O/S Daily Thread Friday 29th August

System

dandy-candy wrote: »

Been having a difficult time here. As I mentioned last week DS2 had bad AS results - 2 D's and 2 U's. He did excellently in his GCSEs with 4 A's, 1 B, 3 Cs and a D; from a boy who was have SENCO support and has had depression issues. Anyway the school had a policy that you can't retake a failed subject but as he really wants to do Biology he asked if they could make an exception. They said no. So he asked if he could redo the subjects he got D's in to improve his grades. They said no because he would already know the work?? (One was maths and the subject teacher said she was happy for him to redo the year) So he asked could he do different subjects and they said no because he didn't have GCSEs in those subjects (he had done all sciences, maths and languages at gcse) then they just said you better go somewhere else.
This is a school that has police out every term and knife crime etc (welcome to London), and both my sons have attended and been quiet polite boys, hard workers and constantly getting certificates and praise. I was utterly gobsmacked.
We've managed to find a college that will take him on a six week trial for Biology and if he does well he can continue, but I'm furious with his old school and will send them a stinking letter - but as DS2 said not until we have a reference for the college from them! What a sad end to a 11 year relationship with our local school.

What a rubbish school. Sorry but it has to be said.

peony40

dandy-candy wrote: »

Morning all

Sorry for lack of posts, and apologies to anyone who I have missed out in hugs and welcomes.

Judi- I hope little one is better today and that it was a one off
Hester- your poor DD, it took me 37 years and the death of my mum to realise that my dad didn't really give a damn about me. I don't crave his approval anymore!

Been having a difficult time here. As I mentioned last week DS2 had bad AS results - 2 D's and 2 U's. He did excellently in his GCSEs with 4 A's, 1 B, 3 Cs and a D; from a boy who was have SENCO support and has had depression issues. Anyway the school had a policy that you can't retake a failed subject but as he really wants to do Biology he asked if they could make an exception. They said no. So he asked if he could redo the subjects he got D's in to improve his grades. They said no because he would already know the work?? (One was maths and the subject teacher said she was happy for him to redo the year) So he asked could he do different subjects and they said no because he didn't have GCSEs in those subjects (he had done all sciences, maths and languages at gcse) then they just said you better go somewhere else.
This is a school that has police out every term and knife crime etc (welcome to London), and both my sons have attended and been quiet polite boys, hard workers and constantly getting certificates and praise. I was utterly gobsmacked.
We've managed to find a college that will take him on a six week trial for Biology and if he does well he can continue, but I'm furious with his old school and will send them a stinking letter - but as DS2 said not until we have a reference for the college from them! What a sad end to a 11 year relationship with our local school.

Rant over, have a good day all, there's always hugs here if you need them xx

I have never heard the like. I thought the school would have encouraged retakes. In my time at school children often did retakes. With their attitude I would think college would be the better option for your son, more encouragement. I wish him well.

Sorry for my absence but very busy with trying to sell a house and all the associated legal work. I did not realise how much hard work is involved with selling, if I did I think I would have stayed in my current home always.

Peony x

System

Sorry for my absence but very busy with trying to sell a house and all the associated legal work. I did not realise how much hard work is involved with selling, if I did I think I would have stayed in my current home always.

Many hugs. Just come back to us when you are able Peony.

My kids school have always been pro retakes too. They also encouraged taking exams early. 'Youngest' took several of his GCSE's in year 10 and retook them in year 11.

Moorhen

Just logging back in to send hugs to Dandy and her DS.

What an awful way to be treated.

Peony Fingers crossed for the keys.

cazmcf

I second what judi said, dandy.

My car is out of petrol (silly me). So single walks with the dogs today. Just took one out, the walk goes round the back of my house. My house is on a hill and the bank is covered in blackberrie bushes. I didn't realise until today and with all the talk of berry picking I've been more aware. Unfotuantlely most of it is unaccessable, but I reckon I could reach some, theres even some poking though my fence! Could anybody push my in the right direction to learn how to make blackberry jam?

Lilyplonk

:wave: again folks - back in again while the oven is warming up for Rhubarb Crumble :drool:.

dandy-candy - so sorry to hear about your DS's problems with the school after his exam results - that's absolutely disgusting :mad:. See how he goes with the College which may be a far better environment for him - I'm sure they'll be much more supportive. When the time is right, I'd be writing to the School Board of Governors (addressed to the Chairperson) to make my complaints, as well as the Head of School. Might also be a good idea to make your feelings known to a couple of Local Councillors who are on the Local Education Committee. There could be others like your son who might benefit if you make enough 'waves' to make them re-assess their policy on re-takes.

busiscoming - I know exactly what you mean about those 'fasting bloodtests' - I usually 'leg-it' to the Hospital Canteen for a Bacon on Toast straight afterwards :rotfl:.


DS2 asked me to put a 'Wanted' on Freecycle/Freegle for a Chicken Coop/Rabbit Hutch for his new allotment. I had a response within 40mins from a lovely lady who needed to get rid of a 'Duck Shelter/Pen' - couldn't believe our luck. What a kind and generous person :j :T!


