Welcome to the Fifth Year Blog!
What a half term! The Fifth Year have been up to numerous interform competitions, a Geography trip, embracing revision sessions, discovering more about A Level options, and have found the time to be successful with many individual wins in competitions ranging from sport to languages.
Our Blog writers have once again been busy rounding up some of the key events, interviewing a new member of the Fifth Year team and investigating teachers’ perspective of the upcoming mock examinations. And all that’s left for us to say is Happy Christmas from everyone in the Fifth Year team!
Interform round up
Our interform competitions have ramped up this half term. We have enjoyed friendly competition between forms on quizzes ranging from Art to Geography, as well as competing over basketball sporting prowess. A summary of the results is below, followed by an excellent piece covering the basketball by Rajvir D (5F).
| Interform points | |||
| Form | Geography quiz | Music quiz | Basketball |
| A | 4 | 6.5 | 10 |
| B | 5 | 4 | 25 |
| C | 7.5 | 5 | 4 |
| D | 9 | 3.5 | 15 |
| E | 0 | 9 | 12 |
| F | 3 | 2.5 | 2 |
| G | 2 | 6.5 | 6 |
| H | 7.5 | 13 | 8 |
| J | 13 | 0 | 18 |
In a thrilling display, all nine forms in Fifth Year Year took to the Sports Hall showcasing a high level of skill, teamwork, and determination in the basketball competition. Every form was placed into a group with two others (forming three groups) and only three could come out victorious. 5D had won pool A, kicking off the tournament with an impressive start, demonstrating numerous strategic plays and precise passes. 5B came out on top in pool B, illustrating some exceptional plays; coordinating each of their movements and capitalising on countless scoring opportunities. In addition, the favourites to win the entire competition, 5J, won their pool and highlighted impeccable shooting plays, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats. Besides this, form 5E (despite not making it to the top three) managed to finish in fourth place with their tireless spirit and relentless effort. However, from this point onwards, it was all to play for.
Initially, 5J took on 5D and from the very first whistle, both forms displayed brilliant skill and hunger for victory. Nevertheless, despite 5D putting in their best efforts, 5J picked up a great win, executing various intricate plays, utilising their heaps of talent within the squad. Next up, 5D went up to battle hard against 5B but unfortunately just came short which meant 5B would proceed to play against 5J to make an extremely entertaining final. Tension was building. It was an end-to-end game with both teams having the win in sight, but as the final whistle blew, only one team could come out on top. 5B illustrated great pieces of skill, however, 5B accomplished the win by never giving up and communicating together well, as a team.
Take a look at some of the action from the Fifth Year basketball competition:
A fantastic Football win
Ollie S (5F) tells us about a superb victory for Fifth Year footballers in the inaugural Independent Schools Trophy:
On Wednesday 8 November, the U16A footballers took part in the Independent Schools Trophy tournament. Not only was it the first time that the competition has been held, but it was a privilege to play it at the famous Arsenal’s youth academy training ground, Hale End. Moreover, the team faced competition from five of the other best footballing schools in the country in a league format.
Our first game saw us play Royal Russell, a strong side who we have had many tough battles against. The team’s eagerness to impress was evident, and a deserved 2-0 win was the perfect start to the day. We then faced Bede’s School, who were another team we knew well, and despite an expected win, the team came out the wrong side of a 2-0 score line. This was an early blow to our trophy hopes, yet we had time to regroup and focus on the matches ahead. Next, we faced Brooke House from Leicester. Although they had the majority of possession, the team’s determination and spirit resulted in a 1-0 win. With two games to play, we knew that two wins would be enough to make us victors. Legs were becoming tired, and a share of points looked inevitable against Buckswood. That was until our efforts were rewarded with a goal with limited time to play, and one final match against Dulwich left. Credit to all of the squad and their fitness, a brilliant 2-0 win was the outcome, and Hampton had won the tournament. We collected medals and the trophy up on the balcony, before taking photos with Mr Knibbs. All in all, it was a tremendous day, topped off with a win that was testament to the hard work of the squad and our coach Mr Mills.
