WELCOME TO THE FIRST YEAR BLOG!
Welcome back! After three weeks off the final term of the year has started with characteristic summer term weather: plenty of sun but also some hail- and thunderstorms! This term has plenty of exciting opportunities in store: trips for Biology and RS, interform competitions, quizzes, bake sales and activity days are all coming up in the weeks ahead.
Of course, this term also includes the end of year progress assessments, but as Mr Hill told all forms yesterday morning, please treat these as an opportunity to develop your revision skills and experience what it is like to have a lot of tests back-to-back in one week – as long as you give it your all, the week will be a success. And if you do find yourself worrying about it, please speak to your Form Tutors or Mentors.
In this week’s blog, we’re looking back at the Easter break and some activities in the last week of the spring term – enjoy reading and enjoy the term ahead!
NEURODIVERSITY: THE ENIGMA AND 100 YEARS ON
Ruaan V (1L) on the Neurodiversity week recently celebrated at Hampton.
In 1942, the Daily Telegraph hosted a crossword competition offering to donate £100 pounds to charity if any of the 30 competitors could complete the crossword in 10 minutes. An accountancy clerk, Stanley Sedgwick, who regularly did the normal Daily Telegraph crossword on his commute to work, was the best performer and caught the eye of the British Secret Intelligence Service, who were observing the competition. A week later, Bletchley Park hired Sedgwick to crack the infamous Enigma code – which Bletchley Park succeeded in doing – alongside legendary minds like Alan Turing. It wasn’t just the case of Stanley Sedgwick that was an example of the power of neurodiversity at Bletchley Park. Bletchley Park fully understood the power of neurodiversity, and that a room full of Alan Turing’s would have been tremendously capable individuals, but together no one would have anything else to suggest. This would have been the route to failure, as you need multiple perspectives to crack a multidimensional code like the Enigma code. And so, more than 50% of people who worked there were cultural historians and linguists and ethnographers. These types of people were employed specifically to break into the minds of the people who wrote the code, mind-reading them to observe their habits and common things in each writer. Bletchley Park used neurodiversity for what it is – an asset to any team. This pivotal moment in history is precisely the reason neurodiversity should be celebrated and should become the core of achievement in any team.
“This was a team precision-engineered to maximise the collective ingenuity of a human group.”
I had a firsthand experience as I went through the 11+, as I went to different schools for taster sessions, I met different people and understood how they thought about similar puzzles. It fascinated me that everyone’s approaches are different and unique. I travelled from school to school and thought about situations out of school, where people thinking in diverse ways could have a massive impact on the globe.
In a world where AI is becoming ever more influential, where will human intelligence take its place? What in our brains will dwarf the sheer precision of AI? I think that the only way we can surpass the thinking of AI, is if we work together as humans and utilise divergent thinking. That way we will match the capabilities of AI, and sometimes even developing better. As humans on this planet, in the age of artificial intelligence – a 100 years on from the Bletchley code breakers – when we have no idea what “human intelligence” will be relevant, the key to evolving is to get new ideas. And the key to getting new ideas is having neuro diversity.
Source: Matthew Syed Podcast interview & ITV Video; Andrew Lambert “Unveiling the Enigma Codebreakers’ Legacy and the Power of Neurodiversity”; Positive Momentum “Breaking the Enigma Code”
SOLAR ECLIPSE
Over the Easter holidays, my family and I went to America and Canada, where I saw the Solar Eclipse! We saw it on a guided tour where we stayed in a hotel very close to the famed Niagara Falls. We actually got to go into the mist of the falls, which felt like I was in a storm while the sun was shining! On that same night, we went to go see the light show, which was absolutely beautiful! The falls were coloured in so many different patterns, like the colours of the American and the Canadian flag, and even a rainbow! It was extremely beautiful, and I still don’t know how they managed to pull it off! But what I really want to talk about is the solar eclipse, which was so exciting to see!
