GCSEs 2018 (13) Untwisting our knickers, lucky for some!

[Stickerrocks]

Thread 12 Link to the thread with our potted histories. Now the end is in sight.

Physics and a German lesson today. And then a surprise trip into town for waffles and ice cream, I think. Both my girls have had a lot of exams this week and they have coped admirably.

I'm glad to hear that other German candidates have not done much revision. It's definitely suffered from being the only subject that didn't have a paper 1 early in the timetable. But I think she'll be ok if she gets her head down over the weekend.

German, Physics and Maths are DD1s A level subjects so this next few days are actually rather important despite the fact that an end-of-term feeling is definitely setting in!

Kingscote just how exactly does your EAR do the ear thing?

Sost your account of your life is sobering and wildly impressive in equal measure. I worked in a children's home in Croydon on Thursday's in the seventies and I can't think how anything positive could have emerged for those kids. I hope it did, but the odds were stacked. So your talent and spirit and your family are genuinely amazing.

On a lighter note - but still related - I listened to the Peter Skellern link at high volume while making morning scrambled eggs for my own pups (one isn't technically still a pup but hey - still likes the eggs) and it got the thumbs up from next door's builders too (sing along started!).

DD off to Physics and I think after that almost the whole year group is decanting onto the nearest beach to eat chips, swim and celebrate :)

Exciting for all those that finish today! DS still has 1 more exam next Thursday.

Went over some physics with him last night (at his request) and I didn't feel confident that he really knew much (although it isnt a subject that he needs to get a good mark). I think the main reason is the teacher that he's had isn't able to control the class. I don't think the syllabus itself is particularly difficult or large, they should have been able to cover it in detail over 2 years.

I don't know if anyone else has found this in all boys schools, but it seems female teachers (particularly if they are physically small and fairly softly spoken) haven't got a chance when faced with 30 boys, many of whom aren't really interested in learning. From what my DS's have said it is the male teachers that get respect and no one messes about in those lessons.

How is DH today Alexander?

DD quite cheery about physics this morning, she finds this half much more accessible than paper 1thankfully, so a pass more likely.
Very little German revision has been done, she is out tonight swimming and at a friend's for birthday cake but at least has the weekend.

Dropped DD off and watched her walk away. I remembered the little y6 going to the moving up day. It's been quite a journey.

DD said going back in for exams feels like leaving prison and then having to go back to see your probation officer.

Dogz agree about the female teachers. But equally make teachers who are not cool don't stand a chance. Humour is greatly appreciated by boys and sarcasm so they seems to be the common trait for earning respect.

dogzdinner not in my experience - the female teachers at DS's school (totally non-selective) seem to command a lot of respect!
Actually behaviour varies more by which set is being taught, not by the gender of the teacher, from what I can gather.
Goodbye chips on the beach sounds like bliss!

Peggy

slinky you're right about sarcasm - two of the most sarcastic teachers DS knows are women maths teachers! They are the ones responsible for any success he has in maths!

DS2 has two Further Maths exams next week, but he finds Maths enjoyable, so the hardest part is over.

I got the last day photo!! lovely one of DS scowling at me - and shot from an upwards angle as he's so much taller than me!

Excuse me being emotional - I lost my very very lovely mum to ovarian caner 2 years ago. It was this week 2 years ago that I was concerned about her so flew back home ( despite her saying she was fine) and took her straight to A&E that night, she passed 6 weeks later.

She was the biggest support of her grandchildren with exams and school and was always the person we would phone to tell about an achievement to get a well done from. She would be so proud of DS2 finishing and of DS1 finishing his 1st year at uni today as well.......... . I miss beyond words being able to tell her, and its hit me a bit today.

If you do one thing today read this

Morning all,

Just to let you know DD made it through the nightmare that has been the last 5 weeks, indeed the entirety of year 11. She bids farewell to some of her peers today, with prom and official leavers day to follow.

Unfortunately, my anxiety and depression has taken hold and, having held it in for months, I’m not in a good place.

I’ll be stepping away from these threads (I’ve been reading every single post until now) for a few weeks until my head has had time to recover.

DD’s future is an unknown right now. We hope she’ll be well enough to sustain sixth form and A levels, but the prospect of University is, at this stage, highly unlikely given the medical support she requires from me.

I wish you all a peaceful, relaxed and restorative summer. I will return at some stage, if only to congratulate you all on the results achieved by your DC.

Always x

I think being a good entertainer helps when you're a teacher. I imagine it can be a bit like being a stand up comedian and dealing with hecklers.

I couldn't do it.

Have mentioned to DS that it might be a good idea to look at some German, as its weeks since he had a German lesson at school, so it must all be pushed to the back of his brain and would he please do a further maths paper before the exams next week. So yesterday evening when I asked him what he'd done that day (actually afternoon - he was in bed all morning!) he said a physics paper and he had watched a maths video IN GERMAN!

lobster maybe I am being too cautious but I am not allowing any burning of notes till on the 23 we hear every paper was marked, did not get lost or misplaced, was not disqualified by some strange reason, etc and we have no resits!!!!

eve
always I hope you come out the other side stronger and happier.

@AlwaysHiding I was just thinking about you and your DD this morning. You have had such a lot to deal with. Hopefully the exams being over will give you both space to rest and recover as much as it's possible to.

DS last had a German lesson 2 months ago and has the two exams on Monday. He is currently going through vocab on Quizlet in an appalling accent. Any attempt by me to suggest grouping some words to be able to answer a writing question on eg technology is being met with Kevin the Teenager hurumpfs!!

@AlwaysHiding
Stay strong. One step at a time.
Anxiety and depression are dreadful things especially if you are keeping them inside to fester and grow.
Best wishes to you and your very brave DD.

Alwayshiding you both have done amazing - I hope your DD's results the hard work she has put in.

Beach/chips/swim and burning the notes bonfire sound like a wonderful end to the exams...

DD very chilled when I dropped her off ...she has handled the exams so well...apart from the occasional snap if I have interfered.

We had a giggle in the car because she hasnt told her DF about changing her A level selections .. he made a comment on Wednesday about it being her last ever Chemistry lesson when I dropped her off not knowing she is now hoping to take Chemistry at A level ...then for some reason he commented on future working hours - indicating she would be working 35 plus hours a week - she sat there quietly thinking it would be more like 80 hours a week EEK!

@AlwaysHiding I've sent you a PM. I'll be thinking of you and your DD.

Eve Tell her anyway, and feel the pleasure the news will bring to her.

• that should have said - reflect the hard work (brain and typing clearly out of sync this morning)

Eve I am shedding tears right now at your post. Sending so many hugs today. I am sure your mother would have been hugely proud of you and DC. Cherish these memories.

Your post really touched me as I too am going through this with somebody very close to me. We are still fighting it. This has been going on in the background and making this time particularly hard. Thank you for sharing this. Hugs to you.

Eve and Always thinking of you both today
Eve my dwould have been so proud of my dcs

That went wrong! Meant to say my DM would have been so proud of my dcs but I know she was already proud of them. I do think of her every time there is news to share, though.