Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
A lion was spotted wandering the grounds of Hampton School this week! No, it was not the man-eating type. Indeed, it was an Upper Sixth Hamptonian (identity undisclosed) in a furry, yellow suit starring in the Leavers’ Video. Other excitements this week, included the Hampton Maths Competition on Wednesday and the national Junior Maths Challenge on Thursday. When Second Years were not doing sums, they were working hard in lessons and honing their cricketing skills. The first matches against Merchant Taylors’ last weekend were challenging and we have an honest report in today’s blog.
Have a great weekend!
MERIT MILESTONES
Another bumper week for merits! Well done to the following Second Years:
Ollie Syers – 10
Neil Thakur – 20
Neil Thakur – 30
James Nunn – 40
Aleksei Lekhanov – 40
Patrick Hobbs – 70 (super!)
Oliver Yang – 80 (fabulous!)
Manav Krishna – 100 (tremendous!)
Armaan Virdee – 110 (wow!)
Lion merits:
Ben Jago – 10
Cricket news
With the start of the cricket season upon us, Joe B (2B) gives us an update on how are Second Years got on during the opening weekend:
Last Saturday, the Second Year Cricket As, Bs, and Cs went to Merchant Taylors’ School. In the C team match, we lost the coin toss, resulting in us batting first. This was a pretty good outcome because it was a brisk morning, and the pads kept us warmer than if we had been fielding. I opened the batting with Alex G (2B), and we stayed as a batting pair for about five overs (30 deliveries) before Alex was run out. Finn R (2J)) came in next but was unfortunately bowled out off four balls. Alexander K (2B) then came in but was also bowled out. Then came Isaac dQ (2W), who was out a couple of overs later. I stayed in until the 11th over but was bowled out. It was a difficult innings and we set a low score. We fielded well, with me, Alex G and a few others getting wickets, but they beat us very comfortably. A disappointing day out but there are plenty of matches still to come.
Maths Challenge
Following excellent performances in the Hampton Maths Challenge, 34 First Years and 30 Second Years qualified for the Hampton Maths Invitational in the Lecture Theatre. The young mathematicians had around 50 minutes to solve a variety of unfamiliar problems, some of which were much more demanding than the typical textbook question. The highest scorers in each year group will make it through to the final round, the Hampton Maths Olympiad, later this term.
Badminton and Table tennis club
Neev G (2L) tells us about two of the most popular lunchtime clubs:
During Monday lunchtime, I went to my first club of the week! Badminton and Table Tennis Club. It is one of my favourite clubs as I absolutely love badminton and any racket sports in general like tennis or pickleball. That Monday, for the first time I’ve seen, it was relatively empty. Due to this lovely news, my friend and I were able to enjoy a good, long game of singles. I won, of course! I hope that I’ll be able to go to every session from now on. Though after this advertisement it might not be as empty!
Lesson of the Week – History
Jamie S (2W) gives us an insight into one of our Second Year History lessons:
This week, 2W faced their first fully independent task in History. The task was to create a virtual museum on Sir Walter Raleigh and was up for interpretation with Hamptonians having different options to choose from. The majority of pupils chose to approach the task through PowerPoint however each with their own individual twist. For example, I did a tour guide with audios in my PowerPoint to really help imagine a museum. Some other Second Years took their project down a different path, some essays, some paper drawn etc… Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most famous explorers during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Raleigh was also a scholar and a poet, but he is usually remembered for introducing the essential potato. Overall, the task was an exciting one, it was a chance to show off creativity and ideas about Sir Walter Raleigh and his expeditions to North America.
Celebrating Tamil New Year
Adharsh A (2F) tells us about one of the traditions he celebrates:
On the 14 April, people from Tamil Nadu (including me) celebrate a festival called Tamil New Year (Puthandu). Puthandu marks the start of a fresh year on the Tamil calendar. Tamil New Year is celebrated with rituals including an early morning herbal bath; Kolam house decorating (a pattern we design with coloured rice powder); wearing traditional clothes and offering special dishes like Sweet Pongal or Pachadi. We also offer prayers to God and to our ancestors seeking blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
After praying, we prepare a feast which has two types of pachadi, two types of vegetable side dishes, sambar (a South Indian lentil and vegetable stew), rasam (made with neem flowers), payasam (a sweet rice pudding), vadai (doughnuts made with spices instead of sugar) and we end with buttermilk. We always include raw mango and neem flowers in the menu.
Meet the Mentor
Upper Sixth Hamptonian James G, mentor for Form 2L, answers questions from the whole form:
How have you found your role as a mentor?
It’s fun! I come here and sit in the form at a registration or lunchtime. It’s not too hard work. I had mentors, some of whom were better than others, and I try to turn up and to be someone you can talk to when you need to.
Do you remember your first day at Hampton? And any memories of Second Year?
I remember taking a photo in my school uniform, and having to introduce myself to the form. I remember Mr Hill going through the School handbook and the rules. The first day of school was a lot of fun.
A memory from First Year is that Mr Hill had a big plaster in the middle of his forehead – he hit it on something in his kitchen!
