Entrance Exam on Saturday!

[Nathair]

Hi all, forgive the random post, but I feel the need to chat with those who understand the indie world
The entrance exam for the school my DD really wants is on Saturday. She has to be dropped off at 8.45am and picked up at 1.45pm and she must take a packed lunch with her! They start with English comprehension, then maths, then VR, then lunch, then a 30min English essay
It was her primary school's informal parent's evening/afternoon thing today, and her teacher mentioned that the indie had written to her and asked her to fill out a form. One of the questions was if she felt my DD was exceptional in any area, the teacher said that she was, in writing.
DD does love writing stories, but she takes her time, she drafts and redrafts and redrafts...... I'm now panicking that they will expect her essay to be fantastic, but actually by the time she gets to it, she won't do much in the time and it will count against her more than if the teacher hadn't mentioned it??
Am I being totally neurotic? (It's okay to say yes ) or could this actually happen?

And why does no one warn you during prenatal classes the stress that schooling choices will cause!?

[SunlampVexesEel]

Am I being totally neurotic?

Yes

[mad?]

not being neurotic but...no don't worry...all this will mean is that if your DD has a disaster in the writing part of the exam the fact that her teacher said it was a strength may well mitigate against it!

[Nathair]

Am I being totally neurotic?

Yes

Thanks, I think someone had to say it!

not being neurotic but...no don't worry...all this will mean is that if your DD has a disaster in the writing part of the exam the fact that her teacher said it was a strength may well mitigate against it!

Good point! That's the way I'm going to (try)to look at it

[zorro]

My son's school had to send in a report prior to his interview - I think that's pretty standard.
I think it's a bit tight making them bring a packed lunch!!!!
Good luck to your daughter.

[Nathair]

I think it's a bit tight making them bring a packed lunch!!!!

Especially considering that this school does not allow pupils to bring packed lunches, all pupils must eat food purchased from the school refectory!

[T.i.p.s.y]

Don't worry Nathair, exceptional is subjective. What you need to remind her to do is to act friendly and confident and a team player when they are not in the exams. She will be observed even when she thinks she's not. No shyness, if at all possible!

[Thea]

Nathair - please don't worry! I do understand your anxiety. YOur DD will perform differently under pressure and the chool will not expect a perfectly executed essay! It IS a tremendous help that her present school has identified an area of exceptional strength - can only be positive. Just give her a nice lunch of her favourite food, and take her to the cinema/ice-skating/something she likes afterwards (pref with one or two friends who have not taken the exam ), and then pretend to forget all about it and PLEASE come back & tell us how she got on...Good luck!!!!!!!!!

[Nathair]

Thanks all! I really appreciate the support from people who understand how crazy all this school stuff can make you My OH is so laid back he is practically horizontal and I don't know anyone else with children at grammar or indie.
I'm feeling rather more chilled than I was earlier, a glass of wine helps quite a lot too
I will, of course, be back on Saturday to agonise again. Fortunatly I don't think the wait for results is very long; only a week or so, as we haven't applied for any other consortium schools. Then it will be another few weeks (if she has passed) before we find out about the bursary.

[Ed's mum]

I'm glad that you are feeling a bit calmer. It's a stressful situation to be in. Hang in there!