Gcse 2018 (10) The one with half term

[Stickerrocks]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3256691-GCSEs-2018-9-Will-we-get-to-half-term-for-never-was-a-story-of-more-woe-than-this-of-Juliet-and-who-is-Banquo

Oops. Can't remember how to link nicely, so this will have to do.

It sounds as though your back up is like all of ours. They know that very few will decide their final courses or even if they will accept a place until after the taster days and results, so they let everyone apply. They seem to expect around 50% churn, so no need to worry.

@stickerrocks - thanks for that! Because she is now so close to completion my focus has been diverted to worrying about results.
Part of the problem is that she has her heart set on going to Uni in the USA where they go through your entire high school school reports and grades as part of the selection process (GPAs). So these exams are pretty important for her especially since she can only go if she gets a scholarship.
Funny to think that when she was 8 she was struggling to read and write so she has already achieved so much and I don’t want her to feel disappointed. She has already succeeded in my eyes but whether it feels enough to her is a different thing.

Oh the joys of parenthood!!!!

Teen we will be in the all same places in Norway, but I think on different days. We're going on a Trollcar trip to the glacier from Olden and cable cars in Bergen.

Feel for you all with so many exams left. Keep strong

AH I don't know what the fee is for specifically, but it definitely wasn't optional as the students couldn't matriculate without it. It was just called contribution to the "school fund". Also, it wasn't clear if it was a one-off payment or something that would regularly be required, but that would be oar for the course with this school as they tend not to let you see the whole picture from the beginning. So far, there has been no communication to us tear 11 parents that it will be coming.

It doesn't matter that much as DS us likely to be leaving anyway, although it does seem like I may get an email next month requiring the money, when we won't know where DS will be going until August 23rd.

I wonder if the school reimburses those parents whose DC don't get the grades that they need to stay on after GCSEs?

I am not sure whether state schools can ask for a compulsory contribution from parents - I would just say that I was not willing to pay until results day...
No excursions booked yet @stickerrocks - I only booked cruise 2 weeks ago. I plan to go to Honfleur...my sister mentioned road train in Olden (apparently its something quite special when the ship leaves Olden) ...she also mentioned the Flam railway. Just hope teen club is OK we have only cruised with RCL before (so should be interesting).

Some of you may remember that I felt v.anxious the day before DS2's first GCSE exam, to the point where it was making me feel ill.

This afternoon I'm starting to feel like that again. DS1 has his first A-level exam tomorrow (and DH is away with work this week again) so I've been able to identify the reason for it, and I remember that last time I felt better once the first exam was out of the way.

mmzz it’s perfectly legal to ask for a voluntary donation to the school fund but it’s not legal to make it a condition of entry - and I’m pretty sure that applies to sixth form!
It sounds like the school is being very heavy-handed in its approach to getting money off the parents.

In K-pop news, DD isn't a big fan of BTS - she prefers Astro, Golden Child, MXM and Jeong Sewoon, all of whom are extremely unlikely to be touring the UK, so that's saved us a couple of hundred quid (not to mention the time spent in online ticket queues).

She was chatting to me about K-pop at lunchtime today and I learnt all sorts about the ethics of the different 'entertainments', the difference between a band and a group, the 101 selection show etc. If only this were one of her GCSE subjects.

Best of luck Third. Keep your self busy today and tomorrow and plan a nice small treat for you tomorrow evening. I do understand how you feel and we are not at the A level stage.

I just can't believe that in a blink of an eye this whole exam period will be over. Right now it's all about revision. DS too has exams but not qualification affecting.

Looking forward to the summer but equally DD still hasn't got enough organised as still waiting to hear back from a few applications. She didn't want to do NCS but I wonder whether we should discuss - she didn't explore it enough.

DD too into K pop and Anime all that but I couldn't tell you more than that which band she is interested in.

It definitely says you need to pay. By coincidence, 5 seconds ago, DS was just looking at last year's letter to internal students starting year 12 and it clearly says that you need to bring a printout of the email receipt from Parentpay to show that you have paid it (the "you is directed at the student, but its obviously the parent who actually pays).

We'll pay, if he stays, but I am wondering if this is actually legal? Maybe they get away with it because who is going to make a fuss just as the enrol into the sixth form?

