Corona Cohort’s Year 12 adventures

[FoolsAssassin]

We’ve made it into year 12 and rapidly approaching the end of the first half term .

Lots of challenges we could never imagined as we started the year but we’re all keeping on keeping on and this thread is for anyone who would like to jump on board to share the rather unusual journey this is turning out to be.

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@Piggywaspushed Hi Piggy. Sorry if I have mixed you up with someone else but I think you are a teacher? I just wondered if you would know the answer to this - when close contacts are identified at school, does the school automatically pass all the information to NHS T&T? Or does the school notify all contacts and not pass on the information so that there is no involvement on the part of the tracing service?

My DS was identified as a close contact of a positive case on Tuesday morning and was sent home from school - the school contacted me and gave me all the relevant instructions.

So I was surprised to get a phone call from NHS T&T last night to say he was a contact and had to self isolate - I wondered if it was the same contact or someone else (which seems unlikely as he only really goes to school or out with the rest of the family and none of us have been contacted).

I was pleasantly surprised by the NHS T&T call (given my low expectations following all the bad press) - they asked whether he had symptoms (he doesn't); explained to me what the symptoms are (surely everyone knows this by now?); explained that I needed to get a test for him if he develops symptoms; checked I knew how to book a test; explained that other members of the family don't need to isolate unless he gets symptoms and the importance of us isolating between him getting symptoms and test result; checked I knew how to get medical help if he suddenly becomes very unwell; told me about the local support available if the whole family has to isolate if he gets symptoms and are unable to get food or medicine; explained I might be able to get financial help if I can't work because I need to isolate and am on a low income. Also, they initially tried to call on Wednesday (so within 24 hours) and left a voicemail message but I managed to not notice the missed call and failed to pick up the voicemail.

The lasagnes look lush Ob. Your post has made me smile this morning, diversity at its best. And that our kids don't bat an eyelid. I too would not be sending my DH in - his unconscious bias is shocking.

I know the remainder of your post was more serious - keep going. There is light, even if it still feels a long way away.

I think the govt wants as much learning in school as possible partly because there is a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged students. People who do not have space, technology, quiet to work struggle. The impact has been very uneven.

I can understand that and I feel for the disadvantaged students. However, we’d just decided we’d take our two out of school the last week of term and then this morning one of the schools sent us letters regarding attendance and fines! It’s so frustrating when it would have made sense to close schools early to reduce the impact of Christmas mixing. But I do understand that some students particularly need schools open...

DS1 been sent home today to self isolate for 14 days. He has only been at school for 1 week after self isolating 14 days. This is his second lot of self isolation. This is just so frustrating a pupil came into school with symptoms and had even taken a test but was sent in anyway. He was in school this morning when parents phoned the school to say he was positive. 40+ pupils sent home when it should’ve only been 1.

Nard75 that really is shit; I’m so sorry this is all so inequitable on many of the DC here

That’s so annoying @Nard75 and seems to be happening a lot. I know ds’ headteacher sent an exasperated letter on the subject earlier in the week as there were 5 similar cases - either sent in whilst waiting for a test result or when another family member had had a positive result. It’s so selfish!

Better day today, DS managed to do a series of half hour sessions on psychology, interspersed with xbox of course, and is in college for a lesson just now.
As we still haven't moved house, it means I'm sitting in the car for 90 mins before driving him home again, but I get peace to read mumsnet and there's a good takeaway coffee near college.
DS will be exhausted tonight, but thats OK.

@Nard75 that is so irresponsible. Grrrr!

Ds1 is at St Andrews which has done an amazing job of controlling spread, 93 cases since start of September. Their policy is that the WHOLE BUBBLE has to SI whilst anybody in the bubble awaits a test result. DS has had to do that three times, but tests were always negative. Amazed that people think it is ok to go to school whilst waiting for results.

Yes...why would anyone go to school when they've had symptoms needing a test? As I said a few days ago...first case in our school this week. A year 9 (mine are years 7 and 12) To start with the school just asked those that had sat with positive person to stay home. But there was a lot of talk on Facebook about other children being close to this person. So now the whole of year 9 are off. It's a good idea at the moment. But if we get a lot more cases then it will be silly sending the whole year home each time.

We've had 2 similar Nard, and an exasperated Head telling us so. Twats!

An entire secondary school here has had to shut due to out of control cases, I guess they didn't send enough home after each case.

@Nard75 - DS also self isolating from today. School has had same issue with kids attending while waiting for results which are then positive. Even more annoying as DS was positive himself in September and followed the guidance to the letter. He’s not happy.

