Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
Only one week to go until half term and it has truly flown by! This week is Biology Week which means there have been lots of exciting events and talks from wildlife photographers, researchers from the Natural History Museum and we can’t forget the animal encounter, when a range of different and exciting creatures visited the School.
I’m so glad to see you’re all still excited about clubs and co-curriculars, so please read on to find out more about some clubs you might not even know exist, such as Theatre Tech Club or Dungeons and Dragons Club!
Merit Milestones
Another bumper week for merits! Well done to the following Second Years:
Tom Staton – 10
Edison Yip – 10
Arik Kuzmis – 10
Ari Emanuel – 10
Joe Bates – 10
Gabriel Knowles-Szuniewicz – 10
Danyal Pasha – 10
Louis Chun – 10
Alp Ozcagli – 10
Josh Kim – 10
Isaac de Quintal – 10
Zidan Akhtar – 10
Anthony Simonov – 10
Patrick Hobbs – 20
Tutor question of the week
Each week the pupils decide on a question to ask all the Second Year form tutors. This week we kept our question food related and this one caused quite the debate amongst your form tutors! Some of them even hated a food so much they have added additional options…
If you could banish one British foodstuff into Room 101, what would it be?
- Beans on toast: No one
- Black pudding: Miss Tiller, Miss Holt, Mrs Richardson, Mrs Kirby, Mrs Whitwam, Miss Mattinson, Mrs Owen, 2L
- Marmite: Mr Worrall, 2P
- Christmas pudding: Miss Holt, Miss Winstock, Mr Sims, Mr VA (had very strong opinions on this…!)
Added options:
- Beetroot: Mr Sims
- White pudding: Mrs Kirby
Have you ever had a burning question you’ve always wanted to ask your form tutors?! If so, then please send your suggestions for next week’s Tutor Question Time to b.tiller@hamptonschool.org.uk.
Meet Mr Vann-Alexander
Our weekly interviews are a great opportunity for you to find out a little bit more about your Tutors! So, thank you to Joshua A (2F) who interviewed Mr VA, RS and Philosophy teacher and one half of 2F’s tutor team!
What would be your first instinct in a zombie apocalypse?
I’m not a fan of scary movies, especially ones that involve zombies. My top priority would be to find my family and make sure they’re safe.
As my RS teacher, I thought I’d ask a subject specific question – Which apostles, in your opinion, met an untimely end?
It’s hard to say which apostles suffered the worst fate since different sources tell different stories about how they died. Plus, I’m not sure if getting into the nitty-gritty of their deaths is appropriate for our Second Year Blog… But just to give you an idea, John and Bartholomew might have had some seriously gruesome endings.
Who is your favourite comic book character?
I absolutely love Superman, and I don’t think he’s boring at all. If you haven’t checked out any of the Superman comics, I highly recommend All-Star Superman. The reason I love Superman so much is because of his kindness. He’s always ready to help anyone in need, whether it’s fighting super villains or saving a cat stuck in a tree. Simply put, Superman is like Paddington Bear with godlike powers. I hope Superman is in Paddington 3!
What is your favourite TV show?
The Simpsons might not be as good as it used to be, but the first 10-12 seasons are pure gold. You’re in for a treat with most episodes as they are guaranteed to make you laugh and even shed a tear or two.
What was the most difficult choice in your whole life?
In my mid-20s, I took a big gamble by deciding to leave my job as a Personal Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach and become a teacher. Until then, my entire adult life had been focused on being a self-employed worker in the fitness industry. It was a tough decision to give up years of hard work and leave my hometown, but I knew I had to take the chance.
If you could go to only one fast food place for the rest of your life, where would you go?
McDonald’s: I can eat a frightening amount of McNuggets and Triple Cheeseburgers (hold the ketchup, mustard and pickles).
What is your #1 pick on your bucket list?
One of my life goals was to eat so much at an all-you-can-eat buffet that they would actually ask me to leave. I did it! I’m setting my sights on some cool places to visit like The Vatican, The Holy Land, and Ghana. But my top priority is hitting that 300kg deadlift. I’m hoping to crush that goal by the end of 2024.
Name one famous celebrity you have met and one who you most like to meet:
When I was in primary school, I got to be a mascot for Newcastle United, which gave me the opportunity to take penalties with Alan Shearer. It was an incredible experience and something that I will always treasure. Although he may not be too keen on it, I would love to meet George R. R. Martin, the author of my favourite books, just so I could ask him when he plans to finish the series.
Biology week!
