Welcome to the Third Year Blog!

Now hang on, it can’t be half term already can it? Oh go on then, if we must…! The boys were delighted to hear the bell at 4pm on Friday afternoon and dashed off to go and enjoy a well-earned break!

Despite being the final week of half term, there was no shortage of goings-on in the Third Year community. Monday’s Assembly saw the boys watch some fantastic presentations on potential charity candidates for Form Charity this year. The votes are in and we look forward to the successful charities being announced in due course.

On Thursday during Form Tutor period, the Third Year boys discussed their plans for socialising over half term, and the advantages and disadvantages of in-person vs. online socialising. There were also discussions on how to socialise safely and the boys came up with some excellent suggestions – nice work, everyone!

Meanwhile, in other news outside of the Hampton bubble, former Beatle Paul McCartney recently dismissed The Rolling Stones as a “blues cover band”. Stones’ lead singer Mick Jagger retorted, “One band is unbelievably luckily still playing in stadiums and the other band doesn’t exist.” It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, Mick!

And finally, if all goes to plan this evening, I shall be writing the next edition of the Third Year blog from a tropical island somewhere in the Pacific, £184 million pounds better off… If only!

Heads of Year Message

Activities Week

Well done and thank you to the many Third Year boys that took part in “Activities Week” this week. Particular mention to Shane K (3C) who beat Mr Rigby at chess on Monday in a very enjoyable game. We also enjoyed refereeing the 5-a-side football on Tuesday.

Mr Rowett was pleased with the turnout for the “have-a-go” rowing session on Thursday, and he told the boys that attended they would be welcome to attend J14 training sessions on Sundays, regardless of their current Sport option. Please contact n.rowett@hamptonschool.org.uk if you are interested.

We think the Interform Dodgeball footage speaks for itself – what fun!

MidYIS testing

During the first week back after the half term holiday all Third Years will sit a MidYIS test during (and up to 15 minutes before or after) their timetabled Computer Science lesson. The test allows us to monitor pupils’ academic progress throughout their time in the School. Boys should not worry about this test. They cannot and should not attempt to revise for it. There is no pass or fail and the test will not affect their grade cards or School report. All we will ask is that the boys attempt all questions to the best of their ability.

Covid testing & vaccinations

Please continue with the programme of self-administered asymptomatic LFD testing at regular intervals (twice a week) at home over half term. Boys should have returned home with their latest box of LFD test kits today. A reminder for next half term that boys must not attend the School site if:

  • they have symptoms of Covid-19 (a raised temperature; a new persistent cough; a change in sense of taste or smell)
  • they have received a positive Covid-19 test result

Boys must take a PCR test if they have any of the symptoms of Covid-19, and receive a negative result before they can return to School.

Grade Cards

Grade Cards are available to view via the Parent Portal from 4pm today (Friday 15 October). Form Tutors will follow up with boys after half term to discuss academic progress and set targets where necessary.

Boys – you have done yourselves proud this half term in the way you have thrown yourselves wholeheartedly into the challenges and opportunities available. We certainly feel that the boys are living up to the aims we set them at the start of the year:

  • Aim for personal best
  • Be kind to everyone
  • Get involved
  • Speak up if you need assistance

We hope that everyone enjoys a well-deserved break over the half term holiday.

Best wishes

Mr T Rigby & Miss V Smith

Third Year Activities Week

Whether it be 5-a-side Football or Chess, have-a-go Rowing or Interform Dodgeball, this week has been absolutely jam-packed with activities for our Third Year boys, and they have taken full advantage! Take a look at the video below to get a feel for what’s been going on!

Third Year Inter-Form Dodgeball

After a pulsating lunchtime of Dodgeball on the hard courts, it was 3G who overcame 3J in a titanic struggle for victory. With dodgeballs flying in all directions, it was hard to keep track of things at times, but our Sixth Form Mentors kept up to speed with all the scores in what was an exciting way to end the first half term.

The battle for the Wills’ Cup is hotting up, with 3J leading by a smidge over 3H. Lots still to play for next half term though – we can’t wait!

 

Form Teambuilding Penalty Shoot-out Dodgeball Total Position
3A 8 5 4 17 3
3B 4 5 7 16 5
3C 5 7 5 17 3
3D 6 4 5 15 6
3E 2 7 4 13 7
3F 3 6 4 13 7
3G 1 3 9 13 7
3H 9 4 6 19 2
3J 7 6 8 21 1

Rowing Update

Mr Rowett is back with an update on how the J14s have been getting on down at the Millennium Boathouse!

This first half term has seen a really encouraging start for the rowers. Every boy has now had a go in a single scull with some whizzing along and at the other end of the scale a couple of boys who fell in three times in one outing! There is a core group who are training hard during the land sessions, and the water skills are improving rapidly across the whole group – the video clip shows a pretty good attempt to move in time with the boat staying balanced.

We have also been running sessions for boys playing other sports to have a row on a Sunday and this has proved to be very popular. Any other boys who want to join in are very welcome.

The team is now sufficiently large that we are recruiting two additional coaches to help out after half term. We are confident that we will have some competitive boats for the racing season!

U14 Sport

The U14A footballers put in a solid shift against Bradfield last weekend as they came out 1-0 victors. Dexter B got the goal for Hampton and much credit goes to the defence who put in a very sound performance indeed to keep Bradfield at bay.

The performance of last weekend though has to go to the U14B team who astonishingly came back from 3-0 down at half time to overturn Bradfield and claim a 4-3 win – wow! Evan R, Joshi RdM and Rohan P all got on the scoresheet in the second half to send the Hampton fans into a frenzy at the full-time whistle! Great effort, boys!

What’s your Story?

The English department are very excited to be launching ‘The Writers’ Room’, which will be opening its doors to all those interested in creative writing after half term.

In the first week back, all pupils are invited to attend a creative writing taster session in Room 53, in the English Department.

Following this, Hamptonians can sign up to a series of four-week courses, which will be held over lunchtimes throughout the year.

Third Years should come along on Wednesday 3 November at 12.35 – 1.10pm (please note that the taster session time is slightly different to the poster)

The first four-week creative writing coursewill start the week after the taster session. All are very welcome to come along!

Any questions, please see Mrs McLusky in the English Office.

Question of the Week

Well done to all of you who correctly guessed that the score was 3-0 on penalties when Hampton beat Repton in the ESFA Cup final in 2019. How could you forget!

Merits go to Trivikram P, William S, William M, Sam T, Harresh J, Nick A, Rohan L, Oliver D, Leo M, Thomas W-M, Sam B, Viren A, Joshi R, Arjan W, Alasdair M, Ollie S, Arun D, Rayan J, Alex R and Ed M. Bragging rights are shared between 3C and 3G for the most correct entries.

Question of the week will be back after half term!

Have a great half term break!

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