Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
A fascinating talk from Nick Basannavar (OH 2004) kicked off the week for the Third Year boys in Assembly, giving them cause to consider the extent to which diversity and inclusion are represented fairly through the medium of technology. Nick gave some thought-provoking examples, ranging from driver-less cars to automatic taps, and encouraged the boys to think positively about changes for the better.
On Thursday, the boys learnt more about selecting their GCSE options, more information regarding which has been sent to parents, and also the Hampton Extended Learning Project (HELP) Level 2, more information on Firefly. HELP projects are strongly encouraged for Academic Scholars, but all boys with a keen interest in exploring a particular topic or field in more detail, alongside their academic studies, are encouraged to apply.
We hope that our North American families enjoyed a peaceful Thanksgiving on Thursday and we continue to give thanks for the continuing good health of all members of our School community. Meanwhile, #Lockdown2 is drawing to a close next Wednesday here in the UK (not that much will change in the Third Year bubble here at School), by which time we’ll be in December and 2020 will almost be in the rear view mirror. Two weeks of term remain (Ed – but who’s counting??).
Heads of Year Message
A quick notice about clothing on Thursdays: Third Year boys are allowed to wear Hampton sports kit all day on Thursday, including additional layers underneath if it is cold. This does not include non-school tops or hoodies, although boys may wear a coat to travel to and from school.
We encourage all Third Years to pause for a few moments of reflection over the course of this weekend. In the hurly-burly of a busy term, it is easy to lose sight of what we are achieving and what we still want to achieve. With two weeks to go until the end of term, there is still time to meet the goals you set yourself back in September. Could you still do any of the following?
- Try a new co-curricular club
- Speak to a teacher about a topic you are struggling to understand
- Improve on a skill or technique in Sport, Drama or Music
- Contribute to your Form in the Interform Challenge or Form Charity planning
- Make progress on your Arts Award or sign up to complete a HELP project
It is also worth recognising the achievements of the term so far. As a Year Group, we have been so impressed with the calm determination of the boys to continue their education in unusual circumstances. Perhaps it is simply evidence of one of the advantages of being young; that you are highly adaptable. Yet it is also testament to the nature of this cohort, who are showing impressive characteristics and qualities as a collective.
With two weeks left of term, reports to be published at the end of term, and conversations to be had at home about GCSE option choices over the Christmas Holidays, there is a lot still to do. But we wanted to take a moment this Friday to say well done and thank you to everyone for your sterling efforts so far this term.
Best wishes
Mr T. Rigby & Miss V. Smith
String Concert
Many congratulations to Ishan P, Gabriel P, Edmund N, Harry S, Declan G whose performances in the String Concert were broadcast this week. Some superb musicians in this select group, and some great performances, well done indeed, chaps!
Inter-Form competition
The Third Year Interform Competition is back! The next event will be a Form Penalty Shoot Out.
Details:
Next Thursday 3 December lunchtime.
Starting at 1.10pm – no admittance to 3G before this time.
Middle section of the 3G.
Teams of 7 per Form – all others welcome to spectate.
Each Penalty taker has one opportunity to score a goal for his Form.
1 Point per goal scored.
Get practising over the weekend!
London Youth Games Virtual Cross Country
Mr Clark has put some information on the Cross-Country noticeboard about the Nike London Youth Games Virtual Cross Country event that is running from now until Saturday 6 December.
Any keen Third Year runners are encouraged to take part! Please check the noticeboard first and then either email Mr Clark to let him know that they are interested, or drop in to his office for a chat.
More information can be found here:
london youth games Virtual cross country
Linguistics Olympiad
Preparation for the UK Linguistics Olympiad starts from today! The UK Linguistics Olympiad is a school competition, much like the Maths Challenge but with all the problem data taken from language. A typical problem presents some words or sentences in one of the world’s 7,000 languages and asks for further forms or meanings, so competitors have to crack the code; a particularly popular kind of problem applies code-cracking to an unfamiliar writing system.
The UKLO is open to anyone in the Third Year and above, and beginners are very welcome. If you are interested in taking part, please go to the UKLO page in the Classics area of Firefly, read the notices and sign up using the Google Doc. Miss Winstock will then get in touch later on in the term.
To find out more and have a go at some of the problems, take a look below:
J14 Rowing
The Third Year rowers are still beavering away, learning their trade on our picturesque stretch of the Thames! See for yourself!
12 Days of Christmas
Form Charity Organiser, Mrs Samuel, has a message about an exciting charity event taking place in the run up to Christmas:
In the current circumstances it is hard to run our normal charity events, so we are starting the Hampton School 12 Days of Christmas initiative which is the perfect way for all of us to demonstrate the spirit of the season.
So, what are Hampton’s 12 Days of Christmas? Take a look below to find out:
Tuesday 1 December: Foodbank Collection /Tinned food (soup, tuna, vegetables, fruit, meat, beans)
Wednesday 2 December: Friendship – we take a moment to be thankful for our friendships and show our appreciation
Thursday 3 December: Foodbank Collection / Rice or Pasta
Friday 4 December: Bring in a chocolate bar / for chocolate gift bags for local community organisations.
Saturday 5 December: Good Deed – Boys and Staff encouraged to exhibit kindness and complete a good deed
- Cook dinner for your family
- Take out the recycling
- Walk your dog
Sunday 6 December: Gratitude – write a thank you card to a friend or a family member
Monday 7 December: Giving: support Form Charity Quiz & The Big Give
Tuesday 8 December: Foodbank Collection /Shampoo, shower-gel, toothpaste
Wednesday 9 December: Christmas Wish / hang your wish on the Christmas Tree
Thursday 10 December: Foodbank Collection / UHT Milk
Friday 11 December: Christmas Spirit: Mufti Day in aid of Form Charity / wear your Christmas Jumpers & Hats etc.
Saturday 12 December: Commitment / commit to doing a good deed during the holiday
You’ll find out more about this from your Form Tutor next week!
Question of the week
Congratulations to Flynn H, Matthew P, Monty N, Tristan T and Oli C who all guessed Mr McTernan’s Classics question from last week correctly – the right answer was a whopping 1600 years! Make sure you ask your Form Tutors to give you a merit, boys!
Come back next week, for another tricky conundrum!