Sport in Second Year – playing cricket, football and rugby. And a Head of Year detention… Not a good memory!
What are your top moments at Hampton?
I really enjoyed joining Genocide Awareness, and I could really see the impact that it had on Social Media. I made a video on the Holocaust which was spread around local schools, so I think it was really worthwhile. We won the Interform Cup in Third Year which was a proud moment! Second Year Swimming Gala was a lot of fun. I remember going to Valencia in Spain in Second Year and that was a real highlight. If you get the opportunity to go on any School trips abroad, I’d really recommend it – it’s lots of fun!
What are your A Levels and plans for the summer?
Chemistry, Biology and Maths. To study Medicine. I’ve got an offer from KCL (applause!). I’m really looking forward to being a doctor, but slightly dreading A Levels. We’re going to Andalucia with some friends in the summer, which will be a lot of fun. I’m quite a big fan of Art, so I might go an see a couple of art exhibitions.
What is your advice for the summer term?
Make use of the deli bar, once the exam years leave. It’s a real life-saver. If it’s really hot, the library is the only place in the School with air conditioning, so make the most of it. Academically, start doing something now, before you get too close to the assessments, and make sure you have revision cards and such done, so you’re ready to get started on your revision. For oral exams, write out one of two sentences for each question, and practise with friends. Practise building your answers from your script. Everything you do now with your Spanish will help you so much with your GCSE – it’ll make life so much easier in the future. That’s my top tip!
Who’s your favourite artist? Music and art?
Salvador Dali in art. For Music, Kendrick Lamar and Radiohead. And lo-fi study music!
How do you stay eco-friendly in School?
Think about your food waste. Never take food that you’re not going to take. Other than that, I’m not sure… I take the School coach!
Do you recommend reading lots of books?
If you enjoy it! I enjoy it. I have had around 150 loans from the School library during my time. If you don’t enjoy reading, do something that you enjoy doing – it’s up to you!
Do you have any book recommendations?
It depends what you’d like to read. An author I used to read a lot of at your age is Bill Bryson. He writes a lot of travel books.
In First and Second Year, what co-curricular did you do?
I’m going to be honest with you – I didn’t do that much early on. I wouldn’t recommend that. I did do Drama and DT Club, though. MUN is something I’d really recommend, especially if you’re looking into taking any humanities further on. If you’ve got subjects you enjoy doing, do something related to that. Also, sport counts – if you’re into that, really go for it. The cricket games I’ve had at Hampton are some of the best times I’ve had here. I got a hat trick bowling against Fulham Boys in Second Year!
Do you play any musical instruments?
No!
What do you do on the coach on the way to School?
Listen to music and sleep. I used to play Flappy Golf and Fortnite in Second Year. We used to play games every day!
Form Charity Bake Sale
Don’t miss this term’s Form Charity Bake Sale to help raise funds for our three charity partners: Jamal Edwards Self-Belief Trust, the Woodland Trust, and Children at Risk in Asia.
Cakes and other baked treats will be available for pupils to buy at morning break in the Cloisters, costing 50p or £1 per item. Head to the Cloisters at break time on Thursday 2 May, there promises to be lots of tasty treats on sale!
Talk!
Don’t miss the first Talk! of the summer term and the unique opportunity to hear from two specialists from the world of humanitarian aid and disasters, Professor Ian Davis OH (1955) and David Peppiatt OH (1987). Listen to their experiences and get first-hand account of what it is like to be an aid worker on the front line and the challenges they face trying to ensure aid reaches civilians devastated by war or natural disasters. Come along to the Hammond Theatre on Wednesday 1 May at 1pm.
Find out more here.
SPECIAL SHOUT-OUTS!
Shout out for Monty R (2L) who played the JDC darts tournament in Coventry last week.
Another shout out for Jai K (2J) who came third at Wightlink Chess tournament (Blitz) in Open section this weekend.
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 Mrs Whitwam (v.whitwam@hamptonschool.org.uk).
QUIZ OF THE WEEK
Well done to everyone who had a go at last week’s quiz. Merits go to:
2J: Neil T, Josh B, Joshua A, Devan D
2F: Daniel S, Adharsh A
2W: Laurie L-T, Shiv V, Isaac d Q, Huw C, Benjamin J, Vayun J
2B: Joe B, Sebastian W, Alex G, Devam K
2H: James G, Manilo C, Louis S, Josh D
2P: Sion K
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.
This week’s brain-busting quiz questions have a nature theme and come to us from Neil T (2J)! Why don’t you have a go and enter your answers here.
Here are the answers to last week’s questions:
- In which year were the first laws of cricket believed to have been written? 1744
- Cricket umpires use a large variety of signals to make sure that the correct scores are kept. What does it mean if an umpire raises both arms straight above his head? A six has been scored.
- Which team won the first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975? West Indies
- What is the term for a cricket over in which no runs are scored from hits? A maiden over
- Cricket has only been featured in one of the Olympic games. In which year did it feature? 1900
