Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
The stand-out highlight of the week was Pens Down Day when the whole School left their pencil cases in their lockers and enjoyed lessons which more focused on discussion, quizzing, drama and kinaesthetic activities. There was a different buzz along the corridors as boys chatted about what their teachers had planned and there was a run on glue and scissors.
We had a fascinating Talk! about the Covid 19 pandemic on Tuesday lunchtime; the Hammond was packed to the gunnels with pupils, staff and parents. The next Talk! Is with Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, on Friday 7 October 2022 in the Hammond Theatre, and there’s more information about this later in the blog. We also have a report from our team who got to the quarter finals of the Junior Schools’ Challenge Quiz final. Among the sporting highlights was a quarter final win (56-0) of the Middlesex Cup match for our Under 14A rugby team at home against St Benedict’s School. Yoga club started on Wednesday and scroll down for details of other amazing co-curricular opportunities.
Heads of Year Message
We were delighted that so many Third Year parents were able to attend the Pastoral Forum on Monday evening, and thank you to those of you that did attend for your contributions during the discussion groups.
We look forward to welcoming parents of boys in forms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F at the Coffee Morning events starting next week. For any parents wishing to swap contact details with each other, this is the ideal opportunity.
Please feel free to contact your son’s Form Tutors by email to arrange a conversation over the phone if you are unable to attend either of these events but would like to speak with one of them. Similarly, if there are any concerns you have at this stage of the term that you would like to raise with us, please do contact us both by email and we can arrange to speak as required.
To encourage the boys to think proactively about issues relating to adolescence, peer pressure and conformity, Vicci Nagli (School Counsellor) spoke to Third Year boys during Form Period on Thursday morning.
Pens Down Day was a great success for Third Year pupils on Thursday. We were delighted to hear about and witness the boys participating wholeheartedly (as we had asked them to) and learning in new, exciting and interactive ways.
If any boy is unable to attend School due to ill health, please notify the School by contacting Form Tutors and absence@hamptonschool.org.uk, or using the absence link on the Parent Portal.
Boys – Please remember to let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you are having any difficulties.
Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore
StarteR for Ten!
Let’s hear from one of our quiz team, Ben B (3E) and Joshua R (3E) on their fantastic performance in the Junior Schools’ Challenge Quiz final:
Last Sunday, the Junior Quiz Team, comprised of James B (3G), Alex P (3B), Kanishk M (3E), Joshua R (3E), and captain Ben B (3E), went to School. Hampton was eerily quiet, the buzz and laughter of the corridors had disappeared, and all we could hear was the quiet footsteps of the ground staff. But we five had a mission: to win the Junior Schools’ Challenge. Unfortunately, due to train strikes, we had to hold quiz over a Zoom meeting. The Junior Schools Challenge’ works very similarly to University Challenge, the long-running show on BBC Two. There are two types of questions: the starter and the bonus, and all of the questions are worth 10 points. In the starter question, anyone can just press the buzzer and answer the question. The team who correctly answered the starter question earn 3 bonus questions. The team can confer on these questions, which are all on the same subject, and if the team fails to answer the question, the question will be passed over to the other team.
Our first round was against Brentwood School at 1pm. This was a round we particularly wanted to win, as Brentwood’s quiz teacher was our old one! Hampton started strong, achieving a score of 360-120 early in the game. However, during the middle stages of the match, Brentwood pulled it back, nearly levelling the score out. But, our first team, made up of Ben, Kanishk, Joshua, and Alex (James was randomly selected to sit the first round out as teams had to consist of four players), managed to control the final stages of the game, rounding it out with a convincing score of 720-390.
After a quick lunch break, James swapped in for Joshua and we commenced our match vs The Perse. This was by far the closest game we have played in the whole competition, and there were multiple occasions where the scores were level or one team was ahead by one question. After half an hour of very intense quizzing, we narrowly lost out in a place in the final by 20 points, a final score of 560-540. Whilst this was quite disappointing, we were very happy with our excellent achievements – reaching the semi-finals, further than Hampton has ever got, and giving The Perse, regular winners of the competition, the closest game in the history of the competition.
