End of a strange Autumn Term

[Daisy]

I think most schools are breaking up today (Friday), and I'm wondering how your school-age grandchildren have fared with all the bubbles, restrictions and new routines. Have they been sent home because of others having positive tests? Have they been separated from their friends? How have they coped with it all?

[Mimi]

DD had an email early Monday evening saying that Tuesday would be the last day at school and not the planned Friday. Christmas parties were hastily arranged for Tuesday with each party being within their own bubbles.
'Fun' school work would be online for the Wednesday through to Friday for pupils aged 6 and over .

DD said that a lot of parents were finding it difficult to get child care for those few days as they still have to work. It isn't a problem for DD as she doesn't work plus SIL works from home and even he has started his Christmas holidays sooner than usual.
They live in Wales so I suppose the rules are different there , our neighbour was up early this morning taking her little boy to school

As for bubbles and restrictions, older GS , aged 10 is so laid back nothing seems to bother him and youngest GS, aged 4 doesn't actually realise that school life has taken on a different routine as he only started school in September

[Gemini]

Today is the last day at this school for my GS1 as they will be moving to a new area in January. He is quite emotional about it really. He had a lovely card and messages from classmates and staff yesterday.

GS1 finishes his first term in reception today. Like Mimi's GS this type of schooling is all he knows!

GD keeps her feelings close to her chest, but I know she has worried about covid. We didn't tell her my mum tested positive until she was out of the isolation period.

So far (fingers crossed) there have been no cases in any of my grandchildren's bubbles, so they haven't had to stay at home.
None of them had to be separated from friends at school. They all just got on with it all really.

[Oma]

My oldest GS was in isolation the week before last as someone in his class tested positive , its happened a few times ,
At 16 its more not seeing his friends its a big thing at 16 , he has done a lot of online lessons this year , he hates not being able to see us more than anything

Its been a strange year that lots of children have had to adapt too it .
I do hope by next summer life will be back to normal for the little ones .

[Plantaholic]

I think this pandemic has affected the teenagers badly, disruption with their schooling and not being able to meet their friends.

[Clover]

My GS is having to isolate as one of the others in his Geography mock O- level tested positive . Luckily F had finished his written exams but had to do his practical cookery at home! His year will be going back to school in January a week in advance of the rest of the school along with the others taking exams this year.

[Daisy]

Clover - what bad luck for F, but perhaps doing his Cookery practical at home wasn't too bad.

Oma and Plant - I agree it's affected the teenagers very badly. It's the time when their friendships are an important part of their lives, and even having all the social media gadgets at their disposal doesn't make up for that personal contact.

Gem - how lovely that his teaches and class mates marked your GS2 leaving. I think a lot of children have been quietly worrying about Covid.

Mimi - well done to your GCs' school for re-arranging the parties so quickly.

[WeeGranny]

HE has been in isolation since last Saturday when someone who took him to football tested positive. His school had to close on Monday because they didn't have enough teachers to cover all the lessons. As long as the fridge and cupboards have food in them,he seems to be able to cope with on line learning!

[WeeGranny]

HE should read GS!!!
He does find missing his sport and friends difficult to cope with though.

[Daisy]

My GS1 has had about 3 days in College. They moved the course he had enrolled on from a local college to one further away which he couldn't travel to. He's doing as much as he can remotely but he's got very little chance of getting a pass grade, poor lad.

GS2 is in Year 11, like several others here. He missed the first 2 weeks, isolating before his dad's cranial angiogram. He was back for about 3 days then his bubble got sent home because one pupil had tested positive. Then last week the whole year group got sent home. Some were allowed back after a couple of days, but not GS2's bubble. He comes out of isolation on Monday.

GD1 was very upset initially at not being able to see all her friends at break and lunchtime, but she's got used to the new way of things now, and now she's got a phone she can keep in touch more easily out of school. GD2 was in tears today as she loves school and doesn't want to be on holiday, so I think she's got used to the way things are.

[Oma]

Gs1 is the same Clover , going back a week earlier ,
This year is exam year and its messing them up awfully ,

GS1 is a A grade student , but I feel sorry for the kids that struggle , They will be having a really tough time of it .
My DD keeps telling him how lucky he is and to help anyone he can who may be struggling .

Daisy your poor GS a bad time to be starting college , is there any chance he can get into another college nearer for the course ?
Poor kids don't know if they coming or going at the minute and missing friends bless them ,

WG GS is missing his sports his football is on/ off constantly , no matches a few training sessions then nothing at all , so frustrating for them .

[Daisy]

My GS2 goes back a week earlier in January because of his exams. He's not in the A grade league, but he's doing ok and should, all being well, get enough good passes to go into Sixth Form.

Oma - GS1 is enrolled at the college nearest to him, and reading between the lines they have had staffing problems in his subject area - not surprising, you can earn a lot more out in industry than in teaching - and that's why they transferred the skill part of his course to a bigger college in the same group. A lot of the course was distance learning anyway and that wasn't made clear when he applied for the course.

Your poor GS1 - it must be hard to keep his football skills and fitness levels up to speed when everything is off and on like that. Plus missing seeing his mates and all his social life.

[Sunshine]

My DD was very happy to be able to email every parent/carer to thank them for all contributing towards the success in keeping her school COVID-19! free for the whole of this autumn term. It was only by everyone committing to doing their part in protecting themselves and others from this horrible pandemic. Her team also worked very hard to protect everyone from coronavirus. What an achievement!

[Nanto2girls]

Sunshine, it certainly was a big achievement. Well done to everyone.

[Daisy]

Sunshine, I know your DD puts her heart and soul into her school, and it’s great that she and her team have kept the whole school safe and well. ❤️❤️