As the tour group was coming back to New York (which was where our hotel was), we were on a crowded motorway as everyone wanted to go to the Niagara Falls to see the phenomenon. But it seemed no one was going to, because of the traffic. However, the skies were clear, so we could already see the sun turn into a crescent with our protective glasses. In the van, there was lots of “Let me see! Let me see!” or “Let me sit next to the window!”. Eventually our driver stopped at the side of the road to see better and to stretch our legs. A few minutes later, we were plunged into the darkness of (what seemed to be) the night! It went from day to night really quickly.
By Sujay N (1L)
SUPERB SPRING TERM
Despite the spring term being the shortest one, it was action-packed here at Hampton. Especially in First Year; from the Tea Party to the Haffa – amazing! Moreover, something that I personally found useful, and I’m sure others did as well, was the Q&A with four of the Upper Sixth prefects. It was a brilliant opportunity to ask a variety of questions, but also to listen to their advice on certain topics and hear their different Hampton experiences over their time here so far. To start off with, it was quite fascinating to hear a range of A Level subjects that each prefect was taking (Maths, Spanish, Computer Science, R.S). Subsequently, we were allowed to ask any queries or doubts that we had had. There were the likes of: ‘’How much revision do you need to do in First Year?’’, ‘’What has been your most memorable moment during the course of your seven years at Hampton?’’ To each and every question, all the prefects gave a detailed and nice answer – I would like to say a huge thanks to all of them for taking the time to participate in this Q&A.
From form room quizzes to dissecting worms in biology, my spring term at Hampton has been great. Now that I have made my new friends and that I have been in the school for two terms, I feel like a true Hamptonian. With Hampton blood flowing through my veins. There are so many things I have enjoyed in Hampton and if I write all of them then I’ll be here a while. From learning Latin, philosophy balloon debates, basketball in PE and a team analytical presentation in English this term has been outstanding.
Learning Latin has been a novelty. Latin is used in our everyday life and, in fact, nearly all the words I have typed here are derived from the Latin language. If you would ever like to study different sciences, Latin will help you, with things like the periodic table and animal classification. Did you know? Silver’s chemical symbol in the periodic table (Ag) derived from the Latin word Argentarius! In our lessons we don’t just learn what the meanings of words were, but also the history of the language. How interesting and insightful!
I really enjoyed our philosophy balloon debate on the meaning of life. It was not just intriguing to know about the philosophy but also to consider and question different meanings. During my research on which philosopher should be voted out, I came across an interesting fact – the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche inspired Adolf Hitler. I would say philosophy is all about asking big questions about life and then discovering the answers through everyday learning. One big question to consider – is there an after life?
Learning Basketball in PE has also been memorable, one of the things that I was never able to do before our basketball lessons was a lay–up! Lay–ups are easy shots, but I never actually knew how to do one. I have never played basketball before and our lessons in PE have been a real opportunity to play it in Hampton’s great facilities.
War poetry in English was one of my favourite topics this term. This was not just about writing but having time to acknowledge those, in script, who gave their lives for their country’s honour. In our analytical competition, with the grand prize of sweets, we were put into teams to be assigned our poems. We were given “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon and did an analysis of all eight stanzas. We divided the stanzas between the six of us and talked about his role in war and with a great team effort we won! We were given Haribo’s and Sour Patch Kids as a sugary reward. Yum!
My spring term at Hampton has been a real pleasure and I can’t wait to see what the summer term holds (& the start of the cricket season!) With every day being of a Hamptonian, I am delighted to take part in everything Hampton has to offer.
By Ethan S-W (1L)
FINAL RUGBY GAME
A picture from the final Rugby game of the season in the spring term – despite the 9-4 defeat against Harrodians the boys ‘try’d’ very hard and had an amazing two terms playing Rugby – many thanks to Miss Singleton and Mr Fakatou for a great season!
THAT HOUSE WITH THAT NEIGHBOUR
I would like to share with you a short story that I wrote in the The Writers’ Room. It is a club I really enjoy and one that I will recommend for future Hamptonians. The brief was not to include was and were, is and to be in any tense along with to have. Enjoy!
I did not see much distinctive features, but just a man strolling to the house. Then, I looked to the house. That house. The one with the crumbling roof. The tilted trees that reached into the sky with desperate branches as if imprisoned. Who lived in that place? What lives in that place? There was only one way to find out who my new neighbour was.
