Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
As we heard the fantastic news of a Covid-19 vaccine being rolled out imminently across the country, and reflected on the amazing work of the heroes who have helped to make, test and deliver this vital step towards a brighter future, it seemed fitting that this week’s assembly was dedicated to our very own Hampton Heroes, right here in our community. The Third Year boys watched some intriguing interviews of the Hampton cleaning and IT staff, as well as the School Keepers, all conducted by our School Captain and Vice Captains. We all remain hugely grateful for the work that they have done to keep our community functioning smoothly and effectively over the course of 2020. Thank you!
Thursday’s PSHE session was a chance for the Third Year boys to test out their new oracy skills in a variety of debates that made for compelling viewing! The boys have come a long way since the start of their oracy course and will undoubtedly have learned much about the art of communication, something they can put to great use in the future.
Heads of Year Message
Third Years have a lot to look forward to with a week to go until the end of term:
- The rearranged interform penalty shoot-out competition
- Culmination of the “12 Days of Christmas” Form Charity initiative
- Christmas Lunch
- Mufti-day on Friday
- Term ends at midday on Friday
With the prospect of three weeks off to relax with families over the holidays, we wanted to remind the boys to maintain their composure over the week ahead. So far this term, the boys have maintained a diligent approach to academic study alongside a necessarily considered approach to safeguarding themselves and other members of the School community. It is vital that the sensible behaviours (and the principles of mutual respect and cooperation that underpin them) that have helped us through this term endure into the final week. This will allow for us all to reach the holidays in good health and good humour.
Well done for your efforts to date; enjoy the final week sensibly!
Best wishes
Mr T. Rigby & Miss V. Smith
Ph-abulous Physics!
Caleb L and John S tell us what they’ve been getting up to in their Physics lessons this week:
The topic we’ve been learning about recently is the electromagnetic spectrum. We were split up into groups and Mr Fuldner gave each group a different part of the spectrum to present to the rest of the class. We decided to write a song about our chosen part of the spectrum. The song was about infrared radiation. The song we were recording came at the end of the presentation and was very funny to play in class. The lyrics consisted of some literal facts about the form of wave on the electromagnetic spectrum and also some lines which weren’t lies, but they were mainly just mostly irrelevant lines to use rhymes and make the song work.
Take a look at what Caleb and John came up with:
12 days of Christmas
With our traditional Christmas community and charity events unable to take place this term, the School has been running Hampton’s 12 Days of Christmas to encourage Hamptonians to show their generosity of spirit and kindness during the festive season. Between 1 December – 12 December, pupils will be encouraged to think of others and carry out acts of giving and kindness.
The Third Year boys have already been demonstrating their charitable natures by donating tinned items, rice, pasta and chocolate to local food banks this week, as well as showing their appreciation for their fantastic friendships that have been fostered through the close-knit Hampton community.
Thanks to you all for your fantastic contributions so far this week – a brilliant effort by everyone!
Day 2 of Hampton’s 12 Days of Christmas was all about Friendship – let’s find out what Hamptonians think makes a good friend:
This weekend, we’re asking the boys to focus on doing a good deed and also showing their gratitude to a friend or family member.
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 the 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
InterForm competition
The Third Year Interform Penalty Shoot-Out was sadly postponed on Thursday due to inclement weather. It has been rearranged for next Thursday 10 December and details are TBC.
To whet your appetites, here’s how the Interform points table currently stands. Lots still to play for!
| Form | Teambuilding | Cross-Country | Total |
| 3A | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 3B | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| 3C | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| 3D | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 3E | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 3F | 8 | 8 | 16 |
| 3G | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 3H | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 3J | 9 | 7 | 16 |
Lost property
Any boys who have lost personal belongings should check the lost property container at the following times before the end of the autumn term:
- Friday 4 December, 12.35pm – 1.45pm
- Tuesday 8 December, 12.35pm – 1.45pm
Lost property is located on the Hampton High side of the car park between the M-rooms and the Pavilion changing rooms.
As with the School Shop, pupils must ensure that they observe social distancing at all times, including when queueing. Face coverings must also be worn.
Music Department – Christmas update!
A message from our Director of Music, Mr Roland:
To replace our Christmas Concerts this year, we have been busy recording the various year group bubble ensembles and choirs to put together our very own musical advent calendar! You will be able to listen to highlights each day on Twitter (@Hampton_Music). The full performances will also be uploaded to the School YouTube account here
We hope you all enjoy!
We are also in the process of finalising our Festival of Carols (involving around 100 pupils, recorded in their separate bubbles). This will be coming out next week and I will send you all a link nearer the time.
Merry Christmas and hope to see you all soon!
Bebras Challenge
NEWS FLASH! Mr Stockdale reports:
In Computer Science, our Bebras Challenge results are in! A quarter of a million pupils took part across the country this year and our Third Year pupils did really well.
The boys faced challenges based on common problems computer scientists meet and solve. The questions are tough and the average score nationally was 65 out of 200 points. Across our Second and Third Years, Hampton boys averaged 110 out of 200 points. Approximately 80% of our boys were in the top 25% of pupils in the UK and an impressive half of our pupils were in the top 10%. Those in the top 10% nationally are eligible to take part in the more advanced Oxford University Computing Challenge next year.
These results are testament to the logical thinking skills we see boys demonstrate in school and their creativity and determination when solving difficult problems. Particular congratulations go to Tejas S (3A), who scored the highest possible mark of 200 out of 200 points, and to Oliver H (3G), Jake E (3C), Yangzi T (3D), Adam S (3J) and Rajat M (3E) who also scored very highly.
We look forward to supporting all the Third Year boys as they continue to develop their problem solving abilities throughout this academic year and beyond.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge
The Fitzwygram Foundation is well on the way to achieving its Big Give Christmas Challenge target of £25,000. All funds raised will enable us to increase the number of completely free places at Hampton for boys whose families cannot afford any School fees.
If you would like to join in and donate, please visit the link here.
Question of the week
For the chance to earn another merit… This week’s question is Christmas themed!
How many Christmas gifts are given in the Christmas Song Twelve Days of Christmas?
