GCSEs 2019 - support thread part 2

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Here we are again

Previous thread in case any newcomers want to do some background reading!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/a3349548-Are-we-ready-for-a-GCSE-s-2019-thread

Hello! thanks for the new thread....

Signed off on DD's GCSE list today so she's entered for the right subjects - eek!

DD also met with head of 6th form who ok'd her A-level choices so hopefully (barring disaster - and to be honest even with a disaster I'd like to think as the school know her they would be understanding - wishful thinking??) thats all in train now too.

Just marking my place

Hello there.

Thank you for the new thread!

Ds1 will have to commute for the first time in his school life for 6th form. Early starts and long days, sadly.

But it's the best option for him and tbh the other 2 options are pretty much the same distance away.

Mocks results on weds...eeek!

Place marking

Ooh, another thread already. I wonder how many we'll fill before gcses actually happen?! Place marking too!

DD has just been given the mock results she deserves, i.e. good in the subjects she revised and mediocre where she didn't. I'm pretty pleased really that it made such a strong link between revision and results, as I think she's been pretty complacent, so this hopefully will be a bit of a wake up.

It is a lot and also the school's priorities are not necessarily theirs, e.g. they are pushing DD to do better in geography that she'll probably already get a 7 in, and she won't do again, when she would rather spend the time on getting her maths and A level subjects up, but the school is obviously interested in their grades rather than what makes sense for individuals.

Yes to Boxsets - We are working through ER - memories, memories, but all new to DD. She is trying to take Kovac away from me. Not having it, he was mine first...... anyway..... enough of that.

DD and me, have signed off on GCSE's, and put in her ALevel choices.

School pretty laid back on revision and homework, which is welcome.

This week she has three nights out, she is going for some counselling for her anxiety in the hope it will help her sleep, an information evening for her Berlin trip at half term, and a careers evening at the local boys school.

Next big dates for work related stress, are the GCSE drama scripted performances and her Lamda exam both in the same week mid March. Super planning there by the school, not.

Well, I'm sure this isn't the "correct" advice but I'm advising ds1 to concentrate on the subjects he needs to get into 6th form and do the a levels he wants.

So PE and eng lit aren't getting much attention!!

Here you all are! This thread (well the old one) moved very quicky!

DD had interview at college yesterday. This is for her most favoured (currently) BTEC choice. Interviewer was surprised at her grades (mock/predicted) that she would choose to do that course, which isn't helping my head with BTEC vs A Level snobbery!! DD very happy and is busy trying to decide where she wants to do her 1 day/week work experience should she do that course.
Tassomai is progressing - i purchased the paper 2 for biology (as that is what will be covered in Feb mocks), and after a week of doing that each day she has asked for the same for chemistry and physics. Hopefully it is helping to hammer home the basics and terminology.
DD has interview for previously preferred BTEC (but think discounted due to travel time to this college) week before half term, and parents evening also that week.
Prom dress was bought 2 weeks ago - and she's now fussing about make up/hair/tan/nails and the order of getting those done and when!

flatmouse Prom dress bought here too...... priorities you know

DD more concerned about getting contact lenses (glasses look really odd with long dresses) and shoes she can walk in .

Older DD wears glasses and they look fine with her dress - she would look strange without them! We have discussed contacts but she is a little eye squeamish so i can't see that happening any time soon!!

Shoes she can walk in will be a challenge - she has never worn heels and during dress try on's used a pair of the shops with maybe 1" heel and struggled!! She could probably wear some kind of flats but think she hoping for small solid heel and practice!

Prom dress bought here and make up booked with some you tuber 🙄 hair still to be booked!

Glasses look fine with a long dress as long as the glasses look fine with the person normally.

No prom dress here yet, we are planning to start around Easter and go for getting it from one of our many charity shops in the region. DD2 has a lot of friends who come from very low income families and they have all decided to do it that way together - we're going to try to shop as a gang, 5 girls and 4 mums (DD2's gf's mum does not want to come because she disapproves of the relationship what with her being a homophobic twatbag).

DD2's revision drive is paying off, recent tests in science and maths are showing much better results. Onwards and upwards!

Drama scripted performance is next week, getting that over with will be a load off her mind. Her devised is done, her portfolio is done and she absolutely shines in the theoretical side - she might get an 8.

Ds1 is refusing point blank to attend the prom :(

A lot of his friends aren't going so he doesn't want to.

Destiel same here, ds not remotely interested. No mention at all of prom. Friends don't seem bothered either. That's fine as long as it's not blind panic two weeks before when he suddenly decides he wants to as ' everyone's going'

My niece went last year - same school. She had dress, hair, nails, tan, make up and 'prom date' all well sorted by now!

We've got prom dress, most expensive bit of clothing I've ever bought in my life. I'm trying to persuade DD that it will look good with Converse!

Thanks for the new thread :-)

Arghhhh prom! Mine have just been given the date of their prom, lots of gnashing as they haven't yet decided whether they want to go or not (depends on whether friends are going of course). The procuring of outfits will be very traumatic, neither are keen shoppers but both are spectacularly fussy I love the idea of trainers with formal dresses btw. I think at least one of mine will want a suit rather than a dress - is a black tux too severe for a 16 yr old girl?

We've had mock results back and kids seem generally pleased with their results. No parents' evening but a written report some time soon.

Can't advise on the tiredness, mine are constantly saying they're exhausted and they probably are... but typical teens they stay up late and no surprise so they are tired. They do sleep in late at the weekend, so hopefully they can catch up a bit on their sleep.

Trying to persuade them that we'll do a couple of days out during the Feb half term, rather than going away for a break from it all. Hopefully I will be able to find something to lure them with.

Mocks results day!

We went to a shop that sells "end of line"/seconds, so dress was alot less than i had expected. Really don't understand the need for her paying to get make up done - she's been practicing for last 3 years!!! Similarly no need for fake tan - not much skin on show and she tans naturally - however as most of the girls will apparently be orange (her words) she feels she would look whiter than normal.

Drama scripted not til start of March but lots of pressure on rehearsing it - impacting on other subject revision - and drama teacher has her own unique way of encouraging the pupils (screaming at them, belittling them and generally being rude to them and telling them they will all fail).

I'm still quietly concerned about sixth form choices and am trying to push for more research into planned future career to ensure she is following the right path. Is so niche though - i'm hoping people who are currently doing it will be happy to talk to her and advise. However we don't know these people so it will be a case of cold-calling.

Destiel and Von, it was a bit of a relief to read that about Prom as DS is the same. DS said he is not interested in going to Prom and his friends have not mentioned it either. I was worried he was avoiding it as a group of boys would be there who have been particularly unkind to DS in the past.

Maybe it is just a boy thing after all.