Welcome to the First Year Blog!
It has been a busy week, and an important one for reflection. This week we took time to remember, coming together for our Remembrance Assembly to honour those who gave their lives in conflict. It was a moment of quiet, respect and thought, of which our First Year were a vital part.
Elsewhere, it has been a week full of lights, nerves and applause. We start our articles with a celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, complete with glowing candles, a feast that sounds good enough to make your stomach rumble, and a sparkling finale of fireworks. Then we head to the Main Hall for the Bebras Computing Challenge, where brains were squeezed. We finish on the Hammond Theatre stage, with our New Pupils’ Concert, highlighting the musical talent joining our School.
All about Diwali
Today was Diwali. I waited a year for the day. An Indian festival has dawned over me, much to my delight. It was a Friday, which sadly meant school. I departed on the coach and returned on it. And when I stepped off the coach, I felt the luxurious feeling of the weekend, a time where I could relax. But that was currently at the back of my mind, as Diwali was at the front. I walked home and when I burst into the house, it was filled with candles burning brightly and only then was when I realised what the festival of lights is and how it is celebrated. Time flew by and before I knew it, it was time for dinner. This dinner was special. It was only vegetarian as it was Diwali. There was paneer, bhindi, black chana, and chapati. Scrumptious, beautiful-looking food was perched in front of my eyes. If I could, I would easily eat all of it up. I did that, just with the portion that was placed on my plate. Mid way through my delicious food, a yellow drink arrived at my chair, in a glass cup. It took a moment to realise that it was my favourite drink, MANGO LASSI! I took a sip and my mouth squealed with delight; it was even better that I could remember. Like everyone says, time flies by when you’re having fun! And it did. After my dinner, sadly I thought it was time for bedtime. But I was wrong. It was time for… FIREWORKS! We lit mini fireworks in our back garden, and I watched it in awe. My eyes glowed at the beauty of this activity.
This is truly what Diwali is all about…
By Auryn V (1L)
Computing Challenge
I was skipping towards the Main Hall, not worrying in fact just the opposite. I had now experienced many tests and one instinct that broke in was to stay calm and breathe and that was how I was really excited for this brain squeezing, problem-solving competition – the Bebras Computer Challenge.
For the people who haven’t done the test yet, I will not spoil it but one thing I could say was that it was fun (at least more fun the other tests we did across academic studies). Whispering with my friends I was pretty satisfied with how much my friend, and I were all agreeing with the same answer increasing the probability of full marks. However, even if I didn’t get a good mark for the Bebras I knew that there would be next year and the next, so I promised myself that I wouldn’t make this much big of a deal. I would say this one thing that a movie once told me Hakuna Matata and you are right it is from The Lion King. I think that this is a quote we shouldn’t forget because whatever happens it is not the end of the world, so I am going to just take in the marks and won’t make a fuss out of it. And at least for now that is what I will do and remember because Hakuna Matata means no worries.
By Juwon K (1W)
Marvellous Music
My spine shivered in both excitement and anticipation as the musician before me just finished and is stormed with applause. Each second that flew by lingered in the air as I held my music sheet tightly in my hand. Would I play it correctly? I thought, as suddenly I could hear my heart beating. Silence filled the room. I took one step forward, hundreds of eyes on me as I walked through the stage, I sat down opened my book and placed my hands in their position. I took one quick look – the stage was mine – I glanced quickly at the audience and with a single note began my piece.
By Julian C (1W)
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
A big congratulations to Third Year musician Adam K (1W), who has just been selected to play with the National Children’s Orchestra (NCO). Bringing together some of the UK’s most talented young musicians, the NCO provides exceptional orchestral training and performance opportunities. What a fantastic achievement!
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 Harrison (ch.
Tutee of the Week
Every week, the First Year Tutor team nominate a Hamptonian who they have been particularly impressed with and Mr Hill and Mr Fuldner present him with a certificate and a tasty treat to eat!
Congratulations to Fabian M (1P) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week!
Fabian is consistently courteous and a considerate member of the form, and has made excellent contributions to life at Hampton this term! Great job, Fabian!
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! 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!
Last week’s challenge:
How many different languages can you find written in red in the language cloud in the Languages corridor? The answer was 9! A big well done to James Z, Willis L, Kabir C, Archunan V, Alfie D R, Auryn V, Joey L, Ethan D, Arjun P, Aryna P, Arjun I, Siddharth M and Akhil V.
This week’s challenge:
Where can you find this mosaic?
