GCSEs 2018 (14): the aftermath

[mmzz]

Following on from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3275972-GCSEs-2018-13-Untwisting-our-knickers-lucky-for-some

Thank you @sandybayley
We're planning to do park & ride but realise that even that will be busy.

Sost You are so strong I admire you. I had Pancreatitis after surgery to remove a tumour from my Pancreas in 2012 and it was the worst pain I have ever been in. Sending love.

DD has completed two day induction at first choice sixth form (loved it), one day induction at college (insurance choice, liked it but would rather do A-levels), and has four-day induction at second choice of sixth form next week.

It's Prom on Friday. She's not going, but going out for a meal with friends instead, although she has made some noises about going to one of the after-parties.

I've left her in her pyjamas cleaning the fish tank today!

Dgd up town with dd getting some sparkly bits for hairdo this afternoon. Preparing for prom an all day thing apparently
Can't wait to see everyone in their prom gear! Some will be there who dgd went to primary with. It will be definitely people trying to outdo each other, it was bad enough for first communion but DVD definitely had the upper hand there in traditional dress and veil and looked like a cherub! Teachers all took photos of her because it was a traditional outfit as everyone else basically wore bridesmaid dresses but all looked beautiful to me!
Thankfully dgds mates not competitive that way and not too girlie either. I hope they all have a wonderful time and its a real posh venue. To stay overnight would cost you £145 without breakfast each!
Hope everyone else's DC enjoy their prom or alternative celebrations!
Got to haul myself out of bed now and start the day. Have a great day to all!

Does smart casual only mean long trousers for 15/16 year old boys? The dress code says smart casual (no trainers or jeans).

Would shorts and canvas boat shoes pass? Or are canvas boat shoes really just trainers?

Sostenueto didn't they all wear veils? Is the difference between a flower girl dress and a first communion dress the shade of white?

Currently waiting for DS who is in a lecture at the Saïd Business school at Oxford. Met a charming guy from the Careers team who gave me so much useful 'inside' info (he doesn't deal with undergrads) about Oxford and the School, and tips about degree choices in general.

The P&R carpark was actually full so snagged a place in a retail park with no parking time limit. It's another gorgeous day here so no hardship to just wander and gaze at beautiful college lawns No doubt we will have some lively chat on the drive home!

TerfTerf I'm so jealous!

DS is just so passive and that's a problem that DH and I disagree about how to react. I think it means that DH and I have to push DS into finding some drive (i.e. take him to some open days and make him start to think about what he might like to do in the future).

DH thinks it means that we'd be wasting our time taking him to open days and he's embarrass us by his casual indifference and honest, but unhelpful "don't knows" when someone speaks to him.

So, I've got DH to agree that we'll show DS some extremes. First we'll take him to one of the former polys, preferably one with a bad reputation. Then we'll take him to one of the contenders and finally Oxford or Cambridge. Hopefully that will make DS develop a bit of ambition.

Prom Night tonight!!!!

My friends have ordered limos, corsages, picked up Hugo Boss suits and expensive shoes......and that’s just the boys.

Ds has had a haircut and has new laces for his shoes.....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I think its harder to think ahead and to consider uni open days for those changing schools. They've just got through one set of applications and may have decisions to make or a future dependant on results so understandable if they are not thinking about the next step. DD2 was in this situation (changed schools for year 10 and again for 6th form) so came late to the uni process and Cambridge application. DD1 stayed at same school for sixth form and knew more or less what her results would be and the subjects she wanted to persue so was more ready and keen to think about next steps. There is plenty of time though and can work well both ways - all dc are different and no one route fits all. I don't see a need to force it before they are ready and schools will prompt in year 12 too

DD has had her nails done & has gone to see a friend who is having a confidence crisis. She says that prom is scarier then the exams were.

No university open days for us. DD will be staying in Halls for NCS which should give her a taste of uni life though. They are given a stash of food and then have to cater for themselves. I imagine it will be a bit like Big Brother with an initial effort at team work until they discover that nobody can cook for a big group and someone has made toast with all the bread.

mmzz If your DS was down here on the coast, the standard smart casual uniform is chino shorts and deck shoes for college. Personally I get fed up with looking at my male student's toes in flip flops, so canvas shoes would be fine.

Just having the same debate here. DS has been invited to a 16th Birthday party (his second ever) where he doesn't know many people or the parents organising it ! Has a new hair cut, a smart button up short sleeved shirt and blue suede shoes but the question is - smart shorts, jeans or chinos ?? Any suggestions from a DD more in the know ?? Its a silent disco in a village hall if that helps. And does he take a present (presumably doesn't turn up with alcohol if its a surprise party organised by parents)

Just having the same debate here. DS has been invited to a 16th Birthday party (his second ever) where he doesn't know many people or the parents organising it ! Has a new hair cut, a smart button up short sleeved shirt and blue suede shoes but the question is - smart shorts, jeans or chinos ?? Any suggestions from a DD more in the know ?? Its a silent disco in a village hall if that helps. And does he take a present (presumably doesn't turn up with alcohol if its a surprise party organised by parents)

I think DD is bored. She has just walked 4 miles across fields to the next village to meet friends at a park. Of course I got to text to collect her when I finish work!

Oratory I'd go for chinos or skinny jeans. As for a present, money in a card deffo. That's what DD is hoping for at the end of July!

Thanks, Stickerrocks.