Biology Week got off to a cracking start with the animal encounter and the assortment of strange and wonderful creatures that visited the School. The lucky First and Second Year Biologists were eager to meet the collection of furry and scaly friends. We were treated to an introduction where we had to find animals hidden around the Lecture Theatre, such as a Taiwanese Beauty Snake and a White’s Tree Frog. We then sat down and handled some of the animals, such as a scorpion, a barn owl and even a meerkat. Finally, we met the big crocodile, Jay Z (it wasn’t too large don’t worry) and this was a happy reunion for me, as I had met the croc seven years ago at my sixth birthday party! Thank you to Mrs Martin and Miss Towler for organising this great event and letting us meet the exotic gang of animals!
By Fred O (2B)
Football Fixtures!
On Saturday, the U13B team went up against Thomas’s Battersea for a fixture. We knew we were the underdogs in this match as we were playing Thomas’s Battersea’s A team. The game kicked off at 9.30am and it definitely kicked off with a bang. Five minutes in, Thomas’s Battersea noticed their chance to strike early in the game as they headed the ball into the back of the net – only to find out it was the wrong net. The game continued as 1-0 to Hampton until the second half. The second half started off with plenty of excitement, as Henry S lifted the ball across the box to an awaiting striker – me. Birthday goal! 2-0. The next goal occurred when Henry launched a thunderbolt from inside the box which glided past the goalkeepers’ fingertips. 3-0! We thought we had the game under control when our defender slide tackled the Thomas’s Battersea’s striker which resulted in a penalty. 3-1. Almost in rapid succession, Thomas’s Battersea had brought the game to 3-3, but the match was not over yet. A burst of speed from Sewon P pierced their defensive lines and passed a ball through to me, and I was brought down inside the box. Our best penalty taker stepped towards the ball, ready to take the shot. The ball flew on target but the keeper made a great stop and it remained 3-3. The match ended in a draw, and we now have Forest School to play next.
By Benji J (2W)
Scholars’ Concert
This was the night in which I would play in the Scholars’ Concert. As the ringing of the bell signalled the end of the day, I made my way to the Garrick Building. When I arrived, I lined up with other music and choral scholars to sign in. I was directed to P1, where the scholars would stay until their rehearsal, and eventually the concert. We waited there for a long while. My heart stopped I came to realise it was already time for my rehearsal. I grabbed my flute and ran to the Hammond.
Fortunately, there had been a minor delay, so I was in fact early. After, a violin and a voice rehearsal respectively, it was my turn. I went through the piece with the accompanist without any mistakes and skipped back to the Garrick, deciding my performance later would be easy. However, I wasn’t prepared for what would be coming at me…
After a brisk dinner of sandwiches and crisps, we all reclined onto the first and second rows of the Hammond Theatre. Mr Roland gave us a briefing of expectations and what to do on stage before the audience filed in. Before I knew it, the concert had started.
A series of performances passed, then disaster struck. My sheet music had dropped into a narrow gap, into the deep, dark depths of the orchestra pit… This is when I panicked. Although I had practised without the manuscript and was sure that I could do the same on stage, my blood ran cold. I stepped onto the stage and greeted the audience before the accompanist came in. My piece, Tambourin, started. I went through the piece, occasionally missing some notes, to the double-tonguing at the end. As the piece ended, the audience clapped and I thought, ‘Maybe it would have been better anyway without the sheet music!’
By Yule O (2F)
Study Techniques
As we’re getting into the swing of things this term, there are end of topic tests and assessments in some lessons, Adharsh A (2F) has some tips to help you study!
These are some study techniques to help you with your tests. Firstly, try to memorise and learn the information needed for the test. Secondly, test yourself on it. If you get it correct, look at it one more time. Come back to your desk a few hours later and test yourself again to see if you get everything correct. If you get it wrong, look and read the information very carefully and come back a few hours later to test yourself. If you are on Quizlet however, memorise and learn the Flashcards, then use the Learn mode until you get them all correct. Then, do the Match mode. Lastly, use the Test mode and keep repeating until you get more than 95%. Once you do, then learn the questions you got wrong!
Awesome Art!
For the last few weeks in our Art lessons, we have been looking at Cubism – which is looking at objects from different perspectives. We drew three different drawings of the three same objects, but each from different angles. I put some objects facing the other way, some upside down and even others balancing on top of another. We then had to trace the drawings onto the same piece of paper, so that there will be some overlaps. This week, we started painting our drawings, with each section being a different colour to the one next to it. This creates an interesting effect and results in the painting fragmented and/or abstracted. I have really enjoyed doing this piece of work and it was very fun!
