Year 9 - 2022/2023 Support Thread

[QueenMabby]

Hi
Having got a lot out of the thread for my ds who's just finished year 11 I though I'd start one for anyone wanting support/chat about dcs in year 9 from September.

Some schools will be starting GCSE syllabi this year and for those that don't there'll be options later in the year.

I have a dd starting year 9 in September. Her favourite subjects are languages and chemistry. We've not taken gcse options yet - that joy is to come.

@QueenMabby - oh, definitely no top-ups for DS - doesn’t stop him nagging though (we have been here before )

His sister did a girls in STEM day last year as part of DofE. They went to an investment bank, had a nice lunch, and she brought back a goody bag. She didn’t seem to come away with any insights though about investment banking 🤣.

@Circleoffifths - 🤣
DD's is at a university so hopefully it'll be something practical. Her favourite science is chemistry so 🤞🏻.

She's also signed up to do the Crest Silver science award one lunchtime a week.

Oh I’m glad I’ve found this thread! My ds has just started year 9. His school has allowed them to drop some subjects already, he’s dropped Spanish, Art and Music (which he is very pleased about!) And he is starting Classical civilisation.

So far so good. I’m hoping his maths is better this year, it’s the one subject he really struggles with. Unfortunately it’s one of the most important 😬

@MissyB1 - my dd has dropped art too. A shame as she's not bad but she's kept music so has one "practical" subject at least. There are only 12 or 13 in her music class though. When ds did music in year 9 there were two full classes!

DD's had a busy old week. Any others with dc who over-schedule? She loves all the activities and clubs and signs up for everything and then gets stressed over not being able to fit everything in/get homework done at a reasonable time etc. I foresee a few meltdowns ahead!

@QueenMabby we have all the overscheduling - especially since she has to do her music GCSE afterschool so that takes out another day. She's in a class of eight for that (but only 12 for dance and 15 for latin in a state comp so it's not like it is as much of an outlier as it looks). Can't say she's sad about dropping art - though I think a bit about food tech and not taking sociology.

Lots of clubs not even back yet and we're already wondering how she'll fit it all in.

@minisnowballs - we had our first tears last night over feeling stressed. She ended up missing a sports club to do homework which is fine but she would have had plenty of time to do both but she just gets so overwhelmed. Any tips??

@QueenMabby I always know dd2 is stressed when she starts making schedules 'to fit it all in'... they do help her to do this, but it shows she's doing too much and she starts doing things like 'get up at six am to shower and do my practice,' which is mad.

I think sometimes they are relieved when you forcibly take something off them (it's like they can't do it for themselves) but it's really hard when they love it all and you want them to have opportunities to try everything. No easy answers. It does ease off as they get older I think (but then they just socialise like crazy).

Hi 👋

Ds2 had just started Y9.

He's quite anxious about options. He's currently thinking about history, sociology and graphic design. No idea about the other one but school are keen for him to do triple science - which after my experiences of ds1 doing it I'd say its really not worth it unless you want a further education in or a career in STEM.

It won't be MFL which he loathes.

Well we had a year 9 parents information evening last night. Presentations from the pastoral lead, academic lead and careers department.
The school are cracking down on discipline this year and there is a whole new consequences system. I’m pleased about that as year 9 is quite important, and distractions and disruptive behaviour need managing firmly.
They made it clear that the level of work required is quite a step up this year, that they will be looking for much more depth in pupil’s answers. There will be a big onus on self discipline and self motivation.
I’m slightly worried about whether ds has the maturity for all this 😬

@Chevyimpala67 - the whole gcse options thing is a minefield isn't it? Ours do Single sciences if you want to do all three or double combined science of you only want to take up two gcse slots. DD has more GCSEs she wants to do than there are slots so I'm anticipating some fun times at options time!

@MissyB1 it's good that they're cracking down on behaviour and encouraging the children to take responsibility for themselves. Y9 is such a transition year and it's best that they get any last niggles out of their system before the gcse years proper.

I was somewhat relieved by DD's agreement that it wouldn't be a good idea to take DofE. She has no lunchtimes free and only one day with no after school activity (and she does a sports club on that night) so she really has no space!

She has four vocab tests next week so this weekend will no doubt be taken up with revision. Fortunately she uses blooket (sp?) so I think Greek will be the only one I have to help with as I don't think it's in their system.

@QueenMabby it is a minefield indeed!