Thank you to Ms Watson-Evans and Ms Bradbury for supervising us on the day, and thank you to all of the quiz staff and the Schools’ Challenge for enabling us to play.
Pens Down Day.
On Thursday pencil cases were packed away and pupils were encouraged to look up from their books and engage in a range of different activities designed to promote learning and communication. Our teachers planned lots of creative and interactive lessons for us to take part in. One of the most interactive lesson we had on this day was biology. We made 3D amoeba models out of paper. We cut pieces of paper and made them into an amoeba cell. This was a great creative activity however it was definitely challenging at times! In maths, we did equations in groups, cutting them out and sticking them in our books. In English, we watched a film of ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Overall, it’s a great day and we enjoyed the change. By Aadi K (3A)
Our Third Year Germanists learnt the art of patience as they practised their language skills at passport control on Pens Down Day:
Third Year Mentor
Let’s hear from Upper Sixth Former Gopal B, who is mentor for one of our Third Year forms:
I am privileged to hold a position of responsibility as a mentor for Form 3A. During the week, we try to attend morning and afternoon registration which allows us to catch up with our Third Year class. The highlight of the week however was team building day where every mentor had the chance to get to know their form group better and guide them through challenging activities when necessary. This involved the use of teamwork, communication, and support which led to our form coming second overall. Even though it has only been three weeks, it has been a truly rewarding experience to act as a mentor and I look forward to the rest of the year.
Teambuilding Day
Third Year Hamptonians enjoyed a fantastic day of team building at the hotly-antcipated event that took place a couple of weeks ago. Takee a look at the video below to get a taste of some of the head-scratching actitivies, as well as hear from and two of the Upper Sixth mentors:
Sports Reports
Football U14C versus Forest School
After a long journey by coach on Saturday that took around an hour and a half, we arrived at Forest School. The weather was great for football: blue skies with few clouds and the sun brightly shining. The team was quite groggy after a tiring journey, but after some stretches, we loosened up.
The whistle for kick-off started but within 10 minutes, the opposition had already scored. However, the tables turned as Gabriel S (3J) passed a through ball to Louis H (3G), who shot straight into the top right corner. Following that, Gabriel S (3J) intercepted the goalkeeper’s pass and scored easily. Then, the opposition scored once more just before half time to make the score 2-2. At the start of the second half, we unluckily conceded with a miscommunication in the defence.
After that, Josh C (3H) kicked the ball with amazing accuracy across to Eugene K (3A) who curled it towards the top right post when it bounced in. Towards the end of the match, Hampton conceded again and couldn’t manage to score again in time. Overall, it was a great effort and the game ended 4-3. By Eugene K (3A)
Rugby vs RGS
On Saturday the U14A and B went to Royal Grammar School (RGS) in High Wycombe. We knew this would be our most difficult game yet but we were ready for the challenge. The A team game started ferociously with big hits but not much progress, we dominated but without points on the board. The first half finished 0–0. We went in to the second half with our heads up because we knew we were dominating them and it ppaid off. Four minutes in Harry D (3A) went over in the corner and converted his try. The rest of the game was ferocious with Jack H (3A) making big hits with impressive line speed. Unfortunately, a turn in play happened when an unfortunate and confusing decision lead to a converted try on their behalf. We came out 7-7 knowing we had it on them. The game was great improvement from the 40 – 20 defeat last year. By Will O (3A)
CLUBS, CLUBS, CLUBS!
There are lots of clubs to choose from at lunchtime, here are just some of the actvities that you could have a go at next week:
History Society met for the first time earlier this term, with a talk from Mr Roberts titled ‘Britain’s stolen treasures of Empire: should they be given back?’ This week we then hosted a history quiz which was well attended by pupils from Third Year to Upper Sixth and in which the Third Year team held their own, answering some tough questions correctly. Next week there will be another talk on the Battle of Isandlwana during the Zulu War, this takes place on Thursday at 1pm in Room F45.
