*

[mmzz]

New thread for GCSEs 2018

[mmzz]

Seeing TheSecond's post has reminded me that DS's school's maths department still haven't told him how he got on at the Olympiad, nor given him his participation certificate (which is all he is expecting). That's poor, isn't it?

Last year, the maths teacher gave him the Kangaroo merit certificate in the corridor when he was clearing out his desk for the summer holidays.

Somehow, I get the feeling that achieving at maths is not something the maths teacher is thrilled about.

[BlueBelle123]

mmzz at DS's school its more about whether your face fits as regards the fuss that is made, I just wish they were consistent.........personally I think some teachers take DS's laid back attitude as not caring, which if they actually knew him they would realise its the opposite.

[Teenmum60]

mmzz - sounds to me like all the school care about is results and not the students ...sad that they don't duly reward achievement with appropriate recognition. If a pupil at DD's school had reached the Olympiad it would be in the weekly edit which goes out to the parents/on the website and on Twitter..positive recognition where it is due should come naturally within a school environment.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

mmzz that's poor form of the school.
DS2 has received his certificate and the marked paper, and got a mention (first name only) from the maths department twitter account for getting through to that stage.

[hmcAsWas]

Eek! we are at 956 posts (including this one) - don't we need a new thread? Who normally does the honours?

Loose hopefully the 6th form thing should be sorted quite easily if he is remaining at the same school? - it would have given me a fright though too...although I am sure its just that they need to have their paperwork all completed and up to speed

mmzz - you may have already answered this before, but is your ds staying at his present school for sixth form or moving on elsewhere?

Dd is irrationally tearful today. We've had tears over wasted paper of all things! I shouldn't laugh. I let her have a lie in today and will do the same tomorrow. Going to the theatre to see Macbeth tonight ahead of next weeks Eng lit paper

[mmzz]

hmcAsWas DS is probably moving to a selective sixth form. However, the school don't know this because even though they know that he applied, and the maths teacher wrote a reference for him, they have just never bothered to ask how he got on.
I think the school are expecting to have DS coming back for sixth form.

Whether Ds goes to the selective sixth form or not depends on getting the grades and whether DS can pluck up the courage to move out of his comfort zone! I think he will choose to go in the end, but he'll keep me on tenterhooks until the last minute!

[mmzz]

new thread - usually stickerrocks does it, but I think I've done them twice.

What name though?
GCSE 2018 no. 7: the exam edition, or
GCSE 2018 - 7 (used to be called an "A") or
something else entirely?

[mmzz]

How about a heartfelt one:
GCSE 2018 no. 7, Dear God, please let this be over

[mmzz]

Re: DS's olympiad result: I think BlueBelle123 and Teen have it. They just aren't interested in DS. Maybe they are not interested in any individual, maybe the only care about the stand out students.

[EllenJanethickerknickers]

DS3 finally received his certificates for the UKMT and kangaroo, he got a merit. He got the best in school award for the UKMT. No mention in the bi-weekly newsletter. I really don't think doing well in maths is seen as cause for celebration. So I put it on FB instead! Well, if sports awards can be celebrated, why not maths?

Second is the physics summer school with the Ogden Trust? DS1 did it between y11 and 12, spent a week near Cambridge and loved it. These courses if residential can be used for the Gold D of E residential.

[stickerrocks]

Hello, I'm back. Don't put God in the title or someone who hasn't been here will complain mmzz. The end is nigh for this thread....

[hmcAsWas]

My vote is the Dear God, please let it be over option

I hope that your ds gets the grades for the new Sixth form and decides to go there - his current school is a bit of a mare isn't it!

[hmcAsWas]

x-post with stickerrocks - probably right about the God reference

[brainmelt]

mmzz the Dear God one

[brainmelt]

Sorry x posts with sticker too

[mmzz]

GCSE 2018 (7) Can the end of June please hurry up and come around?
GCSE 2018 (7) Please let it just end?

[mmzz]

When you see some of the language used in posts and thread titles on here, i'd have thought G-d was mild.

[Teenmum60]

Personally, I think the new thread should read GCSE 2018 (7) ...but happy with just having a new thread.

[stickerrocks]

I don't want anyone laying curses on us or giving us the evil eye - we need all the good luck we can get! After 6 threads we inadvertently offend a faith school parent who models a sticker, mmzz, loose, teen etc out of blue tack and starts sticking pins in it. Agree with the language used elsewhere. Can I have gin not wine please?

[Teenmum60]

[TheSecondOfHerName]

EllenJane well done to your DS3 on the kangaroo merit.

The summer school is run by the Debate Chamber, we are paying for it. Although DS2 goes to a state school, he doesn't meet the other criteria for the Sutton Trust or other similar funded summer schools.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

The additional factors for selection for the Sutton Trust summer schools are :

• Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation

• Attend a school or college with a below-average A-level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher education

• Have been eligible for free school meals

• Would be in the first generation of their family to attend university

He doesn't meet any of these.

[EllenJanethickerknickers]

Second DS1's summer school was with the Ogden Trust which has slightly different (easier) criteria. But I think you have to be one of their 'target' schools. I hope your DS2 has a fab time. It was a bit like a taster for university.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

DS2's school is part of the outreach programme run by Imperial College, and they've been visiting the school once a year since he was in Y9 (mobile lab and other enrichment activities) so he has had access to day-workshop-type opportunities.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

Off to see NT version of 'The Scottish Play* tonight at local cinema. See how careful I'm being not to bring bad luck on us all?
DS1 didn't seem totally thrilled...however he is keen to do well in English.
Maybe wine AND gin for next thread?