Welcome to the First Year Blogs!
Welcome back after two hopefully relaxing and enjoyable weeks off! It has been great to hear what the First Years have been up to during their first half term break at Hampton – from accidentally bumping into each other at the Eurotunnel on the way back from fun trips abroad to sleepovers and just relaxing at home, it sounds like they really made the most of their time away from School and are ready for another exciting half term ahead!
Despite the wetter and darker conditions outside, we were finally able to play on the 3G during breaks and the First Years have really made the most of the renovated, and still very bouncy pitch! This week also saw the first Interform Competition, with 1J being crowned victorious in the Chess tournament – congratulations to Eashan, Jai and Ishaaq for representing their form so well!
GEOGRAPHY TRIP
On the Friday before half term, the First Years went on their second day trip of the year with half the year visiting Windsor Castle and the other half enjoying a walk through the South Downs. Eashan and Louis (1J) share their experiences:
As we entered the coach, we were ready to go on our trip. On the way to South Downs, we played games like chess, UNO and many more. Mr Hill informed us about some key geographical elements which we were going to need later to fill out our booklet. As we arrived, we were split into groups with our specific teachers, my class being Mrs Hill and Mr Saunders. We started our climb upwards taking in the mesmerising view. As we slowly reached the top, we saw horses going down the hill. We were given our booklets and started to fill them in. My class and I gathered our belongings with our next stop being lunch. On our walk we found out that the highest point we would be walking is 217m above sea level. After most people were panting and turning red, we had lunch. It was a much needed lunch for everybody to restock on food and water. We started to approach Devil’s Dyke where there is and arch in between two mountains and some of my classmates came up with a conspiracy theory to why it was like this. Overall, I found this day really enjoyable walking a total of 12 kilometres! By Eashan B (1J)
Our Geography Trip to South Downs (a national park) was exhilarating! We began our day by heading off in the coach where we entertained ourselves by chatting and with card games. After the long journey, we ventured off where we faced a colossal hill and climbed the extremely steep ground; our start was exhausting! Our path slowly started to become easier and we were ecstatic when we were told we could have a quick snack. Our energy was suddenly increased, and we were ready to move on. We made a few stops to admire the picturesque view. After a while, we began to use a map to help us navigate and tell where we were. We were also given booklets to fill in some interesting questions about different places and landmarks around us. Soon, we had lunch at a very high elevation which was a thrilling experience as we got to appreciate the view as we ate. Once again, we were ready to move; we trekked towards massive valley called “Devil’s Dyke”. We then re-enacted a myth which was about how the Devil flooded the area but then was fooled and the place fortunately was not destroyed. After the enjoyable story, we began to make our way home through the valley which contained a herd of cows roaming throughout the middle: it was incredible to see such wildlife. Our first trip was a great success. By Louis C (1J)
CUBING CLUB
Recreated by Siyul, Alex F and Laurie, Rubik’s Cube Club is our latest club in Hampton. In Rubik’s Cube Club, you can learn and develop cubing skills and race against each other. As well as the typical 3X3, there will be many different varieties as well, such as the Skewb, Pyraminx and Windmill. Anybody can join and bring in any kind of cube, mat, or timer.
Speedcubing is one of the most popular ‘sports’ in the world. Cubing is constantly shifting and altering in the world. Us “Cubers” use algorithms to solve our cubes efficiently. There are countless ways to solve a cube, and each cuber has his or her own unique way to solve a cube. We keep trying to develop and learn new algorithms or methods. By Siyul P (1W)
VISITORS’ MORNING
On Thursday, three First Year forms were tour guides at our Visitors’ Morning, with Yevin S (1F) and Max C (1H) answering questions on the Hammond stage to a massive audience! Well done for sharing your enthusiasm about your first few months at Hampton so well!
After our design engineering lesson, we all went down to the Hammond foyer. This is where we received our route, poppies and nametags. We entered the Hammond Theatre to a vast sea of parents, as well as some children too. They were finishing off a talk with a Q&A, and then were directed our way. Two pupils would be together for this task, accompanied with two sets of parents. They asked a wide variety of questions, not all that we knew the answer to, but we tried our best to come up with an accurate response. We got a bit lost one or two times, but found our route and kept on going until it was time for the end of the tour, which is when we dropped the families of back In the Hammond Theatre and got ready for our next lesson. By Alex A (1L)
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be chosen to go on stage to answer some questions from parents who are considering applying for their sons to come to Hampton next year. It was amazing to see so many faces in front of me interested in joining our Hamptonian community. Joining me on stage was the Headmaster, Mr Knibbs and other pupils including a Sixth Former called Ed. The parents all seemed really interested and asked some really great questions such as ‘What is our relationship with the LEH girls?’ and ‘How many sports options are there?’ I really hope that I answered the questions well and hope to do it again. By Max C (1H)
ENGINEERING SKILLS
This half term, we will not only be sharing experiences from outside the classroom, but also highlights from interesting lessons. Alex A (1L) shares his enjoyable Design Engineering lessons:
One of my favourite lessons over the past half term has been Design Engineering. In DE, we have been making a wooden box, and using miller dowels, countersinks and even a laser engraver! We have been learning the basics of sanding and using a scroll saw, and it is fun seeing your project come together. We started off in our first lesson, when we went through the safety rules and even got to watch dumb ways to die. On our second lesson, we started the box, and it is surprising to see how far it has come in so little time. By Alex A (1L)
CHESS RESULTS
Jai K (1J) was invited to play in the National Youth Chess Championship 2022 (team battle for Way Valley-Surrey team) which was held on Saturday 29 October. Their team came second in the Championship and Jai was given the best performance medal. Well done Jai!