Junior Linguistics Club, Thursday at 1.10pm in S30 – this week there were puzzles involving Ogham (an Irish script), Kabyle (a language spoken in Algeria) and Waama (a language spoken in Benin).
Junior Boardgames Club – Keen board gamers and bridge players gather during lunchbreak in the Library from 12:35pm onwards on Thursdays.
Yoga club takes place Wednesday at lunchtime, 12.40-1.15pm in the Dance Studio ppen to all Second and Third Years Hamptonians. Yoga is a great activity for building strength and flexibility and is also very relaxing. No prior experience required, mats provided. Please wear tracksuit bottoms or shorts.
The full list of all clubs, societies and other co-curricular activities on offer at Hampton can be found here:
CO-CURRICULAR TIMETABLE 2022-3
Why not try a new club next week, plenty of time to get stuck in before half term.
JUNIOR MUSICAL
Calling all budding actors! It’s time to audition for the much-anticipated Junior Musical. This year’s production is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – which tells the journey of Joseph and his coat of many colours. Auditions will take place on Tuesday 4 October from 4 to 5:30pm in the Hammond Theatre with recalls on Tuesday 11 October. The Junior Musical is open to all First, Second, Third and Fourth Year Hamptonians.
The audition song will be Close Every Door to Me. Please familiarise yourself with the song, prior to the audition. There will also be a short and simple dance audition.
More information can be found in the poster below:
The performances will take place on 7, 8 and 9 February 2023 with the first rehearsal on Tuesday 1 Novemeber.
Pupils must be able to commit to rehearsing every Tuesday and Thursday 4pm to 5.45pm. Sunday rehearsals are on the following dates:
- Sunday 15 January 2023
- Sunday 22 January 2023
- Sunday 29 January 2023
- Sunday 5 February 2023
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Jones in the Drama Department A.Jones@hamptonschool.org.uk
TALK!
It was great to see so many of you at the first Hampton School Talk! of the year, as Lung Consultant Dr Felix Chua and Pharmaceuticals specialist Dr Andrew Makin gave us an insight into their experience from the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Friday 7 October at 1pm in the Hammond Theatre, we are delighted to welcome renowned political journalist and commentator Fraser Nelson to present our next lunchtime Talk! With the conservatives reeling in the face of widespread criticism following the recent fiscal measures introduced by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng, Fraser Nelson offers his insight into the political turmoil facing Liz Truss’s government and assesses what the future holds.
Editor of The Spectator magazine and a member of the advisory board of the Center for Social Justice and the Centre for Policy Studies, Fraser is a regular commentator on TV and radio. The Evening Standard named Mr Nelson as one of the most influential journalists working in London and he also won the British Press Award as Political journalist of the Year.
As well as offering his thoughts on the current political situation, the seasoned journalist will be talking about his 25-year career, spanning seven prime ministers, and shining a light on current-day, 24/7 media coverage.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most exciting voices in political journalism. Hamptonians from across all year groups are welcome to attend and do not need to book a ticket
Connection Corner
A big shout out to the 28 Hamptonians who had a go at the very first Connection Corner of the year and well done those of you who answered all the questions correctly and guessed the connection as Ice Creams! Merits go to Nathaniel C, Samuel H, Gabriel S, Alex W, Yaseen M, Oliver S, Adam M, Harry N, Aditya K (3H), Pranavan P, Ollie D, Leander K-B, Agalyan S, Matthew C, Adrian S, Praboda A, Daniel T, Ben B, Aditya K (3C), Teddy H, Arie B and Joshua R. Bragging rights to 3E with the most entires.
Another tricky one this week, have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection:
In case you’re still perplexed, here are last week’s answers:
What was the name of the famous 80s TV detective played by Tom Selleck? Magnum PI
The Beatles were collectively known by what famous phrase? The Fab Four
What word do Americans commonly use to describe tornados? Twisters
What is the word for a large meal that is typically a celebratory one? Feast
Connection: Ice Creams (Magnum, Fab, Twister, Feast)