@estherfrewen This is all so frustrating because if everyone followed the rules it would be so much easier for everyone. DS1 was very upset when he got home yesterday another 14 days at home after only being at school for a week. When he goes back it will only be a week before they break up again. I really feel for all DC because it just feels like the situation at schools is getting so much worse.

@Nard75 - am not surprised he is so upset. Almost back to back self isolation is soul destroying. Our schools here have had a lot of cases across all year groups.

Sorry to hear about those isolating, it must be so frustrating. I'm amazed we haven't had any isolation spells yet. I'm mentally preparing myself for at least one of mine to have contact with a case in the last week of term and have to isolate over Christmas! That would be gutting.

@Nard75 how has your ds been generally? Is he speaking to you a bit more?

@crazycrofter Thanks for asking he has been a lot better recently but then self isolation came up again on Thursday which made him feel really low. Just trying to keep his spirits up but it is really difficult at the moment.

That’s such a shame, it’s hard to see your kids struggling. I hope he can pick himself up and keep going. Dd was very low this time last year (nothing to do with covid obviously) and it was a worrying time.

Hello all. I don’t know why I fell off this thread, find it so helpful. My year 12 was doing ok but came home early in tears today. Her form teacher is off with Covid. Her friend is off. She hasn’t been identified as a close contact, but she feels like it is everywhere. The step up from gcse to A level is hard.
The relaxation for Christmas has actually increased her stress. She wants to go to her Dad but he has a new baby and has asked her to self isolate for 2 weeks beforehand, but she doesn’t finish till18th.

She says she is struggling with comprehension. She has self diagnosed. with inattentive adhd. We are waiting for an assessment, I know better than to express my reservations. But I did suggest that probably lots of people at school would be feeling stressed right now . Then I made a chocolate cake.

We had surprisingly good results from the Bristol University research project into spread of covid in schools - 150 Y12s volunteered to take part and all were negative although we are going into tier 3 next week. DS has not had to SI yet (other than the stupid week off for a cold). We thought they would pick up some asymptomatic cases so we are feeling lucky.

Deep sympathises to those having to isolate, it’s a horrible rollercoaster for some. Such an unlevel playing field for so many. That must be really difficult Nards, it is horrible seeing them like that. Good news Monkey that no one positive , we need good news.

Christmas is causing a lot of stress for lots of people I think. We had to say to my elderly Father that we don’t think he should come down as too much of a risk with DC here . Didn’t go down too well.

Zebracat , that’s difficult with her Dad and the new baby. DD self diagnosed with ADD but now thinks she has dyslexia which I agree with and came out at moderate risk from university screening and now hopefully is going to be tested fully for it. Is there a chance it maybe dyslexia ?

DS had a good week, he is really starting to come out of himself and so lovely hearing him talk about his friends. The stress at the start starting to feel worthwhile (am hoping University transition easier as wouldn’t want to go through that again) and I think he is enjoying the academic side a lot too.

So pleased to hear @foolsassassin such a difference to your posts at beginning of school year!

Ditto Fools, a lovely update post to hear how your DS has changed for the positive in just a few months.

@FoolsAssassin that’s good news! It’s been a hard slog for you all, but sounds like it’s really paying off now.

Dd had a tricky couple of weeks as she’d started to feel quite uncomfortable in the small group she’d become part of. She said they were a bit bitchy and she didn’t feel she could be herself with them. This week has been much better, she’s started to transition to a ‘nicer’ group (from her perspective) and has managed it without upsetting the original group! She also got an A* in her RS test so is feeling positive!

Christmas plans are stressful aren’t they. We have the misfortune to have 8 siblings between us (4 each) so can’t bubble with either set of parents. Ds was quite disappointed at the thought of Christmas Day on our own as the Christmas period is always full of big gatherings and lots of board games. I’ve tried to mentally prepare him for the possibility we’ll be isolating anyway. If not we may bubble with a sibling or two but it won’t be the same as usual.

DD tested positive on Wednesday after losing her sense of taste on Tuesday night. DH now also positive so I'm isolating until 7th December. But if I get symptoms or test positive it will be longer of course. I have to say NHS track and trace have hunted us down very efficiently and the testing booking and turnaround has been excellent.

Neither are particularly ill so there is some silver lining. DS2 is annoyed to be at home and missing school but his online provision is good. It does mean we have to delay picking DS1 from uni by a few days but he's not bovvered. At least it doesn't coincide with Christmas...