TheThirdOfHerName - sorry to hear your feeling anxious again (but totally understandable). I am sure your DS1 is going to fine - he has a goal to aim for

Thank you slinkyme and Teenmum60 I plan to distract myself and keep busy and hopefully tomorrow will be better

Three weeks ago I think most of us (parents) were pretty anxious about the start of GCSE's...a weeks break and I think we are a lot more relaxed?

I think you'll find TheThird that DD has already secured the grade 9 in that! I was surprised at how structured it all was and it reminded me of the Monkees or the early boy bands where they were each allocated a personality and couldn't let their true self shine through. DD is hoping that other bands will come when they see how much BTS and GDragon have managed to rip off British 5eenagers by.

It sounds as though your Koop chat has done you some good. It's only natural to feel anxious again, as it's the final final hurdle for them all and so much can go right or wrong, but it's largely outside their control. You can't share your worries with them (twice over!) and your support network of DH isn't to hand either. You must feel like a pressure cooker about yo explode, so remember to let off a bit of steam in a quiet corner somewhere or let it out with us.

Teen no Flam for us as we are only away for 7 nights. Are you going by yourselves this time? I think the ships will be full of Scottish families and post exam teens. MSC probably has less structured activity, especially on the top deck, but you will have a lot to do on shore. I do believe the Norwegians like to give the ships a good send off. I loath the whole flag waving P&O obsession though & tend to skulk on my balcony.

Apologies for yet another batch for terrible typos. Translation available if required.

Meltdown from dgd just a little while ago. She said she just can't contain anymore knowledge but she doesn't know it all and she wants to do well not just pass and she wish it could all be over. Floods of tears, hot and bothered and her hormones. Just sent her for a cool long shower and told her enough is enough. She must have a rest now from revision for rest of day. That bought more tears as she's so many hours behind schedule etc. But I said she can do a little bit after dinner if she feels better but only 45 minutes. She's almost burned out doing so much revision its absolutely ridiculous! She says she doesn't want to let us down, her teachers down or herself down. I said no matter what your results you will never let any of us down as we know you have tried your best and hardest. So we will have to see how she feels after shower and some pampering. I said I'll paint her toenails and we can do a facemask each. A little girlie time in order!

@stickerrocks - Yes just me and teen. I am taking lots to read and intend to chill in spa. I think DD is quite looking forward to using her new camera ...I think there will be lots of Scots..DD was away at the same time last year and it was mainly American and Scottish families (lots of older teens) and a few kids from Indies who had also broken up.

Oh dear sost. Sounds like she's reached the point where revision is counterproductive.

Dd has just finished after revising since 10.00. She has spent most of the morning doing language paper 1 q5 plans and opening paragraphs. She did 4 in total and got more confident with each one. Thanks so much for suggesting that (I think it was oratory?)

The worst bit for her is the blind panic between seeing the question and deciding what she's doing. She's all smiles now because she realises she can do it

Oh and dd and I have a big adventure planned for July. It will involve volcanoes, orang utans and several days without WiFi

Kick very exciting.

Sost I asked DD a few minutes ago if she fancied doing something for a short break and had a similar response. She's concerned that she doesn't know all the facts she could know for tomorrow, whereas she should really be focusing on all the things she does know instead.

Teen I've been loading up my Kindle and I'm going to buy some binoculars to take in my hand luggage with 2 small bottles of gin and a lot of tonic. I've avoided the spa since the person doing my treatment told me I needed to lose at least 5-10kil9s after I refused to buy any products from her. Something may have been lost in translation!

ooh that sounds exciting Kick and cruising with a book sounds lovely too. Never considered cruise for a family holiday but thinking about it, it sounds great for a short treat with just one DC. Maybe you've just given me an idea for 21st b'day !!

Sorry for those DC struggling today. It has felt a bit strange, the relief of last weekend getting the first few over and getting to a break but now having to wind up again so I can understand.

Checking in again - it's such a relief to realise our family is just like all of yours - with DC in various states of motivation/enjoying getting out to do some fun things on occasion and starting to think about results day!

I've been out most of the weekend trying to create space to study (DD2 ill, so quiet for a change!) but I think the only focus and attention has been on Dan and Phil on YouTube. DD gets a 9+ for that!

3 exams on Wednesday and then one final one 8 days after that!! Wish we lived somewhere she could order prom clothing online - it's really hard to find anything suitable and affordable here.

We're leaving the country in a month, so DD also excited about packing and planning all her Summer activities. Final exams seem to be an inconvenience - hope she didn't peak in her Mocks for these!

Best wishes to all DC with a heavy exam load this week (i.e any exams!)