Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
Welcome back Second Years! I have really enjoyed seeing you all back in School, catching up with each other and telling tales of your summer holidays – it sounds like you all had wonderful adventures and now you’re ready to jump right into your Second Year here at Hampton. The Second Year team are excited to get to know you all and wish you a successful and fulfilling year, which we look forward to documenting and celebrating in our weekly blog. I wonder what this year will have in store for us!
First Day Feelings
Devam K (2B) has written a fantastic reflection on how it feels to return to Hampton after a long Summer break:
Last Thursday marked the beginning of my Second Year at Hampton School, and I was thrilled. As I walked into School, I couldn’t help but notice the new First Years. They seemed just as lost in the hallways as I was when I first arrived. My own first year came rushing back as I strolled through the crowded corridors. I remember feeling a mix of awe and confusion. The School’s layout can be a bit intimidating when you’re new, and I had to rely on the kindness of older pupils to find my way around.
Now, in my Second Year, I’m familiar with the place. I know where the classrooms are and many of the great teachers. It’s quite a transformation from feeling like a bewildered newcomer to a second year. What struck me the most was how much I’ve learned about the school along with my peers, in just a year. My First Year wasn’t just about lessons and assignments; it was about figuring out my place in the school community.
As I observed the new First Years trying to find their way and making friends, it brought back memories of my own early days. Those first friendships are like the glue that holds your school experience together, especially during the tough times. Walking through the same hallways that once bewildered me, I now felt a sense of belonging. It’s a rite of passage, transitioning from being a bewildered newcomer to a confident Second Year, and it’s amazing to see the new Hamptonians embarking on this journey. As I watched them, I couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic for my own First Year and excited for the adventures that lie ahead for these newcomers. Welcome to Hampton School First Years – your journey has just begun, and it’s going to be an incredible experience!
What it’s like to be a new boy in the Second Year:
For the first two days, I was travelling all the way from Sutton just to get to school (1-2 hours drive) so I had to wake up quite early, and it was quite hard after a long summer! I arrived at school 15 minutes late because of the traffic, and when I entered my form room, there was already a slide saying (“Welcome to 2F, Adharsh). Everyone was really kind towards me (e.g., helped me around school , and they helped to make my transition smooth, along with the induction day. So far, my favourite subject is Maths. I have also signed up to 3 clubs : Badminton and Table Tennis, Chess, and Maths. It has only been a week, and I have already gotten used to the school!
Co-curricular Fair
Last Friday was the day of the Co-Curricular Fair, where First to Third Year pupils can see what clubs there were for the next week. There were new clubs and returning clubs and I was to choose as many as I wanted. I picked four clubs: Theatre Tech, Climbing, Spanish Fiesta and Geography Club. I met lots of my friends and different teachers running the clubs. I was very similar to last year’s fair where I chose clubs which I had never seen before. It was a nice experience to see the clubs and I hope one day, I would be able to run my own club.
By Joshua A (2J)
On Friday at lunchtime we had the chance to go to the Co-curricular Fair. This is an opportunity to immerse yourselves in the fun and magic that clubs can offer. Me and my friends entered the fair in trepidation of what we would see and we weren’t disappointed. Clubs were waiting to be uncovered, desks were full of previews of which clubs you can do! Tech, Music, Physics and much more! I left with my mind full of imagination of all the clubs I had signed up for. Physics Club and Geography Club would be and blast! In Minecraft Java do we actually play Minecraft? It’s an unmissable opportunity!
By Siddhant S (2J)
On Friday last week we had the Co-curricular Fair, with lots of different stalls for showing people’s clubs. The best one I saw was Theatre Tech Club which I had never seen before. It was very fun on Thursday, getting to see all the light and sound tech. Other fun clubs included Chess Club and Geography Club, both of which were very fun last year. I look forward to trying new clubs this year.
By Shishir V (2J)
Take a look at the full list of all clubs, societies and other co-curricular activities on offer in the booklet below:
With over 130 clubs and societies on offer, the biggest challenge will be deciding which ones to join! Keep an eye out for notices from your Form Tutor for any changes to this year’s clubs.
