Thread 3: Continuing to GCSEs Summer 2020 - Happy New Exam Year!

[OrangeCinnamon]

Continuation of previous thread
Thread 2

Thread 1 Year 10

At the end of last thread there was a bit of talk on prom dresses ( recommend Fonthill Rd in London if you can get there) by @proggymat and @crazycrofter

@TigerMum had a query regarding moving to foundation level at this stage.

Sorry peeps thread progressed without me noticing so none can reply to your queries!

I’m another stationary provider, printer outer and provider of specific snacks.
I don’t pay for Tassomai etc as DD prefers to use her own handwritten notes and whatever she finds on YouTube.

PiggyWas That is the best.
DS doesn't appreciate offers of help but will sometimes ask me to proof read as he does tend to read what he thinks he sees there not what he has actually written. Yes he has been reminded to use spellcheck but google drive spell check is pretty dire. Snacks are always appreciated.

@ChristopherTracy I’d be interested to know what video revision resources you use for future reference?

We use Mr Bruff for English and this whole stream of science lessons - if you google your subject then your exam board then loads of them come up.

I used to get a bit down when I read posts about other children not needing any help and wondering what was wrong with my ds but actually I am effectively tutoring him and I'm not embarrassed about that - he doesnt learn by reading, he has to have it spelled out and most other people in his year have had actual tutoring from Year 7 in maths, English and sciences but we thought that was ridiculous so I'm happy to do this intensively until May. It's worth it for me.

Absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about ChristopherTracy. I think it’s great he will listen to you, my Dd could have really done with help but wasn’t really prepared to listen to anything I say.

Luckily DS had Tassomai heavily reduced through the school otherwise I would be well pissed off that he won’t use it,

The one thing that ds has refused to do which is annoying is any of the language vocab learning apps - that would be so bloody beneficial but you have to choose your battles dont you.

Yes absolutely you do have to pick your battles!
Letter came from Child Benefit today asking what DS will doing next year and where. Resisted the urge to send it backed marked ‘wish I knew’ and put down one of the local options. Still waiting for interview for the second local option which apparently will be next month.

I don’t help dd, no pushing her, no encouragement and no supplying snacks. She does it by herself, attending 2 after school revision classes (English and science) and revising when she feels like it. She’s had a friend over tonight, was nice to see her relaxing and doing normal teenage things with no talk of exams.

I've given up trying to help DS, he knows everything and won't listen so I just wait til he asks and then join in. It just ends in rows otherwise.

Had parents evening last night. Generally very positive most believe he can pull his grades up (although I think the Chem and french teachers have their doubts and his Physics teacher is horrible and I didn't get a chance to ask any questions).

They all seemed to have very strong plans in terms of what will be happening revision wise which was reassuring, and most seem to be offering drop in sessions / additional after school classes as required. I was delighted to hear that they WILL be doing extra French listening classes - yay!! Apparently everyone did pretty badly in it. I'm still praying that the rumours are true and they mark it a bit easier this year!

What language learning apps do people recommend? In particular for the Cambridge IGSCE.

We're going away in half term and, other than French, ds can't see what work he'd actually do. I don't want him missing out on skiing if he doesn't have to (so effing expensive) but it seems like it's the done thing to spend this half term revising. It feels a bit early to me.

What will others be doing?

Here's to everyone's DC getting some much needed rest over the coming half term. DD planning on prepping for the 3 x languages for GCSE testing after hols (I think it's orals, not 100% sure) but not much else, she thinks it's still too early. I don't get involved, as so far, she has managed time well. I don't post much on her results as I know it can be frustrating for those who need to input more, but as ChristopherTracey's post, they are all different and it's all relative. My input is more supporting her social challenges with friends and acting as uber help with her extras c's. And pacifying teachers' concerns of her 'doing too much' with risk of burn out.

I think this is the reason why she is able to multi task so efficiently. She is never top in any given subject, but does well enough to stay under the radar, by working quickly. Not sure if this will work as well when it comes to A levels, but then I am hoping a more forgiving timetable will enable her to spend more quality time on the chosen subjects also, so it all nets out.

Patience, not sure what she uses but know there are a few school recommended apps for languages...I will ask later.

or is it aural!

I have to say my DS is now at the point where I’m almost more worried that he’s too calm and positive about everything (ha, never happy, are we?). Mock results and teacher feedback were all really good. DS seems pretty positive. They’re doing lots of tests and assessments in class too now and his stock response to any query is ‘yeah, think that went all right!’ I’m slightly worried that we are venturing into “complacent” territory. Hope I’m wrong.

@PatienceVirtue we are away for half term too and not planning on DS doing much in the way of revision if I’m honest. I don’t want him bored/burning out too soon.

DS now has his timetable for the real exams. 9 GCSEs. 24 exams. 24!! Seems bonkers. Very glad that he’s not at a school insisting on 10 or 11 subjects, presumably some dc must be taking over 30 exams

DS is doing 10 GCSEs and has 23 exams. I ope I haven't missed any?!!

hope, just practising my french accent

I was jist pissing by this thread...

Listen carefully, I shall say zis only once...

Good moaning. Ze fallen Madonna with ze big boobies?

for us all (French obviously)

😂

I wish either of my children had taken French - I am no use to them with Spanish...

Ditto Miranda: I actually did Spanish GCSE, but in a year; a long time ago; and I'm not at all sure how I scraped an A: I'm delighted dd (Y9) has decided to go dual languages although suspect her French may eclipse mine soon!
I was trying to describe 'allo 'allo to the kids last week (admittedly after watching 1917): "Ummm, that sounds pretty unpleasant, racist and sexist' was the response: which is probably pretty fair!

Oh @Mirandawest do you want to swap households? I am/was fairly fluent in Spanish but my French is abominable (said in 'allo 'allo accent). My younger ones are doing Spanish and it makes me realise what a bonus it is to be able to help them and try to have little conversations - very little since they resist but I'm working on it. DS had the choice and I really wish now I pushed him to do Spanish. I do think French is particularly hard for those who find languages challenging. Spanish is at least easy to pronounce.

Ha at the idea of explaining 'allo 'allo. You should try them on Mind Your Language next. Oh how we laughed at the funny foreign people and their funny foreign English.

I'm not fluent in Spanish or French, please come to my house first Miranda!

Staying on the 'French farce' theme, does anyone know if the French and German GCSE 'review of grades' will 'kick in' for the forthcoming exams?