Ds1 did triple science (huge amount of content, hardly any of it lab/practical based) as he planned to do biology A level.

However, after going to the 6th form college he changed his mind. He really wishes he hadn't done triple now.

No option of single science, sadly.

Re: activities;
Ds2 has just given up piano 💔
But he's keeping on with his youth am dram group.
His gymnastics group stopped during the first lockdown and hasn't re started ☹️

@Chevyimpala67 - I have a ds at sixth form. He did all three sciences and is doing two of them at a-level.

Dd plays piano (and cello and sings) - it takes up a lot of time but they are a real passion of hers and not something she would give up I don't think.

@QueenMabby it’s interesting you mention D of E, I always thought it would be good for ds to do that, but I’m suddenly changing my mind. I think it would potentially be a lot of added stress. Im keeping quiet at the moment but at some point we are going to have that discussion.

Mine has just done her DofE application - I'm not too bothered - her sister did it (and Silver) and you can often use stuff you're doing anyway - so school sport and music, as well as volunteering such as Brownies (if child is a Guide) or similar. We didn't find it time-consuming except for the two expeditions.

To be fair it's the expedition that puts off dd - she's more of an hotel kind of girl! 🤣

Her school does a sort of mini EPQ for year 9 and that's definitely more her thing. She can't do both - not with all her other things on.

How is everyone getting on? DS is busy accruing detentions at an increasing rate for not doing or half doing homework. Have asked him if he just loves spending extra time at school as that is how it seems he’s in detention so often. 🙄

Homework ramping up, organisation NOT ramping up. Tendency to join ALL the clubs only getting worse...Plus hormones.

Not a winning combination this weekend. Hoping things will recover later this week...

Yes homework definitely ramping up! Trying to make sure he doesn’t get behind in it. He’s staying late at school for rugby club tonight, so I’ve told him no moaning that he’s too tired for homework!!

Oh @Circleoffifths - I had to laugh at that! Maybe suggest he moves in?? I hope the detentions trigger a change of mindset!

@minisnowballs - us too! DD got approached to do a LAMDA public speaking thing - all she had to do was email the head of English with her lunchtime availability.... no chance! She has a club every day and two on one of the days! She was gutted as she wants to do it and is now talking about doing it in her own time at the weekend!

Our homework ramping up too. Her biology teacher set three lots last week! She has bio and chem tests this week.

Otherwise she's having a lovely time. School's always been a happy place for her (for which I am eternally grateful!) and she generally loves learning. Just have to keep an eye on the stress levels.

Ds1 has joined another drama group at school.
So two performances next Spring! 🙄
Not masses of homework yet 🤔 but went to a careers fair today.

Only just caught up with everyone’s posts. Seems everyone has had a good first few weeks back. Bar the detentions for @Circleoffifths DS.

@Chevyimpala67 interesting what you’ve said about sciences. My eldest 2 did triple but youngest doesn’t enjoy sciences so wanted to do double. It used to be that double science still covered all three but just two-thirds of the content and gained 2 GCSEs. They’ve now changed so that it’s full content of two sciences. Given she doesn’t really like any of the sciences she doesn’t know which would be better to drop. I’m disappointed that it’s changed to this as I think she’d be much better off still studying all 3 but to a lesser depth. I’ve no idea what their rationale has been for changing.

Choices at our school are fairly limited. Theres nothing a bit different; it’s the basic subjects -
maths, 2x English, 3x sciences, 3x MFL, history, geography, RS, computer science, Art, Drama, DT, music, Food. They have to do maths, 2xEnglush, 2x science & 1x mfl. Then add others to make 10.

Oh...thats strange Re: sciences 🤔

Ds2s school.do a range of options and 3 vocational qualifications.

So things like fine art, sociology, psychology, graphic design, drama...

The vocational qualifications are in child care, car maintainance and a Computing qualification.

He doesn't have to do mfl which he is very glad about

Well we got a message from the school yesterday to say year 9 boys are having a special assembly today about their attitude towards the girls! I asked ds about it and he said there is a small group (about 5) boys who are making sexist remarks to the girls to wind them up. Ds has rightly distanced himself. Little sods though! 😡

Lets hope the message gets through! Personally I would inform their parents.

Ooof @MissyB1 - maybe there's something in the water?? Dd says there's been some trouble with the boys in her year too.

Definitely agree on involving the parents. We've had a school email about behaviour and absence so definitely some finger wagging going on!