Football Report
On Saturday, the Hampton U13 teams played several matches against Wilson’s School in Croydon. The U13A team drew 2-2 unluckily, but they played an amazing first game back. We (the U13B team) dominated the whole match, creating chance after chance and we played some lovely patterns of play. We went 2-0 up with two great and well worked goals. In the last five minutes of the game, we dropped our standards and conceded two really bad, unlucky goals. Overall the team played a great game and I am excited to see how we progress through the season.
By Cillian C (2F)
Symphony orchestra auditions
Last Monday, the Symphony Orchestra auditions took place. After school, a wide variety of new musicians arrived in the Hammond Theatre. First, the Symphony Orchestra members and the auditionees had a quick rehearsal of the pieces we could potentially play. We then waited patiently for our turn to audition. Finally, it was my turn: I walked into the room with my instrument, nervous but hopeful. After my audition, I exited with high hopes, with an email two days later informing me that I had achieved my goal! Although it was by audition, I felt ecstatic after reading my email.
By Louis C (2J)
Swim test
On Tuesday at 12:35pm, we all met at the edge of the 3G, waiting to start the swim test for the Watersports Trip to Dorset. Expectant, we started walking over to LEH, thinking about how hard the swim test would be. Some of us – the ones who had been on the other Adventure Society trip to Dorset – had already done the swim test but we all still wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible (mainly because of lunch). We walked into LEH, the girls staring at us like we were aliens, and patrolled through the cafeteria towards the pool. We got changed, some of us very quick and some not so quick. Then, we all put our names down and started to swim. Most of us (as much as I could see) were fine, and it did not take long for it all to be over. We then got changed back into our school clothes, tucked in our shirts, and started the walk back to school. With the swim test done, I am now really looking forward to going on the trip to Dorset, as well – I am sure – as the others who are coming along as well.
By Oscar S and Nico W (2F)
What no water!
On Wednesday many schools and houses were affected by a massive issue from the Thames Water supply, this is due to low water pressure and water shortage. This meant that many schools are West London had to close. Some of these schools are LEH, Buckingham Primary, Twickenham Academy and our school, Hampton. Reason being without the ample amount of water needed in an emergency, the whole building could be a health hazard. For many residences of Hampton, the low water pressure was a mild inconvenience, but it could be more dangerous!
By Kian T and Yevin S (2F)
My rugby world cup experience
Last weekend I went to the Rugby World Cup in Marseilles, with my two brothers, parents, and one of their old friends. We went for three days and two nights, and we left promptly on Friday evening after school. All of us went to watch two of the best matches of the tournament: England vs Argentina and Scotland vs South Africa, both games were very high quality and the results could have been better, England ended up beating Argentina 27-10, which my dad (as an Englishman) was delighted about. However, the next day Scotland lost to the world champions18-3 which upset my Mum (a proud Scotsman) and my eldest brother, (who hates to see England win). On the other hand my parents’ Uni friend couldn’t have been more happy as he is from South Africa! Soon after that disappointing loss we left the stadium and grabbed a steak and chip sandwich from a nearby food stall. We hung around for a while and then headed back to our apartment at around 2am and had a not so nice 2-hour sleep before we woke up at 4 am to get the plane back to the UK.
By Archie S (2F)
Summer shout out
A huge congratulations to Jai K (2J) for winning Second Place in the National Youth Chess Championship Finals in the Under 14 section. Jai was also then selected by the England team in the Flanders vs England tournament, in which England took home the trophy! What a great success, Jai!
Club of the week!
This week’s featured club of the week is… Physics!
At Monday lunchtime I went to Physics Club which I attended in the second half of lunch. In Physics Club Siddhant and I (in a pair) made a bridge out of paper straws, Sellotape and newspaper which could withstand 1 kg. Siddhant and I made the bridge which could not unfortunately hold 1 kg. Although our bridge collapsed, we got a merit for participating. I would highly recommend people who haven’t gone to this club to come.
By Danyal P (2J)
Quiz of the week
Every week, we’ll challenge you with a few tricky questions! Why don’t you have a go or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer. 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 over the term.
This week’s quiz questions come to you from Yule O and Mattie R (2F). 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 which Form is crowned our weekly champion.
Remember to write your name in the form so you can be credited with merits!
