Welcome to the First Year Blog!
Happy New Year and a hearty Hampton welcome back to all our First Year families! The spring term has kicked off with all the energy of a last‑minute winning goal (and as you’ll see in this week’s blog, our boys certainly know a thing or two about those…). After a well‑earned winter break packed with holidays, pantos, presents and even a pilgrimage to Barcelona basketball, the corridors are once again buzzing with that unmistakable First Year fizz.
The early mornings may still feel a little frosty, but spirits have been anything but – from pupils springing enthusiastically into lessons, to friends reunited over chessboards and chip‑butties. True to Hampton form, the boys haven’t wasted any time diving back into adventure: we’ve seen festive family traditions retold with flair, globe‑trotting sporting tales fast enough to rival a fast break, and more theatrical sparkle than a Palladium spotlight.
As we begin this brand‑new term and a brand‑new year, it’s the perfect moment for fresh starts, bold beginnings and trying something new. Whether it’s joining a club, picking up a new hobby, or even writing for this blog, there are countless ways for our First Years to leap into 2026.
Here’s to a term filled with curiosity, creativity and plenty of Hampton spirit. Let’s get this year off to a flying start. If this week’s stories are anything to go by, we’re already sprinting straight into a spectacular spring term!
AMAZING ART WEEK AWAITS
Get your paintbrushes poised and imaginations ignited – Hampton Art Week begins on Monday 19 January, and the School is ready to burst into a kaleidoscope of colour! This special week is all about celebrating creativity, noticing the Art woven into every subject, and discovering just how inspiring it can be to get properly stuck in and creative.
Starting Monday, the Art Department will have various crafty workshops, listed below.
Monday
Lower School Art Club at 12.35pm in F60 with Mr Bannister
Wednesday
Tie Dye in F60 at 12.35pm with Ms Elliott
Thursday
Clay Construction at 12.35pm in F60 with Ms Carolan
Lastly, the Art Department are running a competition where Lower School pupils are asked to design a neckerchief for Harris using our School colours.
Templates can be collected during lessons or from the Art Office and are due Friday 30 January.
BACK TO SCHOOL BUZZ
After the long-awaited and refreshing Christmas holiday, I am delighted that it is finally time to be back at Hampton to kick off the spring term. It has been a quick return to the School routine, and I have enjoyed engaging in different subjects during lessons, having fun in various clubs at lunchtime, and playing chess with friends in the morning.
Returning to Hampton after the Christmas holiday reminds me how much I enjoy learning and growing alongside my friends. Let’s make the most of the spring term and start 2026 with a bang!
By Hiu Yeung K (1P)
DIGGING DEEP FOR THE WIN
On a wonderful Friday, I got ready for an entertaining game against King’s College to end the afternoon. We had two games and played both with wonderful determination and grit. The first game we went 3-1 down and morale went low, but when we made substitutions (myself and Victor), we manged to claw back the game to 3-3 via a goal and assist from Victor. Time was ticking and every second became a nervous one, until I broke away with the ball and managed to find Victor in space to finish it off! The whistle blew shortly afterwards, and we were elated we managed to be able to dig deep and secure the victory. In the second match, we were feeling good about ourselves and managed to get off to a flying start. After that, goals started to fly in, and we managed to score 15 goals with no reply. At the end of a chilly week, our team enjoyed a wonderful afternoon after a fantastic victory.
By Pesandu W (1W)
MYSTERIES OF THE MIND
This week, I would like to talk about what we are currently learning about in RS/Philosophy: Hinduism. In the topic of Hinduism, we learn about Atman.
This is known to be the idea of true self. This is not the body, not the mind or emotions, but the inner essence of a person. Unlike the body, Atman is eternal and unchanging. Hindu philosophers believed that what someone appeared like on the outside at the deepest level they all share the same spiritual reality. Basically, Atman lies at the heart of Hindu philosophy.
To this modern day, Atman has many significances and advantages that are crucial to the human body. Mental wellbeing and resilience: Atman encourages detachment from constant stress. Ethical living and responsibility: Atman fosters compassion, non-violence and ethical behaviour.
By Owen S-W (1L)
HOOPS, HEARTBREAK, AND HEROES
During the Christmas holidays, I went to Barcelona and went to watch a basketball game between Barcelona and Monaco. I walked to my seat as the Barcelona anthem was playing and from the corner of my eye, I saw one of the First XI FC Barcelona footballers: Gerard Martin. Inside, I was going crazy.
Then, the match started. The first quarter was absolutely dominated by Monaco and even though the second was more balanced, Monaco were still winning by a landslide. It was then when something infuriating happened, the Barcelona head coach got sent off for complaining to the referee (in case you haven’t noticed I am a Barcelona fan). This made it onto the news, which was lucky for me as the back of my head made it onto the photo that came with the article!
I headed inside through the tunnel for the half-time break and when I came back out Gerard Martin was not in his seat. Before, he came out through the same tunnel as I did. So, I had to keep a close look out, as I was seated next to the tunnel. He soon came out. My heart raced. Immediately I jumped into action and asked him for a photo. He said yes and now I have my first photo with a celebrity footballer. I was so happy!
Monaco had been the superior team all half long and were beating Barcelona by a lot, but were Barcelona going to step up? The third quarter started and Barca started slowly gaining points on Monaco, but Monaco hadn’t finished. The second half was very close and even though we lost, I left happily because I got a photo with Gerard Martin.
By Miguel B (1B)
DONUTS, DRAMA, DAZZLE
Last weekend I went to the 10th anniversary of the annual London Palladium Panto on the last night. You may be thinking it was a low scale panto, but can you recognise any of these people: Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin (a ventriloquist), Nigel Havers, Rob Madge, Jon Culshaw. If you don’t recognise any of them, you might recognise Catherine Tate as the special guest! She has been in Doctor Who with David Tennant! In this blog I sadly cannot mention lots of the things Julian Clary said, but they were very funny!
Before going to the London Palladium, Me and my dad went to a restaurant called Flat Iron Steak. I would wholeheartedly recommend the blue steaks there. It was magnificent! After that I went to an Artisan Donut Workshop called Donutelier.
I must say: it was one in a lifetime experience. Though I might do the same next year! Have a look at the photos!
By Ruben V (1F)
SECRET SANTA SURPRISES
This winter holiday, we did something that is a family tradition… Secret Santa! It’s a fun game where you draw names out of a hat and whoever you get, you buy presents for. This year, I got my mum. If we fast forward to Christmas Day, it was finally time to find out who got you and what they gifted you. The night before we played a family game of Monopoly to decide who would open their presents first – I came third. On the day, my mum was really happy with her presents, and I was also lucky because I got the best present-giver – my Twin sister! She also guessed two of the things I wished for!
By Aahil U (1G)
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 Jimenez (v.jimenez@hamptonschool.org.uk).
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 Hiu Yeung K (1P) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week!
Hiu Yeung is always kind, welcoming, and fully embraces all aspects of life at Hampton. He has also been such a dependable contributor for the blog every single week – well done Hiu Yeung!
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!
The Hampton Hunt is back! Get hunting and earn your LION merit!
This week’s challenge:
Which city appears in the photo below?
HINT: You might be able to find the answer on a wall in the School!