WWF FUNDRAISER
George V (1P) spent his Saturday afternoon raising money for WWF by running a cake stand with his sister. He shares his experiences below – what an incredible effort, George, and well done for raising so much money!
As we live on the road leading to The Stoop rugby ground, my sister had the brilliant idea to set up a stall outside our house on a Harlequins match day to raise money for WWF. I helped her set up the stall and baked a batch of delicious cookies (44 in total). She decorated around 100 rugby-themed fairy cakes and with help from a couple of her friends we spent Saturday afternoon asking for donations in return for a cake or cookie. Incredibly – between 12:30 and 6pm we raised £533. The Quins and London Irish fans were incredibly generous. WWF have told us that the money will pay for firefighting equipment to help tackle forest fires in Russia which are devastating the habitats of the Amur leopard. I didn’t think we would be able to raise that amount of money in one afternoon but it does show what’s possible when you put your mind to something! By George V (1P)
TUTEE OF THE WEEK
Every week, the First Year Tutor team nominate a boy who they have been particularly impressed with, and Mr Hill and Mrs Peattie provide him with a football to use on the 3G for the week!
This week’s tutee of the week is Leon Y (1W) for being really helpful and kind to other boys (he’s the class IT guru!), and just getting on with things in a sensible way. Congratulations Leon!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school and to celebrate your successes in the First Year Blog! Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Mr Fuldner (d.fuldner@hamptonschool.org.uk).
Coming up …
No Limits Week: November 14-18
Monday November 14 marks the start of No Limits Week when boys are set the challenge of trying out three clubs or activities that are different to their usual weekly Hampton schedule. It provides boys with the opportunity to hunt down a new passion, push themselves out of their comfort zone and most importantly, have fun!
Talk! with Louis & Michael Lynagh
Hot off the press, we are delighted to announce that Old Hamptonian and Harlequins winger Louis Lynagh OH (2019) joins his father, Wallaby legend Michael Lynagh, in conversation with The Times Deputy Rugby Correspondent and Hampton alumnus, Will Kelleher OH (2010).
Taking place on Thursday 10 November at 7.30pm, the two rugby greats will be reflecting on life on and off the pitch, and offering their insight into the rugby Autumn Internationals.
There are a limited number of free tickets available for Hamptonians, so if you are interested please click here.
The 39 Steps
Some of our dramatists will be treading the Hammond Theatre boards in our first production of the year The 39 Steps.
Richard Hannay, a perfect gentleman and dashing hero, meets a mysterious woman at a London theatre, who implores him to take her home with him. She soon confesses to being a spy, hot on the trail of a dangerous organisation. That same night she gets stabbed in his flat and Hannay is thrown into a mad chase to escape both the police and the mysterious spy organisation, ‘The 39 Steps’, whilst trying to solve the riddle behind her murder. This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller takes you on a breath-taking and hilarious journey from London to the Scottish Highlands and back. Can Hannay evade capture and clear his name of murder before it’s too late? Will he fall in love along the way? And what exactly are ‘The 39 Steps’?
Tickets for the public go on sale on Monday 14 November here.
FIRST YEAR FIVE QUESTIONS
A whopping 44 First Year Hamptonians had a go at our half term quiz, well done to everyone who had a go! 1J are crowned weekly champions with an impressive 11 entries each. Merits go to:
1P: Tom P, George V, Jun C, Oliver Y, Sion K, Lucas B, Lucas T
1J: David W, Jai K, Henry S, Joshua A, Sam D, Hari L, Louis C, Neil T, Ishaaq A, Josh B, Devan D
1L: Alexandre A, Macsen B, Rajvir S, Fraser M-C, Armaan V, Edison Y
1W: Benjamin J, Alex P, Huw C, Vayan J, Shiv V, Anthony S, Dean B, Isaac d Q
1B: Josh R, Fred O, Neal H, Devam K, Jiashan L, Sebastian W, Joe B
1H: George S, Joshua L
1F: Ben J, Oscar S, Aiden F, Yule O
Take a look at this week’s questions – have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer.
- In 1936, Jesse Owens won four 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
Merits are awarded for everyone who has a go! Just click on the link below and enter your answers; points for the Interform Competition will be awarded to the form with the most entries every week.
Why don’t you have a go and enter your answers here.
Take a look at next week’s blog to find out the answers 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
Remember to write your name in the form so you can be credited with merits!