Oratory, if he was a girl, he could easily just ask someone else what they are wearing. Boys make things harder by judging if you get it wrong but being too cool to lower themselves to discuss outfits beforehand.
If you are dropping him off, he could always park some distance away, see what people are wearing as they walk in and quickly change in the car, if necessary!
That's what if so if he was really anxious about it. If not, then just wear what he looks best in and go and style it out.

Ha Ha thanks Mmzz, yes you're right he would never ask anybody and yet hates to be singled out/different in any way - and more pressure on this time as he's keen on the girl who's party it is :):):)

I've noticed a similar failure to discuss when it come to arranging to meet up!
mmzz it's better to take DS to open days and let him get used to meeting people even if he doesn't say much - confidence will grow.
On a very happy note our college just had the graduation ceremony for the Access to Higher Education students - lots of smiles, tears and hugs. All of them have a backstory that means this is a massive achievement. They're off to good unis (including Cambridge) and are so excited!

Well done Loose on helping them get that little bit closer to their potential.

DD is struggling to understand the concept of me working from home & her not. I appear to have a new job as a taxi driver.

A bit of a change of subject, but has anyone tried to apply their new GDPR rights?

I've just tried to use mine with lastminute.com I booked something with them approx 3 years ago and they have been bombarding me with offers ever since.

I think I ticked the box saying no marketing communications at the time (I usually look for it) and I've unsubscribed from their mailing lists at least half a dozen times, but they wait a couple of months and then start again. So, now I've asked for all my data to be erased from their whole group of companies and from any other company they may have (illegally) sold my data to, and I just got an email confirming that I've been erased.

If I get more emails after next week, then I'm going to spend a bit of time working out how to make an official complaint against the company.

I'm a dinosaur. I really dislike being marketed at. I prefer to keep my email and mobile limited to people/ companies that I want to hear from!

They should have an official complaints procedure which should be your first port of call. Details should be on their website. My own engagement letters say:

Your rights in connection with personal data
Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data. This enables you to receive details of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are processing it lawfully.
• Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you.
• Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have exercised your right to object to processing (see below).
• Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this basis. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
• Request the restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of personal data about you, for example if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.
• Request the transfer of your personal data to you or another data controller if the processing is based on consent, carried out by automated means and this is technically feasible.
If you want to exercise any of the above rights, please email our data protection point of contact (DPO's email).

You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request for access is clearly unfounded or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with the request in such circumstances.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access the information (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is another appropriate security measure to ensure that personal information is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it.
10. RIGHT TO WITHDRAW CONSENT
In the limited circumstances where you may have provided your consent to the collection, processing and transfer of your personal data for a specific purpose (for example, in relation to direct marketing that you have indicated you would like to receive from us), you have the right to withdraw your consent for that specific processing at any time.

Once we have received notification that you have withdrawn your consent, we will no longer process your personal information (personal data) for the purpose or purposes you originally agreed to, unless we have another legitimate basis for doing so in law.

They should have an official complaints procedure which should be your first port of call. Details should be on their website. My own engagement letters say:

Your rights in connection with personal data
Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data. This enables you to receive details of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are processing it lawfully.
• Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you.
• Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have exercised your right to object to processing (see below).
• Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this basis. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
• Request the restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of personal data about you, for example if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.
• Request the transfer of your personal data to you or another data controller if the processing is based on consent, carried out by automated means and this is technically feasible.
If you want to exercise any of the above rights, please email our data protection point of contact (DPO's email).

You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request for access is clearly unfounded or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with the request in such circumstances.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access the information (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is another appropriate security measure to ensure that personal information is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it.
10. RIGHT TO WITHDRAW CONSENT
In the limited circumstances where you may have provided your consent to the collection, processing and transfer of your personal data for a specific purpose (for example, in relation to direct marketing that you have indicated you would like to receive from us), you have the right to withdraw your consent for that specific processing at any time.

Once we have received notification that you have withdrawn your consent, we will no longer process your personal information (personal data) for the purpose or purposes you originally agreed to, unless we have another legitimate basis for doing so in law.

There should be a process for contacting their DPO to make a complaint on their website. My standard engagement letter says:

Your rights in connection with personal data
Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data. This enables you to receive details of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are processing it lawfully.
• Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you.
• Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have exercised your right to object to processing (see below).
• Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this basis. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal information for direct marketing purposes.
• Request the restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of personal data about you, for example if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.
• Request the transfer of your personal data to you or another data controller if the processing is based on consent, carried out by automated means and this is technically feasible.
If you want to exercise any of the above rights, please email our data protection point of contact XXXXemail.com

You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request for access is clearly unfounded or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with the request in such circumstances.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access the information (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is another appropriate security measure to ensure that personal information is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it.
10. RIGHT TO WITHDRAW CONSENT
In the limited circumstances where you may have provided your consent to the collection, processing and transfer of your personal data for a specific purpose (for example, in relation to direct marketing that you have indicated you would like to receive from us), you have the right to withdraw your consent for that specific processing at any time.

Once we have received notification that you have withdrawn your consent, we will no longer process your personal information (personal data) for the purpose or purposes you originally agreed to, unless we have another legitimate basis for doing so in law.

Well that didn't work properly, did it! Sorry for the multiple posts.

I think I'm becoming obsessed with looking at the daily Prom feature in our local paper.

I think we've got that now, Stickerrocks!

DS3 really enjoyed his induction day at sixth form today. FM taster session was looking at Mandelbrot sets. Probably not on the syllabus but an interesting topic. He knows 2 boys in the potential computer science class from his current school. He bought some uniform. All size medium, one is fine, one is rather big and one is too small. Sigh.