Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
There could only be one focus for this week’s blog. The talk of the corridors all week has been of the ESFA Cup Final, a giddy combination of a day off school and football – what could be more exciting for a 14-year-old Hamptonian? As I sit, writing this on the coach back home from Stoke, the most powerful evidence that it has been a wonderful day is the fact that the boys seem to be both hungry AND happy, a duality that the average Hampton boy never experiences under normal circumstances.
Of course, it is worth saying that, while the day was perfectly capped by the 3-1 victory, it was embellished by the excellent behaviour of the boys (the Third Year in particular) as they brought energy, humour, spirit and even politeness to Stoke City’s stadium. A personal favourite moment was the applause offered to the opposing team as they collected their medals, though I would be lying if I tried to claim that it was more of a ‘favourite moment’ than the point at which the third goal went in, or when I realised that the referee wasn’t going to give the opposition that stonewall penalty in the first half (you know the bit I’m talking about).
The blog this week attempts to capture the spirits of the boys both before and after the big match. It is a little chaotic, compared to usual, but that feels apt for what was an emotional and wonderful School day out. Thank you to all the contributors.
It is not all football though – we also have an excellent report on a recent U14B cricket as well as Connection Corner and a special guest bumper edition of two truths and a lie, where we are branching out and featuring a Fourth Year tutor, the evergreen Mr Leafe.
Heads of Year Message
It may have been a four-day week (with another one to follow), but we have certainly packed in a full week’s worth over those four days. The trip to Stoke to watch the ESFA Cup Final included over 100 Third Year pupils who enjoyed the experience whilst maintaining the good standards of behaviour we expect of them – well done boys! Those boys then had to attend their PSHE Study Skills session (revision planning) on Friday lunchtime. Whilst all of this was going on, there was the small matter of an ISI inspection taking place. It has been a busy week in the middle of a busy term, so we feel everyone is well-deserving of their second bank holiday weekend in a row!
Whilst we are advising the boys to make the most of the time available to revise over the coming weeks (using their homework timetable as a basic framework for revision, whilst no new homework is set), we continue to support their engagement in a range of sporting and co-curricular activities. Although this can lead to some busy schedules, we believe that it is essential for the boys to maintain a balanced approach to school work, sport and other co-curricular activities, leisure and family time, combined with a healthy diet and regular sleep throughout this period.
Exams
Third Year Exams will take place during the week commencing Monday 22 May (the week before half term). Departmental study guides and/or revision check lists can be found in the respective departmental areas on SharePoint. If any pupil is uncertain where to find revision materials, they should speak to the relevant subject teacher as a matter of priority next week.
Absences
For medical absences, please notify your son’s Form Tutors via email (cc’ing absence@hamptonschool.org.uk) on the morning of each day of absence by 8:45am, or complete the absence form via the parent portal. For planned absences and appointments, please contact Heads of Year requesting the absence with as much notice as possible.
Boys – keep up the good work over this weekend and into next week. This is the time to make your preparations for exams count. Stick to your revision schedules. Continue to be thoughtful and kind to the people around you. As always, let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you are having any difficulties.
Have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Miss M Bedford
The Third Year view on the ESFA final
The blog took the opportunity to get the thoughts of various Third Year pupils on the final. First we spoke to them before the event to get a sense of their excitement and how they thought the match itself would go.
I think that the atmosphere on the coach will reflect the whole atmosphere at the match. We are all looking forward to it. I think it will be a close match, maybe even penalties. It is very exciting!
Max M
Personally, for me I’m thinking a close fought game ending the first half 1-0 down then battling back heroically to a 2-1 lead before conceding a late goal to bring it to penalties. Conrad Knight will save two and Hampton to win 4-3 on penalties in the end. I’m excited to see Josh King running the midfield (the English Pirlo)
Seb R
The coach journey to Stoke has definitely got us all in the mood for what promises to be a competitive battle against Shrewsbury. Hampton have done it before and I believe that they will certainly do it once again and bring the trophy back to where it belongs! The Yellow Wall will for sure have a massive part in the big final and we will have to be singing the new chants at the top of our voices – especially “Coombs is on fire, your defence is terrified!” I’m confident that the trophy will return to the Hampton trophy cabinet after a strong 2-1 victory at Stoke.
Harry D (underestimating the dominance of the Lions)
For me, I think the mighty Hampton will triumph today. They’ve done it before, and they can certainly do it again. My prediction is that Hampton will win at a comfortable 3-1 with a Coombs hat-trick. I’m excited for the crowd, we’ve practised all our chants and are ready to support the boys. Come on, Hampton!
Hayden E (a correct prediction!)
After the glorious victory, Ralph C (3A) stepped in to offer a match report that perfectly captures the magic of the cup.
The game started well with loudness from the travelling Hampton fans and the energy seemed to transfer from the energetic pupils to the prepared players. This meant that Hampton found a chance to get an early start and Ben Robinson did just that with a neat finish following some impressive build up play.
20 minutes after this cameo the game had settled down slightly and Mr Ritchie and Mr Burke noticed that too and decided to bring on the fan favourite in Josh King. After a mere 5 minutes Josh found himself with a chance to make it 2-0 and put the final firmly in Hampton hands. Convincingly, he put the chance in the net making the score 2-0 after just 25 minutes. After a cogent first half the players walked into the dressing room and the fans the food bar.
