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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (18) Well that's all over, let's get the party started

999 replies

Stickerrocks · 23/08/2018 14:17

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3341060-GCSEs-2018-17-What-will-be-in-your-coffee-cup-on-Thursday

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
PeggyIsInTheNarrative · 31/08/2018 18:18

Oratory re screening at university. There were trained staff who did the screening. Not as comprehensive as ed psych but enough to say "dyslexia and probable dyspraxia".

Here is an example that is not DC's uni. At Cardiff they offer

"screening and assessment for specific learning difficulties(SpLDs)"

www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/student-life/student-support/disability-and-dyslexia-service

AChickenCalledKorma · 31/08/2018 18:27

Glad he had a good day Kingscote. I'm loving the notion of good feedback on the suit! I have visions of shiny new sixth formers strutting the catwalk for marks out of 10.

Oratory1 · 31/08/2018 18:34

Thanks Peggy. I want to redo DS Ed Psych assessment anyway (mainly for curiosity) but it's good to know that option is there for those that don't want to. I may pass that on to the school for info school as at the moment they are saying DC have to get re assessed prior to Uni,

Good news Kingscote, teachers can make a big difference in sixth form so good that he's happy.

sandybayley · 31/08/2018 18:37

DS1 also had a good first day but is now exhausted. They had to change into Games Kit for 'team building' so we've had the inevitable 'X has lost his TM Lewis trousers' email. Some things never change. Bet the Mum is fuming!

@KingscoteStaff - DS1 has rugby training but no match tomorrow. I'm going to check the fixtures to see when our grudge match is but I think your DS may be 1st XV? DS1 is probably XV at best as the year above are a really strong year. I'll be wearing a leopard print scarf Wink

Oratory1 · 31/08/2018 18:38

DS now decided he wants to have double of everything at school so when he comes home at the weekend he just needs to bring books and nothing else. Seemed like a good idea but a very expensive shop today - amazing how the little things add up !!

Do we have any other boarders on this thread

TheThirdOfHerName · 31/08/2018 18:43

Oratory1 what things have you doubled up on?
DS2 is supposed to limit the loads he carries due to his hypermobility.

DS2 will be carrying:
His Chromebook (not buying another of those!)
His clarinet (likewise, it's worth £1K!)
Lightweight files with only the notes from the current topic in them; the rest will be archived at home.
A bottle of water.
A pencil case.

Do you mean enough textbooks for one copy at school and another at home?

TheThirdOfHerName · 31/08/2018 18:46

Sorry, have just seen that you mean his non-school belongings as he is boarding.

We're doing similar for DS1 (going to university) in that he has an additional set of bedding etc. When he comes home, he could theoretically just bring his phone, his laptop and his notes, and he'd still have enough stuff here to get by (bedding, spare clothes, toiletries etc.)

Oratory1 · 31/08/2018 19:27

Hi The Third, yup its personal things such as wash things, razor, towels, and enough jeans, T shirts, trainers etc and stationary supply so he doesn't need to bring anything home. I didn't disagree as if all he's got to bring home is laptop, books and homework there is some chance of that getting home. I have to confess his sax stays in school rather than lug it home which means he hasn't practised in about two years !!

Another advantage is if his games kit, uniform and casual clothes stay in school I don't have to wash them :):):). In fact on that thought I'm now tempted to send in him in with his whole wardrobe and some of his sisters !!!!!

farangatang · 31/08/2018 19:34

GGirl I am delighted for your DS! Glad the college realised their mistake in refusing him.

DD enjoying the last few days of holiday before starting 6th Form on Tuesday. School has BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy and the first morning is apparently getting all set up on the system and finding out timetables :-) Hoping the SENCO is around that day....

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 31/08/2018 20:31

Shiny new sixth formers strutting the catwalk...now I can only see The Inbetweeners fashion show with the infamous Speedos.

I shall think of all of yours at rugby training tomorrow as I settle down in my seat for the first Premiership match of the season.