By Oliver Y (2P)
Club of the week
Dungeons and Dragons Club!
Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) Club is a club all about DnD and playing it. You might know a bit about it. The actual club runs on Mondays where you can play a campaign (an adventure with a storyline) with a couple other people. Bring friends as you need at least two people to play as adventurers and then one more to play as the Dungeon master. However, if you have just started playing, We would recommend you play with an experienced player as a DM (Dungeon Master) so that you are able to learn the rules of the game as you progress but you as a group so that you learn the game together.
Every Wednesday lunchtime, me and my friends, play a different DnD campaign in our form room. It is a board game where there are 2-4 players, and one Dungeon Master, who is basically our controller. It is a thrilling roleplay game, where you play as characters who go on action-packed adventures, seeking gold and fighting against enemies. We have our own sheet, where we write our statistics for categories such as wisdom, strength and charisma. On our sheet we also add our weapons, backgrounds and experience points (EP), another perk you get when defeating your rivals. You, along with other players, go on a quest for any reason, and your Dungeon Master controls you, the enemies you face, and your luck. For example, if your DM was feeling happy, he may make your character find a magical leaf, which grants the player who found it a certain amount of XP, which may enable them to level up, therefore making the character and your team stronger. However, if he isn’t feeling nice, he may trip you up so you lose hit points. The DM also has many books, which tell the story, which they must loosely follow, so it is okay to stray away for a bit. The actual club runs on a Monday lunchtime at 12:35pm in S18. This club is open to everyone, but you might find it difficult to join a campaign as they have already started playing, but you still might be able to tag along. We would highly recommend you come!
By Vayun J and Max G (2W)
Theatre Tech Club
On Monday (first half of lunch) Shishir and I attend Theatre Tech Club which runs most days of the week, depending on what plays are happening. We programmed some lighting which Mr Thompson gave us clues, which we all managed to figure out. The first play which we can help out in is MacBeth, which is after the half term, and I’m excited to work on my first show!
By Joshua A (2J)
Chess Club
As the lunchtime break began, we started to arrive, taking our seats at the chess boards. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and relaxation, as players chatted and laughed while setting up their pieces. Matches began spontaneously as we challenged each other to games. The diversity of playing styles and strategies was evident as some people adopted aggressive tactics while others favoured more conservative approaches. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about enjoying the game and learning from each other’s moves.
Chess Club is a fun club on Thursday lunchtimes which mostly run throughout the whole of lunch. It is a fun place to play with your friends or be in a competitive battlefield. Get it! Battlefield! Oh ok I guess that wasn’t funny.
By Jai K (2J)
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
It’s your last chance to get hold of tickets for this year’s Senior Musical, the deviously delicious sci-fi smash hit musical, Little Shop Of Horrors! The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II”. This R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination! Click on the link here to buy your tickets for what promises to be a great evening!
Clubs Galore
Have you discovered a new passion this term? Have you become an expert at something new? There’s still one more week of half term to discover a new lunchtime club, so take a look at the full list in the booklet below:
Special Shoutouts
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school and to celebrate your successes in the Second Year Blog! Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Miss Tiller. B.Tiller@hamptonschool.org.uk
QUIZ OF THE WEEK
Well done to everyone who had a go at last week’s quiz. Big shout out to Form 2J with the most entries, can anyone beat them? Merits go to:
2J: Siddhant S, Shishir V, David W
2L: Macsen B, Armaan V, Neev G
2W: Vayun J, Anthony S, Isaac d Q, Brooklyn N, Dean B, Inwoo Y, Benjamin J
2B: Alex G, Joe B, Ekam R, Dennis H, Jiashan L, Gabriel KS
2H: James G, Joshua D-L, Manilo C, George S, Lucas T, Matthew K
2F: Oscar F, Ben J, Daniel S, Yule O
2P: George V, Sion K, Oliver Y
Take a look at this week’s questions – have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer. Points for the Interform Competition will be awarded to the form with the most entries over the term.
Take a look at this week’s quiz questions. Why don’t you have a go and enter your answers here.
Here are the answers from last week’s quiz:
- What is the largest bone in the human body? Femur
- In the state of Georgia, it’s illegal to eat what with a fork? Fried chicken
- In what country would you find Lake Bled? Slovenia
- What is the biggest selling music single of all time? Candle in the Wind
- What is the third most expensive car brand in the world? Bugatti
