Welcome to the First Year Blog!
Spring is making a slow but determined comeback at Hampton. The sun has peeped out more often, the wildlife has woken up, the flowers are blooming, and my hay fever has decided to bloom right along with them. It has been a lively week, with First Years buzzing about everything from the School production of Treasure Island, to more musical performances and cultural celebrations.
A huge well done to our finalists in the Hampton Innovators Competition for their brilliant ideas to help push Hampton’s eco‑thinking forward. Don’t forget about Project EXPLORE either, especially now that the weather is looking a little friendlier for outdoor adventures.
Plenty to enjoy in this week’s blog already, so let’s dive in (and carry on collecting those merits!)
BRIGHT MINDS, GREENER TIMES
A huge congratulations to our brilliant finalists in this year’s Hampton Innovators Competition, run by the Environmental Society. The challenge was to design an idea that would help Hampton move towards a more sustainable future, and our First Years rose to the occasion with imagination, creativity and plenty of green thinking.
Well done to:
George U (1P)
Simon B, Andreas C, Mahad B (1B)
Sebastian F (1L)
Yuvi U (1F)
TURNING THE PAGE TO ENGLISH WEEK
Because English Week is coming up very soon, I felt it was a good opportunity to write a little about the subject. English is amazing, full of big questions and engaging stories. It is one of my favourite lessons and I have loved it at Hampton so far. Every week, we go to the library to read a book for our reading projects. In the morning as we enter the library, I can almost feel a wave of tranquillity and relaxation wash over me. We go into the quiet room, take out our books, and read for the whole lesson! Recently, I read the Explorer by Katherine Rundell, an adventure where four children get stranded in the Amazon rainforest and learn to survive. It was a great book and I highly recommend it. Usually, we read for our reading projects, but now that we have completed them, we can just read for pleasure! Doing this is one of the highlights of my week and I can’t wait for more. