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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (14): the aftermath

997 replies

mmzz · 17/06/2018 10:45

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

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Original poster
mmzz · 28/06/2018 17:28

Thanks, stickerrocks!

OP posts:
Original poster
mmzz · 28/06/2018 17:28

Thanks, stickerrocks!

OP posts:
Original poster
mmzz · 28/06/2018 17:29

MN is glitching today. (hope i only post this once!)

OP posts:
TheThirdOfHerName · 28/06/2018 17:49

We're back from the open day. It was a bit warm to be walking around in a city all day (understatement emoji).

We got a space at park & ride but then had to queue to pay and then join the longest bus queue I have ever seen. Fortunately they had laid on extra buses and we managed to get on the second bus that arrived.

DS2 spent a long time in the physics department. He looked around all the labs and attended two talks about different aspects of the admissions process, both of which were really useful.

He was not that interested in looking around the rest, although we popped into three places so he could get a sense of how they are laid out. We did watch a demonstration interview, which was useful.

TheThirdOfHerName · 28/06/2018 17:51

EllenJane that reminds me of how DS2 is when he tries on new shoes. I ask if they are too big or too small, and he says "They are both too big and too small, and also feel weird."

TheThirdOfHerName · 28/06/2018 17:55

The most amusing moment was when DH, DS2 and I went through the door into the unisex toilets (complete with symbol representing multiple genders) and the sixth former behind me saw the sign, sighed, rolled her eyes and said "How very 2018."

EllenJanethickerknickers · 28/06/2018 18:01

Gosh, much too hot for open days! I hope some of it was air-conditioned. Computer rooms are usually a safe bet. Did you look at any accommodation?

TheThirdOfHerName · 28/06/2018 18:54

The labs (mostly underground) and lecture theatres were a pleasant temperature. The quads and gardens were peaceful and some had areas of shade.

The streets and pavements were very busy and hot though. There were more tourists than I was expecting, even though most colleges were closed to tourists today.

TheThirdOfHerName · 28/06/2018 19:05

We didn't have time to go on any of the tours; even if we had, DS2 didn't have enough of a preference to know which to start with.

DS2 would like to live within walking distance of lectures and labs, and would want wi-fi, but beyond that he doesn't mind what the accommodation is like.

EllenJanethickerknickers · 28/06/2018 22:33

They'll all have wifi, never fear. Underground labs sound cool, literally! Grin

TerfTerf · 28/06/2018 22:45

Got home at 8pm exhausted! Brilliant day. Oxford far less busy than I expected, we had one to one tours at two colleges and a small group tour at a third, DS attended a lecture for each of the two courses he's interested in and I went to one about the application process. Really impressed by the organisation and the loveliness of every single student/tutor/staff we met. I was prepared to hate it for its elitism, snobbery and money but came away wishing I could apply Grin DS still keen, and will be interesting to compare it with Cambridge next week.

mmzz you won't envy me in 2020 when Im faced with a Y11 who doesn't want to revise or do exams or even think about post-16 choices! and who has half destroyed my house and garden this evening because DH wouldn't play football with him at 9pm ConfusedConfused

Prom tomorrow so will post pic of DS in suit with his mate - they're going in a hired Rolls Royce together but neither is very fussed about it and not going to any parties afterwards. The whole-year after party was cancelled by the hosting parents after a student was expelled a few weeks ago for knife crime and attempted GBH - they were worried he'd gatecrash Sad

InMySpareTime · 28/06/2018 23:34

Prom night here, this is DS looking like the world's skinniest bouncer:

GCSEs 2018 (14): the aftermath
Sostenueto · 29/06/2018 05:31

It was wonderful at prom! The DC looked fantastic. Beautiful dresses hair and makeup and the boys looked so handsome! Modes of transport ranged from golf buggies, motorbikes, tractor, limos, ,, army vehicles, classic sports cars etc felt a bit out of place in my Clio in the queue to drop dgd off! I enjoyed it more as I wasn't driving so could gawk at everyone! Dgds friends all looked awesome with her bestie in a wonderful hànd made traditional Sri-lankin dress made by her mum, superb! Lots wearing DM boots with dressesGrin. Lots of people bowled over with dgd she looked so different with makeup and hairdo. Physics teacher said " is this the quiet,shy girl i thought I knew who looks so radiant?" Talk about blush! It was all so lovely and made my day! Oh to be young again!

cubscout · 29/06/2018 06:38

Prom night last night, all did not go as expected. D's was always wavering about going. He got dressed up, sadly had no one to go with. None of his good friends were going but some old primary school were. Long story short he managed to stay 45 mins then called to be picked up. Apparently it was full of the 'cool' boys plus glamerous girlfriends and no one spoke to him Sad . Am least he tried.

On a lighter note, he's been invited to pizza and poker night tonight do hope that makes up for it! Then we're off travelling for 3 weeks.

KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse · 29/06/2018 07:29

Sad cubscout that's so tough. Bless him. I hope he has a great time with his friends tonight to make up for it.

Where are you going travelling? We're off on Sunday to Malaysia and Indonesia for 3.5 weeks. At the moment I'm just feeling stressed about all the work I need to finish today but I can't wait to actually get on the plane Grin

LooseAtTheSeams · 29/06/2018 07:33

Cubscout he can tell his good friends they didn't miss much! I do hope he has a great time tonight to make up for it.
Kick sounds like an amazing holiday! We have a week in Devon in August!
Sostenueto what a fantastic night for your dgd! Smile

Stickerrocks · 29/06/2018 07:46

Prom tonight. I'm determined that she will look fantastic, because I have to copy Sost and drop her off in my car and she isn't going to anything afterwards. I might clean wash it later...

cubscout · 29/06/2018 07:46

We're off to Central America for 3 weeks Kick. I have one more work day to get through today, then packing tomorrow and off Sunday! Can't wait....

TerfTerf · 29/06/2018 08:01

Oh wow! Awesome holidays!! Not sure my week in the Isle of Man (staying with mum) is quite as glam Grin

Cubscout he went, he tried it, he didn't like it. Good on him! Most of the cool boys will disappear into obscurity in 10 years. It is heartbreaking to see kids having to face this crap now though Sad

Stickerrocks · 29/06/2018 08:08

My DH would love a week on the Isle of Man.

Cub I do feel for you. My DN had a similar experience at his prom 2 years ago, but it sounds as though your DS took it in his stride and decided that life is too short to spend time with people you don't feel comfortable with.

sandybayley · 29/06/2018 08:14

@cubscout - I hope he has a better time tonight.

@Sostenueto - so pleased it went well. I've been seeking my pictures of friends DDs at their proms and I love the dresses they've been wearing.

We're not off on holiday until the beginning of August but then have a week near Avignon in a villa and a week of 'adventure' in the Pyrenees. DS1 and DH have their road trip to Ben Nevis next weekend.

DS2 (12!) off to his second proper house party tonight. DS1 has not yet been to one. Two brothers and oh so different.

Cblue · 29/06/2018 08:22

@cubscout
Sorry to hear about prom. Hopefully he's not too upset and to be honest they probably wouldn't have had anything interesting to say even if they had spoken to him!

A while ago I met some of the cool kids from my school days - and they certainly weren't cool anymore! All l kept thinking was 'My, how the mighty have fallen'!! 30 years hadn't been kind.

There was also a lady there who very quiet and unpopular at school but is now a lawyer and looked like a super model (she turned up in a flashy Porche 4x4 with private number plate - she came straight from work and I reckon her suit cost more than my car)

Good on her, and good on your son Smile

Sostenueto · 29/06/2018 08:34

Sorry to hear about bad prom experience cubscout at least he tried is right. Don't worry my dear he will find true friendship soon. It will come along when you least expect it, just like love!Flowers

Sostenueto · 29/06/2018 08:45

We had the 'wanna outdo you' parents at prom last night. They were from dgds primary school and swimming club. They are pushy parents who hated it if my dgd beat them in a swimming race or at at school ( which she has done and she is in all top sets where theirs are in lower/average sets). They spotted me and called out that their DC were about to arrive ( in an army jeep/lorry). They were whooping and screaming like teenagers! There were 6 of their DC crammed into vehicle and they disembarked crumpled and ruffled ( but I still thought they were lovely as I do all DC) and the parents asked me what transport my dgd had as they arrived late. I said she didn't need special transport as her beauty carried her here all on its own! I can be a real bitch when I want!Grin

cubscout · 29/06/2018 08:48

Thanks you all for being so lovely! Actually I was very proud of him - exactly that 'why would I waste any more of my time....' and being invited out tonight cheered him considerably.