Current Year 11 2021/2022 support thread pt II

[StColumbofNavron]

Thread for those with Y10s finishing July 2021 ready for Y11 in Sept 2021.

All welcome.

So glad to hear the operation went well @Silkieschickens - I hope you're making a good recovery.

It all seems up in the air at the moment. I said on another thread that I think we'll be in for a short sharp wave which will disrupt school further but hopefully it will settle after that. Might be too late for learning by then of course. Feel very sorry for our dc as grade boundaries are expected to go up too this year.

So pleased that your op went well @Silkieschickens

Not a great deal of school work going on here though I am trying to get him to do a little most days. He has been added to the geography group but not added to the homework assignment so seems likely he will have to do that the day before they go back to school (if the teacher sorts it out on the teacher training day at the beginning of term). Assuming they go back that is, dreading the possibility of school at home again, even with the live lessons it just doesn't work for DS. Covid has scuppered our Christmas day plans (not us, them) but hey ho, never mind I managed to get a delivery slot for tomorrow (this morning!) so we will have lots of food!

Hope everyone has is enjoying the break and has a lovely Christmas.

Hope you’re recovering ok @Silkieschickens.

End of term report was good for DS and he has made small improvements in most subjects. I helped him with a revision timetable and so far so good as he’s ticking off the subjects for each day and telling me what he’s done. Full 2 weeks of exams after Christmas of the whole syllabus for each subject that they have been taught so far.

@IThinkIMadeItWorse I’m also dreading the possibility of school at home. Fingers crossed.

Merry Christmas all

Merry Christmas all. Just recovering from operation here, going well but need to have fluid build up drained tomorrow then NYE then results on 14th then radio next I think.

DD is doing lots of socialising, really hope she will be allowed in even if close.

I lost the thread. Hope that everyone has had a reasonably peaceful few days.

We’ve been very lazy but Ds1 needs to get his alternative sixth form application done in case he decides to move (unlikely I think) and produce his timetable and get back to revision!

We're in the throes of revision - Mocks start first day back. It's DC's birthday this week and they originally said "no revision" on either that day, nor on Christmas Day. Well, books came out 10pm on Christmas Day (their choice), and it looks like they'll be birthday revision too.

We always knew that this "holiday" wouldn't be a holiday at all, but it's been really tough with a couple of panics/meltdowns. Will be glad when they're over.

Also in the throes of revision here too although ds did have a few days off over Xmas. Lots of gaps and unfortunately he won't be ready, noticeably for English and Music. He'll just have to do his best and see what the feedback is. I'll be glad to see the back of them but also aware that there will be continuous testing now so also feel a bit sorry for him.
He has to wait for his predicted grades before he can apply to the alternative sixth form although is likely to stay where he is if he gets the grades.

Lots of socialising going on here, next mocks not until March unless plans change and other than odd one or two. DD applied to Kings Maths School after we discussed it and decided it was not viable transport wise but she passed the maths test and has an interview so about a 50-50 chance of being offered now. Other sixth forms think the school manages the applications and will be done shortly, just current school and a very competitive large local one. DS in year below is really struggling. I am recovering well from operation but just as I came round they told me I may need another one plus radio plus hormone tablets. Hope that means no chemo but think it depends on results which I get on 14th January.

DS1 applied for his alternative sixth form if he doesn’t stay at his school last night. It’s large, not attached to a school and competitive and he just wouldn’t write anything that bigged him up too much. It asked for his proudest moment at school and he is often described as an exemplar and has won and achieved lots but he said it made him sound like he was full of himself. Fine for sixth form applications but he wants to work in global law, so he will have to learn to make himself sound as amazing as he is. He opted for history, politics and Spanish.

School are insisting their form is done in PSHE and everyone has to apply, which is useful. He is applying for Classics as well as he liked the dept. A number of local schools form a group so they have lots to offer.

Today, I need to get him some to do his revision timetable and get back to it.

@Silkieschickens wishing you a speedy recovery and no chemo. Well done to DD, is it workable if she does get a place and loves it or impossible? We have had two friends apply, not sure if they got an interview but I know they didn’t get in but are very happily doing maths at uni and the other is getting offers for a computer science course that has a way snazzier name than that.

I don't think its really a viable option as its 2 hours commute each way. Only way it would be viable is if DD did not socialise but she is a very social person and gets depressed if she does not socialise. If DH drove her could cut times down to 1.5 hours each way but that is difficult if I am still having treatment and also her brother often has issues and DH is working as well and would make him late for work. She thinks she can work on tube / train but she does not realise how busy they will be in rush hour. The only thing is her friend also has an interview, if they both got in and could go together but have only spoken online. We have a very academic sixth form here which can match it academically and much easier commute. Its just very big and pastoral care isn't said to be great and they kick out a lot which would not be her but not nice. Other option is staying at her current school which is lovely pastorally but smaller and less academic. I bet they will offer her a place and she will want to go. She said 800 apply there is a maths exam and 150 get an interview for 70 places. But she said it 50/50 male female with far more boys applying and its adjusted at interview stage towards female applicants and at offers stage and she also would interview well unless it goes to video as she hates video. I think I read the other day that girls now outperform boys on the maths A level results. The students all look so sensible and studious on the photos and she is quite lively though she does discuss maths a lot but can't see her doing straight maths at university.

An 2hrs each way is an awful lot. I think you are right, the compromises are quite significant and 100% tubes and trains and busyness. Both the applicants I know felt the experience of exam/interview etc was worth it for its own sake anyway.

