Welcome to the First Year Blog!
The blustery and rainy weather meant that lots of First Years had soggy starts to their lessons after break and lunch this week, but despite this, they still managed to have lots of fun on the 3G! With autumn now properly started, the New Boys’ Concert was also upon us, which is the first opportunity for many new Hamptonians to perform on the Hammond Theatre stage. The performances were brilliant and I do hope everyone involved is already excited to stand on the stage again soon! Well done to everyone involved, and a massive thanks to the Music department and the Hammond team for putting together such a womderful evening!
NO LIMITS WEEK
Next week is No Limits Week, which means every pupil in First to Third Year is encouraged to try three new clubs. You will receive a card from your Form Tutor on Monday morning on which you can write three clubs you will try during the week. Have a look at the co-curricular guide over the weekend to help you choose which clubs you will try:
MEET The Teacher
This week kicks off our series of interviews by our Blog team with First Year teachers. This week Shishir (1J) has interviewed Mr Townshend, one of 1J’s two Form Tutors!
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I have always loved working with young children and spent a year teaching English and Maths in The Gambia during my gap year.
What inspired you to work here at Hampton?
The Hampton community has a reputation of being inspiring, intelligent and boys treat each other as equals and with respect. The School truly lives up to this reputation.
Why did you choose Geography as your subject?
I was interested in the world around us as my father worked abroad and so I had the privilege of travelling. Also, it is a dynamic subject because the world is always changing and, therefore, it is a fascinating subject to teach!
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A park ranger for the National Trust, where I would manage the local environment and drive around in a pickup truck with my dog!
What did you name your newborn son?
Max.
What is your favourite hobby?
Cycling. I cycle to school every day and love to explore Europe on two wheels.
What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
Nothing beats a classic Mint Chocolate Chip.
What is your favourite book?
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.
How many holes does a straw have?
One! A continuous hole from top to bottom.
You are next to a lever. A runaway train is coming and will kill five people. If you pull the lever, it will kill one different worker. Do you pull it?
Yes, think of the Greater Good.
NEW BOYS’ CONCERT
On Tuesday evening, we had our New Boys’ Concert in the Hammond Theatre. Through excitement and nerves, we entered, as we noticed the first few audience members marching in. The New Boys’ Concert started with Mr Zuckert making a short speech, followed by the first few performances: River Flows in You and Fly Me to The Moon. The first half performances were amazing, and the Hammond was filled with fantastic talents! After the interval, I knew it was soon my turn to perform. As Mrs Esser called me to go backstage, my excitement continued to grow. I stepped on the wonderful stage and bowed to the audience. I started playing a music piece, The Swing by Chee-Hwa Tan, on the Steinway Piano. When I finished, I bowed again to the audience and went back to my seat. It was an absolutely amazing evening of stunning performances with a variety of different instruments from all the boys. Thank you for the music teachers organising this sensational concert. By Oliver Y (1P)
On Tuesday evening I played in the New Boys’ Concert. It was the first opportunity I had to perform on the Hammond Theatre stage and I loved it! Over forty boys performed and instruments played included: cello, electric guitar, piano, trumpet and violin. I rehearsed after school and all the performers had dinner before the concert. After the interval it was my turn to play the drums – ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials. It went really well. An exciting evening of music! By Konrad G (1L)
I arrived at the Dining Hall, waiting for the big show to arise. We had 90 minutes to spare and Mr Zuckert allowed us to use our phones and laptops. So, I decided to go on my laptop and play some scratch. I had a lot of fun with my friends and then we decided to do many rounds of a quiz website called Blooket. But then, the fire alarm started to wail as we were all escorted outside onto the tennis courts. When it was safe to enter, we had dinner at 5.30pm. they gave us pizza and chips for dinner as the show was starting at 7pm. I had been waiting until it was time and then Mr Zuckert called out our names. Me, Louis, Finn, Neil and Rohan were in the first half with Shishir and Henry being in the second half. We walked nervously to the Hammond Theatre and then, at 7pm, the concert started. Parents started to fill in the seats and many important teachers and the music teacher all watching our concert. Once it was my turn, I felt like if I was sweating as I nervously stepped onto the stage. My palm was sweating but I managed to contain myself and happily played my piece. After the concert, I felt happy and joyous that I had performed my piece in a concert. By Joshua A (1J)
Take a look at some of the wonderful photos from the concert below:
SPORTS REPORTS
Last weekend saw the first games since the half term break, with Rugby fixtures against Halliford School:
Our first game back after the half term and we started it off with a great win against Halliford. The game was played on the 3G and we put up a great fight. The end score was 4-2 but Halliford were a good side. The game started off with a great try for Jonny and then they equalised in the second half. We fought and scored another two to win. The game was incredibly fun and can’t wait to play against Trinity this weekend. By Max C (1H)
This weekend our footballers are playing in a block fixture against Berkhamsted School and our Rugby teams are visiting Trinity School Croydon. Our U12B Footballers are also playing in the second round of their ESFA cup competition against Coombe Boys (with kick off just a few hours away as I write this Blog, so we’ll be able to read about this fixture next week). Good luck to all involved in fixtures this weekend!