The joy of no longer having uniform, PE kit, games etc to worry about, just endless tennis kit!

OP posts:
JufusMum · 31/08/2018 22:05

Ggirl so glad things are looking up for your DS.
Kingscote glad all went well.

Shiny new Sixth Formers fashion show...now there's a thought. DD has just purchased a bag and that is the final item. I'm still reeling from the MacBook purchase...a throwaway comment at the start of Year 10 and I had to follow through - they don't forget!

whistl · 01/09/2018 05:42

How do you all do it? You all sound so positive about your DC growing up.
I look over at my 6' son and think about the little boy he used to be and just wish I could have him back for 60 seconds so I could give him a hug.
Two years from today, I will be helping him get everything together so that he can leave home, and I'm already dreading it.

Cherryburn · 01/09/2018 06:17

whistl I have many moments when I feel the same, especially as DS is my youngest. But don’t think about them going to university as leaving home, the terms are short and they’re back for the (long) holidays before you know it!

veiledsentiments · 01/09/2018 06:37

School starts tomorrow here. Youngest got to do IT. But her teacher is a friend of ours. He said he's going to make it tough, and test them after 4 weeks. If she can't handle it, then she will have to drop it, and take up graphics. Fingers crossed. June 15th seems like forever ago.

veiledsentiments · 01/09/2018 06:39

And the eldest is off in a weeks time. Put that one to the back of my mind. I know it's only 3 months, and she's been away for longer. But this time it feels a bit weird.

whistl · 01/09/2018 06:59

veiled school starts on Sunday? Are you in the Middle East?

whistl · 01/09/2018 07:14

I know if DS wouldn't complete his transition into adulthood, then I will have failed completely in everything I've done for the last 16 years, but contemplating watching him go if so hard.
Cherryburn that thought- that it's only until Christmas- helps.
My mum said that it cut like a knife the day that I asked for my birth certificate. I'd been living away for a while by then and to me, I was just collecting the last of my stuff. But for my mum it was the moment she knew that it was completely over.

LooseAtTheSeams · 01/09/2018 07:17

Ggirl I missed your post about enrolment! So pleased it worked out and about the stationery shopping! He'll be fine now - look forward to hearing about his progress.
DS enrols on Monday then doesn't start till the week after. No suits needed here but I suspect he's after some new trainers that I have put in the 'yes, if you pay for them' category!

veiledsentiments · 01/09/2018 07:24

Yep. Middle of East. But keep it quiet. I know it riles a lot of people on MN.

Oratory1 · 01/09/2018 07:34

Whistl I feel some of that too and flip between proud of the man he is becoming and excited for the new experiences to share, and sad for the boy that is disappearing. And having shared every minute of his gcse experience I’m now only going to see him one night a week. Thank goodness for the long holidays. I second what cherryburn said the terms are so short they are home for long chunks.

I said I will miss the costa coffee and porridge I sometimes grab after dropping him off but he said he will come with me on Saturdays 😂. I will hold him to that to try to get an update of his week as once home it will be back to ‘what gave you been up to’. ‘Stuff’

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 01/09/2018 08:37

Those of us with teenagers still at home also struggle Hough. Sometimes I get 15 minutes in the car with her & I find myself rattling off questions about her day or week. I must give the impression she is in a job interview!

OP posts:
Oratory1 · 01/09/2018 09:23

Very true !!

whistl · 01/09/2018 09:35

I guess they are leaving one way or another, whether its physically going to live elsewhere, or just restricting our access to what is going on in their lives.

I understand it, and I don't want to invade DS's privacy.

I don't know what i am saying! I want what i cannot have and if i did get it, then it would be a tragedy.

BlueBelle123 · 01/09/2018 09:49

I understand where you are coming from whistl but I guess the trick is to fill your own life be it job, hobbies, friends so when they go the void won't seem quite so big......personally dreading DS going as he's the one that talks to me!!

Oratory1 · 01/09/2018 10:22

Whistl it’s great that you recognise it as a good thing even though you don’t like it and are not holding him back.