@Silkieschickens when we visited Kings Maths School and were waiting for ds outside, there seemed to be a mixture of kids. Some had just met and were chatting in groups and seemed sociable. Yes, I think as a young woman she'd have the advantage in offers. It has great links with Kings (for lectures etc). The only thing I'd think about re; going there is whether she's street wise.
Good luck with your results on the 14th.

Ds panicking today - too much to do and running out of time. Have advised him to concentrate on the first few exams from Weds-Fri next week plus catch up in music and English.

@Silkieschickens glad to hear you are recovering well, fingers crossed for no chemo needed. I am stunned that your DD thinks 4 hours of travelling each day might be possible, surely no sixth form is worth that when there are good options so much closer to home! Sorry to hear your DS is struggling.

Sympathies to those who are facing mocks straight after the holidays, very glad that DS has his next set in early March (assuming nothing changes the plan). He seems to go into "holiday" mode at home and trying to get him to do any work at all is a bit of a battle, I have just reminded him about his drama portfolio and he has taken his chromebook into his room in a grump with lots of huffing and puffing. The drama teacher has said she will help him with it in his free periods next term but it would be good if he could at least finish his first draft!

Happy New Year, hope we all can continue to support one another through 2022 whatever it brings!

Yes I think the exam and interview will be good practice anyway but really can't see its a viable option - shame as its an ideal school but there are perfectly good options here with more like 30 minutes door to door commute, a friend group, time to socialise, very safe area, great results etc. She is streetwise but does get hassled by men on the tube etc. Was just discussing yesterday strategies for dealing with them and she said I will just tell them I am a lesbian and I pointed out that would only encourage them and better to say they remind you of your dad / granddad.

Hope everyone has a good New Year and good luck with the mocks for those that have them.

Happy new year to all, it's slightly scary to think that our children finish school this year when it is only 2 minutes ago that we delivered them to the foundation class for the very first time!

DD has become almost nocturnal, in fact before Christmas, I had steroid induced insomnia and was getting up before she had gone to sleep. I have made her get out of bed this morning to complete the homework that was set over the holidays and to tidy her bedroom.

DH is going to work from home tomorrow and so she won't be able to access her computer (she does have a MacBook as well but that's so rubbish and can't possibly be used) so she needs to plan ahead.

DS1 has done nothing and said he will get back to it once they are back. I trust in that, but I also don’t see why he could spare an hour or two out of ALL DAY to do small amounts or at least plan for when he is back.

Happy New Year all!

My DS is back to school on Thursday and finally did the tiniest bit of school work yesterday. He has his Spanish mock oral next week so really hoping he pulls his finger out and does some prep for that. Just remembered he also has his drama performance really soon. I hope they get some leniency for that as they seem to be missing one of his group at every rehearsal.

Good luck to all those who have mocks starting this week or next!

DS was theoretically online today, I did some work but don't think he did anything, back in tomorrow but they are saying school may need to shut years soon as 20% of staff off with covid in December and can't get supply teachers. Also said they will be blending classes.

DD I think is testing tomorrow nothing online and back Friday. Really hoping she at least can stay in school esp if goes to teacher assessment but who knows atm. The hospital seems to be really struggling and getting delays even with cancer but they don't seem to be doing anything to help.

DD has gone back to school this morning, homework completed and ready to hand in. Wednesday is her least favourite day on the timetable though so she was quite Eeyore as she left.
I've pointed out that tomorrow is her favourite day though because she gets to spend most of it in the art department.

DS was very keen to go back to school today - was awoken by the smell of toast at 4.30am and he left an hour early. Doubt there's any study involved in his plans but good he is so keen to get to school. DD back tomorrow, think she is out with friends again.

We only have LFT today. They have to wear full uniform which is slightly annoying.

Only DS3 back at primary, the other two are still in bed as their test slots are not until later. I’ll be reminding DS1 that he is back to it today!

DD had to do a home LFT test this morning which we needed to upload on the school portal but they did supervised tests yesterday for pupils that wanted them.

I hope it's been through school during Nov/Dec when it seemed like everyone was ill and they get a clear run to the summer.

DD apparently never made it out this morning, DH just found her half asleep in the living room with the rabbit on top of her licking her. She just has LFT today though doubt it will be in uniform.

DS has gone back today after going in for a test yesterday. Pleased to hear that he's not the only one who was avoiding work in the holidays. I did manage to get him to do a bit more on his drama portfolio after a lot of nagging. I think it needs quite a lot more work but he is very good at procrastinating. He has drama this afternoon so hopefully will get some help and guidance (and a kick up the bum) from the teacher.

The geography teacher never did add him to the holiday homework assignment so I think he will have to give him an extension. Still can't quite believe he didn't notice DS wasn't doing any homework for an entire term! We missed two teachers from parents evening at the end of last term as they were off sick so wondering if they will contact us or we should chase them for comments. Fortunately one was the Physics teacher so really not too worried about that as one of his strongest subjects.

Feels like there is not much time before we will be facing real exams (if they happen, still feels uncertain) but at the same time lots of things between now and then, his sixth form applications are done but not yet sent off, in Feb sixth form "guidance meetings" and (hopefully) offers, more mocks in early March, entry for Statistics, etc etc. Still so much uncertainly about, I was somehow expecting things to be clearer by this point!

Ds in the middle of mocks here. Biology and Physics he said were ok, maths made some mistakes, Geog and English Lang he found harder. Bulk of the exams next week so he's got to get his head down this week. He's been asking me to test him so I'm knackered too!