INTERFORM CHESS
We walked into S11 ready to face our opponents. We gently placed our bags down and helped to set the boards up. Some of our classmates came to cheer us on. It was a knockout competition. Our first match was against the teachers. I was board 1 and played Mr Hill! Me and Ishaaq scholars mated two of the teachers meaning we had won! Our last teammate eventually won!
The second game was probably the toughest. Ishaaq won his game! Sadly, Eshaan lost his second game. I was losing but I did not give up! I used all my knowledge, and I won meaning we were into the finals! We played 1P! Ishaaq won, than Eshaan won! WE HAD WON THE FINALS! I gradually won the match later. Back in the form we all celebrated in triumph. What a brilliant day! By Jai K (1J)
YEAR GROUP COUNCIL
Over the last week, the First Years have been sharing ideas about improvements to the School in their Form Groups, with representatives from each form discussing these ideas in the Year Group council. Danyal (1J) writes about this meeting:
The School Council is a forum for elected members to share any issues or suggestions that fellow pupils have experienced during their Hampton School daily life. This term I was fortunate enough to be selected for the School Council. In class we were asked about what new ideas we had to improve the School. Once we had all raised our thoughts, I had to bring some of these concepts to the meeting to represent 1J. In this meeting there were other councillors from other forms in the First Year. We all shared our proposals relating to general school life and these were put to a democratic vote. Initially we were left with two ideas to take to the greater School Council involving all school years. The suggestions were to be able to use the sports hall at lunch time and break and the other notion was to buy board games and be able to play in the form room at break and lunch times. This was the experience of my first meeting.
The ideas will be discussed in the whole School Council which two First Year representatives will attend and will be considered by the council, including members of the School Captains team and the Senior Leadership Team.
CRACKING CHEMISTRY
This half term, we will not only be sharing experiences from outside the classroom, but also highlights from interesting lessons. Max (1H) shares his experience of Chemistry lessons:
Chemistry has been a fun and new experience for me and has brought me lots of joy (especially in the practicals). We have a double chemistry lesson on a Monday and I look forward to that lesson very much. All of the sciences have been fun but chemistry has definitely been my favourite. I have loved all of my lessons at Hampton because they’re so exciting and I can’t wait to do them again when I finish. By Max C (1H)
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 fields for the week!
This week’s tutee of the week is Joshua D-L (1H) for always being super polite and impressing Mr Barber, Mr Jimenez, Mr Hill and Mrs Peattie with his attitude to life at Hampton.
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 go on sale on Monday 14 November here. Don’t miss out!
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).
FIRST YEAR FIVE QUESTIONS
A humongous 55 First Year Hamptonians had a go at last week’s, well done to everyone who had a go! 1J are crowned weekly champions once again with an impressive 12 entries. Merits go to:
1P: Samrith P, Zac R, Lucas T, Sion K, George V, Oliver Y, Lucas B, Alp O
1J: Josh B, Devan D, Henry S, Joshua A, Thomas H, Shishir V, Ishaaq A, David W, Jai K, Siddhant S, Louis C, Danyal P
1L: Konrad G, Alexandre A, Macsen B, Willoughby E, Armaan V, Edison Y, Joe L
1W: Benjamin J, Huw C, Vayan J, Shiv V, Dean B, Isaac d Q, Yusuf A, Vayun J
1B: Gabriel K S, Fred O, Neal H, Devam K, George H, Jiashan L, Dennis H, Pierce B, Sebastian W, Joe B
1H: George S, Manilo C
1F: Kian T, Oscar S, Aiden F, Eeston Z, Yule O, Mattie R, Oscar F, Nico W
Take a look at this week’s questions – have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer.
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- If you have cryophobia, what are you afraid of?
- What is the only other creature besides us, humans, who domesticates and farms another creature?
- How many Grand Slam titles has Andy Murray won?
- What did the Romans call Scotland?
- Who does John Boyega play in the most recent Star Wars films?
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:
- In 1936, Jesse Owens won 4 Gold medals at the Summer Olympics in what city? Berlin
- What is the largest animal on the planet? Blue whale
- What is the capital city of Australia? Canberra
- What is the name of the youngest F1 driver to win a race? Max Verstappen
- Unscramble the letters to make the name of a popular Pixar film: end of mining Finding Nemo
Remember to write your name in the form so you can be credited with merits!