the teacher behind the paper
Fedor A (5A) gives us a fascinating journalistic view of mocks from the perspective of Hampton teachers:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas! And it’s approaching inexorably. There is no guarantee that nature will bring snow to the English soil, but we all know that we are approaching the time of the mock exams, which pupils take as seriously as the real exams. We know a lot about the excitement of pupils, how diligently (not always, though) they revise, frantically trying not to miss a single opportunity to practise with new types of tasks, and to have time to rest for Christmas. However, because of all this, the teachers, and their role in the mocks, and most importantly, their opinion, takes a back seat. Yours truly decided to rectify this misunderstanding in the public mind and interviewed a couple of different teachers from various departments. Do teachers get excited before exams? How important and useful they consider them to be and what place it all takes in their system of professional values. Here is what I found.
In the Chemistry department, my teacher answered me cheerfully (even with a note of pride) that he did not feel any excitement. Excitement is the prerogative of the pupils, it is their responsibility to prepare for mocks, and teachers should be ready to check them. Yes, checking dozens of papers can sometimes be exhausting, but it’s part of the job, and a useful one at that. It was said in such a calm and impartial tone that I immediately remembered that I was having a dialogue with a science teacher. At the same time, the teacher praised the pupils, saying that they realised the importance and usefulness of these exams, so they were working hard to solve past papers and were genuinely interested in what might await them in the exam.
In the English department, I was told in a balanced way that everything depends on the person, both the pupil and the teacher. The teacher I interviewed was only worried about how the pupils were preparing for their exams. Sometimes it is not easy for teachers to let everyone prepare on their own because not everyone is sure how much pupils realise the seriousness of these activities. For the pupils, however, the teacher sees the exam as a test, not always easy, but necessary, for merit is always rewarded. And the teacher sees a chance, too, in the fact that if a pupil has has not performed as well as they should, there are a few more months after January to improve their grades. Despite the tedium of the mock examination, the teacher would not refuse it, for it is an integral part of the work with Fourth and Fifth Year, and the teacher likes to work with these ages.
My Maths teacher also responded that the teachers are genuinely worried about the pupils, the amount of work they have to revise and how responsible the pupils are in the freedom they have. The amount of papers that teachers have to check is sometimes heavy, but it is part of the work that needs to be accepted. I asked about sleep: do teachers sleep less during exam weeks. The answer pleased me: despite the increased workload, yes my Maths teacher sleeps just the same. Concluded, the teacher likes working with Fourth and Fifth Year pupils and seeing a gratifying result at the end, so he wouldn’t mind checking mocks.
To end on a unifying note, I wish the teachers and Hamptonians reading this not good luck, but prudence and some internal peace. You have all done a great job and deserve a well-deserved rest. Your attitude to work as a duty cannot be characterised in any other way than the highest virtue.
Dum vires annique sinunt, tolerate labores.
Docklands Geography Trip
Monty S (5A) gives us a flavour of the recent Geography trip to Docklands.
On Friday the 24 November all Fifth Year geographers met outside of North Greenwich Tube station at 9am to begin their urban fieldwork trip. Each geography class walked to the cable car service over the river and began filling out their geography booklets. On the cable car we were able to see clear changes in the land use of the London Docklands, which would aid us in answering our enquiry question: ‘To what extent had the London Docklands changed over time?’ After finding a good seating area outside of the mayor’s office we walked to the Excel Centre and filled out our geography booklets further.
Following on from the Excel Centre, we took the DLR and walked to West India Quay to conduct our first questionnaires and methods. Following on from our Environmental Quality Surveys that we would conduct throughout the day at various areas, and annotating historical photos, we had our lunch in Canada Square, Canary Wharf that was at the foot of many high rise buildings such as the HSBC Tower. Up until lunch time the wind made it very cold, however thankfully the sun finally appeared and it was beginning to warm up. Each group then conducted further Environmental Quality Surveys along Cross Harbour, Pepper Street and Tiller Road up towards the Greenwich foot tunnel under the river. After a brisk walk we found ourselves at Greenwich Pier, filling out our booklets for the last time, and boarded a boat to take us back to the London Eye Pier and then back to Waterloo station. Overall, a very fun and insightful trip that certainly helped us with our classroom geography, whilst all pupils were able to see key geographical areas and we are grateful to each teacher who made this trip a possibility!