My new trainers carried the dew drops from the drenched grass as they squeaked down the empty street. I could feel a magnetic force urging me closer and closer to the crumbling cobbles of the tilted settlement. Despite my temptations, my spine shivered, and my blood curdled. I looked back as I could feel that this may be the last time I see the light of day.
The door seemed open as if anticipating my presence. Trespassing was not my concern as survival mattered more.
The trees, the grass, the cobbles, and the gate were all behind me. A dark veil limited my vision on the interior of the house. Damp, decrepit wood drifted up my nostrils. The doorknob stared at me, beckoning me to continue. So, I did.
I treaded on the floorboard carefully, checking whether I had the risk of making noise, or falling through. I could hear the echoes of dripping water, further in the distant corridor and a red source of light. This house reminded me of that creepy hide and seek game I used to play.
I could see stairs. Would that be too risky. Not even a question. No. I took the first two steps, and immediately regreted my decision. The flooring underneath the steps seemed so thin. I heard it. The sound of a living creature. A living person. A living thing.
The footsteps seemed to come quick. As if running. Running was my only option. I ran. I fell.
The planks of wood came crashing down upon my face and from a dearth amount of light it went to no light whatsoever. It was then when I felt a hand. A human hand…
By Ethan S-W (1L)
AMAZING THEATRE
Recently, I was lucky enough to discover that I would be going to the My Neighbour Totoro play at the Barbican Theatre in London. My journey started with a troublesome train journey before making it to the theatre. At last! My heart filled up with anticipation as the crowd began to quieten down as the play began. I found the play to be incredible and was amazed at how they created some of the hardest effects within the film. Overall, the play was great and followed the film really well and I would strongly recommend it to any fan of Joe Hisaishi or anyone who would like to try something new.
By Arjan C (1L)
BOOK REVIEW
Danny Dingle’s Fantastic Finds are suitable for people who are into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books although not for people who don’t like gross stuff, especially flatulence, puke, toads and sometimes pig manure! Danny Dingle is a super genius inventor (or so he calls himself) and is best friends with Percy who pukes a lot whenever he sees something disgusting. Percy can sometimes also puke at will. Then comes Superdog. Superdog is Danny’s pet (I don’t know why he is called Superdog, he is actually a toad). Danny thinks that Superdog is a genius in disguise. In school, Danny fails at everything except science. Here is the list of teachers. Mr Norton is the headmaster and has been at the school for a long time. He is bald now. Ms Mills is the strictest PE teacher in the world! She used to be in the army and still acts like one! She makes the PE lessons feel like military training. Next up is Mr Hammond. Danny likes him as science is the only subject he is good at. Danny’s dad was fired from his job for setting the factory on fire. The Dingles are now enemies of the Trumpshaws. Danny is now trying to outdo Gareth Trumpshaw (or who he called twit-face). This book is recommended for all ages.
By Ian L (1F)
TUTEE OF THE WEEK
Every week, the First Year Tutor team nominate a boy who they have been particularly impressed with, and Mr Hill and Mrs Peattie provide him with a football to use on the fields for the week!
This week’s tutee of the week is George B (1J) for his kindness, enthusiasm and hard work in all areas of school life – well done George!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school and to celebrate your successes in the First Year Blog! Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Mr Fuldner (d.fuldner@hamptonschool.org.uk).
THE HAMPTON HUNT
Each week I will set you a challenge where you need to find out a random fact, number or indeed anything else around the School – you won’t be able to do this from home! Points for the interform competition will be awarded to the Form with the most correct entries over the course of the term! You have until the end of Wednesday to complete the challenge; you will find out in next week’s blog if you’re correct, and you will be given a merit by your Form Tutor the following Monday. And who knows – you might get to know the School better in the process!
The challenge before Easter was:
How much money did the School community raise for ZSL (London Zoo)?
The answer was on the Form Charity noticeboard on the first floor – an impressive £3,579!
Well done to Shaurya D, Francisco C I, Harry C, Ian L and Vivaan S.
This week’s challenge:
how many steps do you have to walk up from the ground floor to get to the classrooms in the RS department?
