Welcome to the First Year Blog!
The final week of lessons for this half term has now finished, and I hope everyone feels ready to start their assessments next week! Remember there will be sport on Monday and Wednesday, so sports kit should be worn all day on those days, but not on Friday! This morning 1B discussed the importance of having breaks this weekend, and I would like to pass their advice on to all First Years: make sure you have a rest this weekend, as well as continuing to work hard, because it is also very important to be well-rested and have lots of energy for the assessments next week! Good luck to all First Years – and remember this week is all about learning, not just about the results!
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
This week, Shishir V (1J) and Joshua A (1J) interviewed one of the Heads of First Year and History teacher Mrs Peattie!
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I went to University at Birmingham where I did a joint honours degree in History and History of Art. Whilst I was there I worked in the education department of the Art gallery on campus, The Barber Institute of Art and loved explaining the Art work to children which made me realise I wanted to work in education.
What inspired you to work here at Hampton?
When I came to interview I really liked the boys and I particularly liked the History Department, they seemed great fun.
What is your favourite thing about working here at Hampton?
It’s fun. I like the livelihood and sense of fun around the School.
What has been your best experience in your time here at Hampton?
I have had some wonderful experiences on School trips. Particularly the Adventure Society trip to Zambia and Malawi, the Sixth Form History and Politics trip to Washington and we used to run a Sixth Form History trip to Florence and Venice which for a former Art Historian was an absolute joy.
What do you enjoy most about being Head of First Year?
I love helping boys of this age and enjoy their enthusiasm and zest for School life. I also remember the daunting transition from primary to secondary school and like to be able to help with this process.
How did you become Head of First Year?
I’d been a Form Tutor for many years and Assistant Head of First, Fifth and Lower Sixth, and then I got the job.
Why did you choose History as your subject?
I’ve always loved History even as a child, I was obsessed with a Kings and Queens book age six and this interest and enthusiasm has just continued.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
I did consider working in Art galleries as an exhibition curator but I’m glad I went into teaching as I so enjoy the pastoral side of this job, which I would never have ended up in if I went down the museum route.
What is your favourite hobby?
My favourite sport is swimming and I love walking, prior to having young children I did this a lot! Also, I really like cooking.
What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
There’s a type of ice cream in Cornwall by Moomaid called Shipwreck, which has Salted Caramel, Almonds, Fudge and Honeycomb chunks. Unfortunately, you can only get it at four outlets.
What is your favourite book?
Daphne du Maurier’s book Rebecca, which is a romantic thriller set in Cornwall, closely followed by Jamaica Inn also by the same author, also a thriller set on Bodmin Moor about smuggling. I read thess books first as a teenager, but I come back to them time and time again and they are firm favourites. My family are all from Cornwall so whilst they are great stories there is also great nostalgia associated with those books
What was the best place you have ever visited?
I went on honeymoon to Vietnam, and loved it for it’s rich history, stunning countryside, beautiful beaches and fabulous food.
How many holes does a straw have?
Two holes, one at the bottom and one at the top.
SAMBA WORKSHOP
The Samba workshop was an extremely interesting experience and we learnt lots about Brazilian Music and the culture that it brings to Brazil. We started with our instructor leading us from our seats in a line with him being the leader. He sung some traditional Brazilian tunes as well as playing it on the Brazilian frame drum. He then told us some of the essentials in playing percussion instruments; for example, if you can’t sing a rhythm then you can’t play it, as well as other essential techniques. He then introduced us to some other instruments such as cow bells, and maracas. He introduced it section by section allowing each section to learn by practising a rhythm. After he introduced us all to our rhythms, he made us all play at once and they all complimented each other. This was extremely fun as, as well as teaching us about instruments, he also told us about Brazilian culture such as the Brazilian carnival and the “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio De Janeiro. Overall, it was a great experience and I hope we have other sessions like this in the future. By Gabriel K-S (1B)
REVISION PAYING OFF
On our two music lessons of the week, we entered the music classrooms to complete our music test. Everyone was nervous, but hopefully tried their best. The first test consisted of playing keyboard steps on the piano. Our second was about theory, to test our knowledge on key terms, note values and more. Our third and final test was most difficult, and tested all of what we had done throughout the year. While it was difficult, I felt that I had done well. Our first test, (of many subjects) had been done. I hope the rest of our tests will be successful. By Louis C (1J)
With end of year tests coming up, everyone is anxious and nervous. Revision is what we need to do before tests. All we are thinking in our minds is ‘What questions will come up? How will I manage time?’ In our test week not all is stressful tests. We will also be doing interform athletics and cricket (which I will be doing) softball or tennis to take our mind off exams after we have done them. To top this off, after our exams we will be having a relaxing one week of half term. Good luck to all my peers for the forthcoming exams! By Danyal P (1J)
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 Esa S (1W) as Mrs Ziegler, Ms Jacobson, Mr Hill and Mrs Peattie have been impressed with the his excellent attitudes towards all aspects of school life – well done, Esa!
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
An impressive 28 First Year Hamptonians had a go at last week’s quiz, well done to everyone who had a go! Form 1J are crowned weekly champions once again with eight entries each. Merits go to:
1P: Oliver Y, Alp O
1J: Henry S, Josh B, David W, Danyal P, Shishir V, Louis C, Kevin K, Devan D
1L: Macsen B, Rajvir S, Konrad G
1W: Brooklyn G, Alex F
1B: Sebastian W, Ekam R, Fred O, Nathaniel O, Joe B, Devam K, Neal H
1H: James G, Lucas T, George S, Kailan Y
1F: Daniel S, Aiden F
Take a look at this week’s questions – have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer.
Here are this week’s questions, which have been set by Oliver Y:
- What geometric shape is generally used for stop signs?
- What is ‘cynophobia’?
- Who named the Pacific Ocean?
- How many languages are written from right to left?
- How many countries still have Shilling as their currency?
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 questions:
- Aureolin is a shade of which colour? Yellow
- Which planet has the most moons? Saturn
- What is a group of pandas known as? An embarrassment of pandas
- Which European country experienced the highest rate of population decline from 2015 to 2020? Lithuania
- What is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world? Mexico City
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
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