Welcome to the First Year Blog!
After an extended half term break, it has been lovely to see First Years return to School with such enthusiasm. Some made the perilous journey into School with their cell models for Biology which they had been working on over the last few weeks, and the department was impressed with the creative talents on show. This week in PSHE, the boys came up with and discussed ideas to take to School Council; this is a great forum for the boys to have their views heard by senior members of staff, and we were impressed with the creativity and maturity of many of the suggestions. Welcome back, boys!
Medieval History Workshop
Just before half term, the First Years took part in a History workshop at School, focusing on this term’s topic of study, the Norman Conquests and the medieval world. Alexander S (1H) reports on what they got up to:
This activity was rather a unique one. We time-travelled to the Anglo-Saxon time and were looking like the olden days knights. We were split into groups by old towns. In each group there was a Lord and Lady with their servants. The rest of the group were villagers. We were lucky to have a priest in our group who controlled our church. We looked at everything: the clothes, the food, the armoury and medicine. My favourite was learning about the clothes they wore. The shoes that the women have were astonishing. They had wooden clogs cut out to wear under the shoes to keep out of the dirt on the roads (heels). There was a competition as well as fun. Each group had their own and every correct answer you got 10 points. My group had won and conquered the other kingdoms.
GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO THE SOUTH DOWNS
Our Geographers also enjoyed a trip to explore the South Downs before half term. Take a look at the video below to find out what they got up to:
TEACHER PROFILES – MISS CZUMAJ!
Our weekly interviews are a great opportunity for you to find found out a little bit more about your Tutors! So, thank you to Arshan and Alfie (1F) who interviewed Miss Czumaj; Maths teacher and one half of 1F’s tutor team!
Why did you choose to become a teacher?
Well, all my friends were going into banking and I wanted something to do with people and Maths, so I became a Maths teacher! 
What are your hobbies?
I have recently got into running and I ran a marathon last May; I have also been gardening this year with some vegetables and it is always exciting to see what grows!
What do you think makes the perfect teacher?
I think that the things that make a perfect teacher are enthusiasm, knowledge in the subject and kindness!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Waving to us in the corridor when we are in Sixth Form continuing to teach Maths at Hampton
Where were you born?
I was born in Warsaw, Poland.
Milk before cereal or cereal before milk?
Cereal first.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, a chinchilla named Chewie!
Anything you want to say to the First Year?
Well done everyone, you have been working super hard!
Voices for a Green Future
Fantastic to hear about Gui G (1B) success in being named one of the winners in the National Grid environment competition. Gui’s speech will be shared with world leaders at the COP26 conference which is taking place in Glasgow this week. Take a look at Gui’s speech below:
CLUB OF THE WEEK
This week, Nileeth G (1P) gives an insight into what goes on at Junior Drama Club:
Junior Drama Club is a great way to express your imagination and creativity. In the club, you get to play all different sorts of drama games that solidify your drama skills and also are really fun. It seems a bit childish, but at least you have the opportunity to enjoy yourself before the next periods.
This week, a film casting opportunity for the boys was discussed, and the games went underway. We started with a game called Zoof, where we had to be quick on our feet to make decisions in what to do. A lot of us messed up and were out of the game by either doing the wrong actions or saying the wrong words. In fact, some of us even got confused and were out. To decide the winner, the two finalists had a “moo-off.” They kept saying “moo!” in funny ways, and we couldn’t contain out laughter
That’s just one of the many things you do at Junior Drama Club. Just turn up at the Drama Hall on a Thursday at 1:10 and join in the fun!
At the start of a new half term, there are lots of exciting clubs for First Years to try – have a look below and pick a club!
From Art Club to Cryptic Crosswords, Book Club to Badminton, why not have a go and try something new!
THE WRITERS’ ROOM OPENS
This term, the Writers’ Room, a series of creative writing workshops and courses, began in the English department. Filip L (1P) tells us what happened in the first taster session:
I totally underestimated the Writers’ Room. I turned up to Room 53, looking to try out the much-advertised club, and I found something exceeding my expectations by far. I entered this wondrous space and sat down at a table and took a look at the intricately detailed room, including a huge silver carving of a quill and a large amount of books. We then started on our first task, which was to describe an object that came out of something called a Cabinet of Curiosities. This is essentially a cabinet of small but significant things. These were given to us by the helpful mentors and we wrote about them using a method called ‘Free Writing.’ In Free Writing, the only rule is that you aren’t allowed to take your pen off the paper. This was timed at 2 minutes so we were all scribbling to write as much as possible with lots of spelling and grammar mistakes! The next task was to imagine where and how this object came to be. This is where you could use your imagination limitlessly, from being unearthed from underneath the rubble from an ancient war to being retrieved from behind a horde of goblins. There is also a chance to get involved in creative writing competitions and I definitely recommend this club to all who love books and writing.
1H CONKERS!
This week, 1H took advantage of some of the more autumnal weather to play conkers with each other (supervised of course!). While there was no clear winner, there was some stiff competition. Well done, boys!
Tutee of the week
Each week, Tutors in the First Year team nominate a boy who they have been particularly impressed with and Mr Hill and Mrs Halford will provide the boy with a football to use on the 3G for the week!
This week’s Tutee of the Week is Luke Taylor (1L). Luke’s positivity, enthusiasm and kindness have really impressed his teachers. Well done, Luke!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school. Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Mrs Ziegler (h.ziegler@hamptonschool.org.uk).
First Year Five Questions
We had an impressive 25 entries for this week’s First Year 5 Questions. 1F are this week’s champions once again with 7 entries! Well done to everyone who entered!
1F: Ishaan A, Siddharth S, Theo T, Rahul B, Tom S, Alfie K, Manraj G
1J: Lucas Z, Jack H, William D
1B: Kiran G, Salah S, Rory M, Daniel M, Habib T, Ethan G
1W: Ethan P, James P, AbhideepS, Sanjit B
1L: Haadi H, Jayden C
1H: Huw P, Adam S, Guradaes S
Take a look at this week’s questions – have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer. Merits are awarded for everyone who has a go! Just click on the link below and enter your answers; points for the Inter-Form Competition will be awarded to the form with the most entries every week.
- In 1936, Jesse Owens won 4 Gold medals at the Summer Olympics in what city?
- What is the largest animal on the planet?
- What is the capital city of Australia?
- What is the name of the youngest F1 driver to win a race?
- Unscramble the letters to make the name of a popular Pixar film: end of mining
Why don’t you have a go and enter your answers here.
Remember to write your name in the form so you can be credited with merits!
Take a look at next week’s blog to find out the answers and which Form is crowned our weekly champion.
And here are the answers to last week’s 5 questions:
- What are axolotls named after? The Aztec god, Xolotl (the god of fire and lightning).
- Who is the only batsman to record 400 runs in an international Test match? Brian Lara (v England in 2004)
- Which English king died in 1066, leaving no heir to the throne? Edward the Confessor
- Director Taika Waititi also played which comedic Thor: Ragnarok character? Korg
- Hanoi is the capital of which country? Vietnam
