Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
Another busy week on the co-curricular front, from MUN and quizzing, to The Wizard of Oz and a very exciting ISFA semi-final!
MERITS
It is great to see a long list of you that have reached merit milestones this week! Fantastic work!
Natty T – 10
James M – 10
Tom H – 10
Thomas H – 20
Sam C – 20
Oscar S – 20
Max M – 20
Harry B – 20
Jake E – 30
Louis S – 30
Joel H – 30
Columbus C – 40
Adam G – 50
Isaac C – 70
Umar K – 120 (Mrs Owen is running out of gold stickers!)
TEACHER OF THE WEEK
This week Toby (2J) interviewed Head of Spanish and 2J Form Tutor Mr Aucutt
What did you do before you became a Spanish teacher?
I worked at Nando’s for a little while, but apart from that I have been a Spanish teacher since I left university.
What did you want to do when you were younger?
When I was younger, I was keen to run a language school. That way I could live in Spain, speak Spanish all day and enjoy the sun!
If you had to teach any other subject what would it be?
I have taught French in the past, but if it had to be a subject that wasn’t Modern Languages, probably English.
What’s your favourite place in Spain?
My favourite place in Spain would have to either be el Los Picos de Europa (a mountain range/national park) or El Boquerón (a bar in Madrid).
Lastly, if you could describe yourself as any sandwich which would it be?
Probably a cheese sandwich with pickles; the cheese is classic and smooth whilst the pickles add a bit of spice.
FOOTBALL
On Saturday the U13B footballers played a great match against Wilson’s School coming away with a 7-1 win. Meanwhile the U13C team played a friendly against Gordon’s School winning 11-0. Well done boys!
This week the U13A team played away against Aldenham School in their ISFA semi-final. It has been an amazing run for the team and they were disappointed not to come away with a win, but they can certainly be very proud of how they played and their many successes this season!
Charlie (2J) tells us more about the match:
On Monday, Hampton U13A team travelled to Aldenham to play their ISFA semi-final. The first half was great, we held out against a clearly amazing team, and even managed to have some chances of our own. The ball fell to Jay C outside the box which he struck at goal… but the keeper saved it. We continued to attack but nothing came. After half time we had a burst of energy – but so did Aldenham and they proceeded to score a wonderful goal. We went to kick off and in no longer than two minutes they had scored again. Mr Trivedi brought on Freddie P, Rudy M and Charlie H. Charlie crossed the ball into the middle but it was just missed! Aldenham scored another but we kept our heads up, but with 5 minutes to go they took a brilliant shot which, unfortunately, Sam E couldn’t save. 4-0 full time.
JUNIOR QUIZ TEAM
Adam (2B) reports on what happened after the quiz team try outs a couple of weeks ago!
After try outs for the quiz team, ten boys made it into the lower school quiz squad. From Second Year there were seven boys selected; they were Jack R, Ronit R, Ben W, Avinash G, Henry F, Thomas D and myself (Adam G). Since selection, there have been three trial sessions held for boys to gain an understanding of how the quiz format works as well as to help the teachers choose a final four to participate in the Inter-Schools Quiz competition held on the first Thursday back from half term. The standard is very high and with only one practice session to go, everyone stands a chance of making the squad. Well done to all involved as well as the three First Years also selected.
Sounds like great fun, good luck to everyone!
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Rishi (2J) tells us the latest MUN news!
At the weekend, we went to LEH for a MUN Conference. Representing the countries of Canada, China, Germany and the USA, we debated many interesting things from digital privacy to human trafficking. The weekend ended well with Canada, China and Germany winning delegation awards and many individual awards for us.
Well done to everyone that took part!
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Next week, after months of hard work, The Wizard of Oz will hit the stage in the Hamond Theatre! Edmund (2H) lets us know how final preparations are going.
It’s only a week to go and rehearsals are well underway. Working backstage, I don’t get to see all of the rehearsals but it really looks good. We’ve got to the point where we are now getting the last few bits together like the set and props, as well as lighting and sound. Why should you come and watch? Well, for a start, we have a lot of Second Years pupils as actors, as well as the fact that some of the backstage crew are also Second Years (although you shouldn’t really be seeing us!) Furthermore, it’s such a cool experience and the tickets are discounted for pupils.
See you there!
Creative Writing Awards
Are there any budding authors out there? It’s time for the annual Creative Writing 2020 competition! To enter, write a story opening of no more than 750 words and submit a printed version to the English Office by 9am on Thursday 27 February.
You could win a place on a Creative Writing Masterclass with published writer Sara Grant. Book vouchers are up for grabs too, and the winners will have their writing published in this summer’s edition of Lion Print, Hampton’s Creative Arts magazine. All information can be found on the Firefly section for the Creative Writing Awards (links below):
All information can be found on the Firefly section for the Creative Writing Awards (links below):
creative writing awards brief 2020
Have a listen to Second Year Isaac’s winning entry from last year’s competition:
[vimeo-grid]
If you have any questions, please speak to your English teacher.
No Limits Week
Next week is “No Limits Week” and all Second Year pupils will be encouraged to try a new club. Have a look at the Co-Curricular calendar over the weekend, what do you fancy trying in the last week of this half term? Maybe pop along to Psychology Club and discover how fascinating the human brain is. Pick up a new sport and have a go at Badminton, Table Tennis or Rock Climbing. Feeling a bit more creative, try your hand at Architecture or Drama Club. The sky’s the limit!