Meet Mr Mr Rudajev
Avi B (5E) caught up with Mr Rudajev, Maths teacher and one half of 5J’s tutor team.
What three words best describe you?
Energetic, passionate, diverse.
Which subject do you teach? What’s the best part about it?
Maths. It’s different to other subjects, because learning skills is only one part of it (skills being anything from addition to algebra to calculus). The real beauty lies in problem solving when you apply the concepts that you have learnt – it takes skill and is often very rewarding.
How has it been settling into Hampton?
Hampton is great because most pupils have a desire to do well in their subjects. Of course, you see different results depending on which people you teach (some find numbers easier than others) but the best feeling as a teacher is knowing your pupils want to succeed and then get the outcomes they deserve. Also, my colleagues are enthusiastic about their subject, which makes them approachable even if I didn’t know them that well earlier on
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of School?
Football and tennis have always interested me. Growing up in France and then teaching in Los Angeles, I’ve ended up supporting PSG, LAFC, and Chelsea – I also coach a football team at Hampton. In general, I like watching movies and TV shows for entertainment.
What’s it like being a Fifth Year form tutor?
Being a Fifth Year tutor is especially good because I get to meet the only year group which I don’t teach maths for. Meeting as many people as I can, as quickly as I can, means that I get to know a wider range of pupils (so I can hopefully help them better during my time here).
SPECIAL SHOUT-OUTS
Joe T (5C) and Ollie S (5F) for being selected for the ISFA under 16 national team – an amazing achievement.
Gabriel K (5E) for winning one of only two runner-up prizes in the Year 10-11 category of the UCL Classics Essay Competition. This year’s question was ‘How are Persia and Persians represented in ancient Greek sources?’ He focused on the play, Persians, by the tragedian Aeschylus. A smashing achievement!
Oliver D (5G) for winning the second prize in the Beginner Category in the 2023 ‘Chinese Bridge’ Mandarin Speaking Competition for UK Schools.
Well done to Noah K (5J) who won best delegate in the Human Rights Committee, and Gabriel K (5E) who won the commended delegate in the Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee at the recent Benenden MUN Conference.
SHOEBOX APPEAL
Hamptonians spent the week organising, filling, and wrapping over 100 shoeboxes to donate to Solace Women’s Aid. Solace is a leading specialist charity in the UK supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The lifesaving support that Solace provides to over 20,000 women, children and young people each year is so important. Each form donated items including stationary, toys, hygiene products, games and so much more. The donations will certainly make a huge impact on those in need and the life changing work that Solace do. On behalf of Form Charity and Solace, we would like to thank all Hampton staff and pupils for their valuable contributions to the shoebox appeal this Christmas.
Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Unsung heroes
Out of a whopping 65 nominations for the coveted “unsung hero” award, we congratulate the pupils below on their kindness, friendly manner, and all-round embodiment of what it means to be a Hamptonian as we recognise them as this half term’s unsung heroes.
Arjan W (5C)
Really approachable, polite and encouraging. He is always very kind and caring towards others.
Dexter B (5B)
He epitomises the ancient notions of a dignified man with all the virtues due to him.
Jayden P (5B)
Always helpful and kind. Friendly and super honest when speaking to them. He deserves to be recognised for being chatty and actively listening.
Jonah M (5H)
Has been very helpful around the form room, and treats everyone with kindness.
Leo M (5E)
He’s a really selfless person, always there to help you if you need anything, and in general this, along with being extremely kind and caring, makes him a great friend. He has a positive aura around him and is a great friend to everyone.
Raphael T (5F)
Always helping and supporting me in all my lessons, just a great friend. A friend always helping others and always putting others first.
Taran I (5C)
Really nice guy – never heard him make fun or be mean to anyone. Always happy to help if I’m struggling with any work.
Will M (5A)
He always puts others before himself and is a great team player.