As soon as the game resumed, Hampton found themselves with a score to defend as the Shrewsbury captain took a shot from outside the box that found its way past a brilliant Conrad Knight. After a short burst of pressure from the Shrewsbury players, Alex Di Soccio found himself dribbling through the Shrewsbury defenders before neatly finishing it in the bottom corner of the goal. Hampton just had to see out a couple of waves of attack and they would be ESFA champions for the second time in four years. The match official put four minutes up on his board and it was only a matter of time until the final whistle blew and the Hampton First XI were crowned ESFA champions once again.
What a day!
Cricket Report
Let’s hear about the U14B cricketers victory against Harrow to make it two wins from two this season:
On a warm, sunny day the Hampton cricket U14B team made the journey to Harrow School to play their second match of the cricketing season, coming off the back of a narrow game against Merchant Taylors’, which Hampton won in the final over thanks to three sixes.
Though the pitch looked slightly suspect, the game went ahead as usual with Hampton captain Jack Y winning the toss and electing to bowl. Tight opening bowling from Alex W, Ben F and Shivang S kept the scoring rate to around five an over in the opening stages, before Shivang took the opening wicket with a simple, quick, straight ball, catching the batsman out LBW. Another wicket was soon to follow as the other opener, going for a quick two, was run out unfortunately to give Hampton a good foundation for the remainder of the Harrow innings.
Harrow looked to regain control and some big hitting from their number three pushed them back into a more favourable position, but Shivang managed to take two crucial wickets through a series of short deliveries picking up two caught and bowleds. Spinner Ameya M added to the Harrow misery with his first wicket of the game and season, before a pair of brilliant in-swinging yorkers from new bowler Jaipaal G cleaned up two more of the home side’s batsmen.
Now into the tail, Ameya picked up another wicket as a simple catch was skied to Will K at point. Though a brief show of resistance was put on by the Harrow lower order, their innings came to a shaky close, with a run out from the very last ball thanks to a great throw from Ben F and great work behind the stumps by wicket keeper Charlie M. Harrow had reached 123-9 off their 25 overs.
After tea, Charlie M would then walk out to open the batting alongside Stanley A, the pair fully focused on achieving the 124 run target. Unfortunately, Charlie would not have as good a time out in the middle as he did behind the stumps, as he was removed early for a duck after miscuing a drive directly into the hands of cover. Captain Jack Y and Stanley looked to rebuild, but another wicket was soon to come as Jack Y was clean bowled for 2 off a skiddy delivery.
Out came Will K at number 4 to join Stanley, the two immediately looking in control. Stanley in particular looked comfortable against the Harrow bowling attack, smashing numerous boundaries including two big sixes. Meanwhile Will K supported him well, adding a few boundaries of his own and keeping the scoreboard moving.
It wasn’t long before Stanley reached fifty greeted by cheers from the other players, scoring 8 fours and 2 sixes in his knock. Unfortunately, soon after number four Will K was removed for 23 and in came Adi K to help guide Hampton to a victory that was now in sight. Stanley was then also dismissed, smashing a ball straight up into the air, and he left the middle having scored 58.
Luckily for Hampton, Aditya K and new batsmen Stefan H played well to guide Hampton to a routine win, Aditya finishing on 10 not out and Steffen on just 3 not out.
Two (or four) truths and a lie
Last week, Mr Lee was our resident liar.
He tried to convince you that these were all true:
- Mr Lee once won a ballroom dancing contest
- Mr Lee is scared of heights
- Mr Lee has seen the band Bon Jovi perform live on two separate occasions
Well, Mr Lee has won a ballroom dancing contest, which should be no surprise to anyone when you consider the grace with which he moves. He is also scared of heights, which is ironic as he is about 9 feet tall. This leaves the final statement as the lie, but only because it understates how many times Mr Lee has been to watch Bon Jovi – he has actually seen them perform three times, which beggars belief, to be honest.
As promised, this week’s two truths and a lie comes with a couple of twists. Firstly, we have a visiting liar – Mr Leafe has come all the way from the Fourth Year tutor team to join in. The additional twist is that Mr Leafe’s aversion to lying is so strong, that he wanted to offset his lie with FOUR truths, meaning that the whole thing needs a one-week-only rebranding as four truths and a lie. Cast your eyes over the options below and see whether you can pick out the untruth.
- Once Mr Leafe met Harry Maguire at a black-tie function and strongly felt that at that moment they were essentially equals
- Mr Leafe has never eaten a yoghurt
- If Mr Leafe hears the phrase ‘sweet treats’ he physically shivers
- Mr Leafe used to be called Mr Leaf, but changed his name by deed poll as he felt his original name was ‘too common’
- Mr Leafe once won a head-to-head mascot race dressed as a duck, defeating a crocodile
Surely none of this can be true. It is your job to work out what is untrue.
CONNECTION CORNER
Well done to the everyone who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner. Merits go to all those who correctly guessed that the answers were all British Prime Ministers. Big shout out to Albert S, Azam A, Joshua C, Jasper E, Adam M, Oliver A, Leander K-B, Jude LS, Neel M, Prabhodha A, Alex W, Ben B, Joshua R, Ollie W, Samuel H and Ameya M.
Another tricky one to have a go at over the weekend:
In case, you’re still perplexed here are the answers from the last week’s conundrum:
In which month is King Charles III coronation due to take place in 2023? May
What is the surname of the family who take in Paddington Bear? Brown
Which actress voiced Princess Fiona in the Shrek films? Cameron Diaz
Who took over Jessica Ennis’ mantle as the best British female heptathlete? Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Connection: British Prime Ministers (Theresa May, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Boris Johnson)
