Marguerite
Active Member
G'day, folks.
difficult child 3 had his second state exam today. He did a lot better, not so anxious. The exam supervisor (external; doesn't know him) was concerned about how he would cope today because the procedure for this exam is much more complex. Thankfully she did print out the routine for me so I went through it with difficult child 3 so he would know what to expect. He said he felt he did a lot better and even the supervisor came to me afterwards and said that he seemed to be much more on task. Normally the kids arrive on their own, there were no other parents on the premises that I could see (maybe one or two; none hanging around like me) but the school were fine with me being there, even the supervisor saw yesterday how having me there to settle him to begin with, was useful.
I sat in the computer room (it's a separate room off the school library where the exams are being held, I had to go in and out through the library at the back of te main exam room; difficult child 3 and the other three computer users were in another small room at the other end of the library). difficult child 3 had insisted on setting up my laptop with his computer lock. THis time I made sure we were there half an hour before the other students, to help him settle in. Normally this would not be permitted, but there seemed to be no problem. And as soon as he was settled I left them to it and made it clear to him - I was nearby, but he now had to manage on his own until after the exam.
I got a fair bit of my work done and whenever I was tiptoeing in and out, I could glimpse him and he was always working (not like yesterday). On one of my trips out of the library, I dropped in to the offie to ask for some paperwork for husband and the receptionist asked how difficult child 3 was going today. I said I was hoping he did OK, not sure if he would pass. She said, "Of course he will pass. If they've put in work all year, done all the assessment tasks and turned up to the exams, they will pass." I hope she's right, that will be a relief.
Tomorrow he has his final exam, computing studies. His marks so far this year for this subject are very high indeed. The room I was sitting in won't be available, that is where the kids do the exam. The supervisor was talking about putting difficult child 3 on a computer further away from the other students but I said it probably wouldn't matter for this subject - anything to do with computers, he simply tunes out the rest of the world. Unlike the last two exams, when even a dog barking outside, the ceiling fans blowing the exam papers and someone outside with a lawn trimmer, was causing difficult child 3 real distress.
No wonder I'm going grey!
As for the problems with yesterday's exam and difficult child 3 not being supported with his special provisions - we can't ask for the exam to be re-sat. If there are problems, they base the mark on the school's assessment mark. I already had a call in to the school's Special Education teacher, I'll talk to her about it. There are problems we have to sort out at least for next year's special provisions for him (when he has to do the remaining subjects he should have done this year - he's doing his schooling at half-pace).
So tomorrow husband gets to take difficult child 3 to school while I sit with easy child for her telephone conference mediation session with her former employers. It's all to do with her claim for wrongful dismissal. She's entitled to have me there for support and I think she may well need it, but I know more about it than husband.
For all of us, the stress should be over by midday. husband & difficult child 3 are travelling in by train then coming back to meet up with me. After that, we head home. If we have the energy (and it's hot enough) I will suggest difficult child 3 & I go to the beach. Then he has tennis, then I have choir practice.
No wonder I'm so tired tonight!
Enjoy your Tuesday, everyone.
Marg
difficult child 3 had his second state exam today. He did a lot better, not so anxious. The exam supervisor (external; doesn't know him) was concerned about how he would cope today because the procedure for this exam is much more complex. Thankfully she did print out the routine for me so I went through it with difficult child 3 so he would know what to expect. He said he felt he did a lot better and even the supervisor came to me afterwards and said that he seemed to be much more on task. Normally the kids arrive on their own, there were no other parents on the premises that I could see (maybe one or two; none hanging around like me) but the school were fine with me being there, even the supervisor saw yesterday how having me there to settle him to begin with, was useful.
I sat in the computer room (it's a separate room off the school library where the exams are being held, I had to go in and out through the library at the back of te main exam room; difficult child 3 and the other three computer users were in another small room at the other end of the library). difficult child 3 had insisted on setting up my laptop with his computer lock. THis time I made sure we were there half an hour before the other students, to help him settle in. Normally this would not be permitted, but there seemed to be no problem. And as soon as he was settled I left them to it and made it clear to him - I was nearby, but he now had to manage on his own until after the exam.
I got a fair bit of my work done and whenever I was tiptoeing in and out, I could glimpse him and he was always working (not like yesterday). On one of my trips out of the library, I dropped in to the offie to ask for some paperwork for husband and the receptionist asked how difficult child 3 was going today. I said I was hoping he did OK, not sure if he would pass. She said, "Of course he will pass. If they've put in work all year, done all the assessment tasks and turned up to the exams, they will pass." I hope she's right, that will be a relief.
Tomorrow he has his final exam, computing studies. His marks so far this year for this subject are very high indeed. The room I was sitting in won't be available, that is where the kids do the exam. The supervisor was talking about putting difficult child 3 on a computer further away from the other students but I said it probably wouldn't matter for this subject - anything to do with computers, he simply tunes out the rest of the world. Unlike the last two exams, when even a dog barking outside, the ceiling fans blowing the exam papers and someone outside with a lawn trimmer, was causing difficult child 3 real distress.
No wonder I'm going grey!
As for the problems with yesterday's exam and difficult child 3 not being supported with his special provisions - we can't ask for the exam to be re-sat. If there are problems, they base the mark on the school's assessment mark. I already had a call in to the school's Special Education teacher, I'll talk to her about it. There are problems we have to sort out at least for next year's special provisions for him (when he has to do the remaining subjects he should have done this year - he's doing his schooling at half-pace).
So tomorrow husband gets to take difficult child 3 to school while I sit with easy child for her telephone conference mediation session with her former employers. It's all to do with her claim for wrongful dismissal. She's entitled to have me there for support and I think she may well need it, but I know more about it than husband.
For all of us, the stress should be over by midday. husband & difficult child 3 are travelling in by train then coming back to meet up with me. After that, we head home. If we have the energy (and it's hot enough) I will suggest difficult child 3 & I go to the beach. Then he has tennis, then I have choir practice.
No wonder I'm so tired tonight!
Enjoy your Tuesday, everyone.
Marg