Still got 'The Bouncing Billy' and looks as though he'll be here until tea-time, at least :eek:! He's already had a breakfast of porridge - followed by half a bag of mini-mallows from my baking supplies - in an attempt to keep him occupied . He'll definitely be climbing the walls by this afternoon .

Off to put the crumble into the oven - fingers crossed :drool:.

speak later - luv Lilyplonk xx

elona

Just got a phone call to tell us DH has two hospital appointments next week in Leeds as well as a scan in York on Tuesday so looks as if things are moving. Gulp!

Made leek and potato soup for lunch and loaf is in breadmaker then nipping off to Leeds with oldest for a couple of hours.

Might do baked fish with veg tonight as nice and quick and get more fresh fruit while we are out.

Hester

I did not think anything your ex did would surprise me but I was wrong - he sounds lower than a snake's bum or whatever the saying is.

Peony

Wish you had not reminded me of the dubious joys of selling a house as we will be downsizing as soon as we can.

Crossing fingers that bread will be all right as I have had some very weird loaves recently and it is annoying me. Trying to think calm serene thoughts but usually a cross old bat so not easy.

Hugs to all

Maitane

Good to hear that your DH is being seen quickly Elona. Fingers crossed for your loaf too - I hear you about weird loaves at the moment.

Dandy-Candy, that's awful about your DS, I hope he hasn't lost his love for the subjects too much. :mad: Is there nothing they can do with special consideration?
If he was performing well but the exam let him down, it's just awful - I could rant about this kind of thing for hours but let's just say that my personal opinion leans towards more constant assessment to allow students to not be let down by a bad day on the wrong day. As Lilyplonk has said, perhaps college will be a much better move for him.

Colleges are so much more supportive whilst providing a more adult experience, strange sounding but I certainly found it the case when I moved from a so-called good secondary (I spoke better Spanish than my Spanish teacher and still do) to Sixth Form, I found tutors who loved their subjects and I was far more prepared for the way University worked when I got there.
Friends who didn't go on to uni and found apprenticeships or went on to work also felt the same way about how much more prepared they felt after receiving advice on their options.

Sorry for the little rant, access to appropriate education is one of the things I'm quite 'passionate' about.

I'm currently waiting for the most bargainous wine case in the world to arrive - I managed to get 6 bottles of rioja for our garden party for £2.46 a bottle after ignoring a particular wine club for some time. The only thing is I really want to jump in the shower (I decided to cook before washing my hair hence the late showering) but I know the second I do, the knock on the door will happen!

In the meantime, I need to stop 'exercising' by walking to the fridge, opening the door and staring in. Don't know what I'm expecting to see in there after the last trip... Does anyone else do this or am I just finally going crackers?

[Deleted User]

Good Afternoon everyone, just waved DD1 and He Who Knows off to drive back to her home and I'll be taking the hound out in a minute. ELONA good that they are acting swiftly for your DH, that says to me that they think some treatment will be effective so is a sign of hope. Wishing you both all the luck you need for this to be the case and standing beside you in spirit to give you strength while it's all going on pet.

It's a funny day weatherwise down here and can't make its mind up what to do so we've had sun, dull, blue sky, overcast, rain, drizzle, windy gusts and flat calm all in a couple of hours, still I suppose at least it's not boring eh?

Paid a trip toW8rose this morning as DD needed some shopping and picked up some very good reductions for both of us my best find was a nice lean piece of brisket for £4 and hers some really lean Ox Cheek from the butchery counter for £3.18p can only be good.

Have yourselves a good afternoon all, Lyn xxx.

LameWolf

nmlc wrote: »

I re-organised car insurance yesterday afternoon so DS1 is now able to drive my car – eye wateringly expensive but at the moment I need someone to take me or go in a taxi – at least he can take me where I need to go without the need to trouble everyone else. I’ve paid for the whole year – so he’s going to pay half towards it. Also it means that I can get out from the house – even if it’s just a ride to the local town and I sit in the car whilst he goes and does a few errands.

Don't forget, if you need to get groceries, that a lot of SMs have wheelchairs available to borrow. A wee tip, if you do use one (I use my own wheelchair, obviously, but this still applies) if you only need a few bits that will fit in a basket, it's easier for the person pushing you if you have a basket on your lap rather than a wheelchair trolley.;) I only ever get a wheelchair trolley if we're getting a lot of stuff.

cazmcf wrote: »

Yesterdays trip to the animal shelter was an eye opener. So many cats and kittens needing homes, I'm so tempted to take some home. The kittens that were 6 months old were only the size of 12 week olds. They've obviously been hungry in their short lives. Not too many dogs. Most off the dogs get shipped off to England every few weeks. Apparently the English aren't as fussy as us. Shame on us. I start next Thursday.

That explains something - one of my regular guests was a stray rescued from the streets in N.I.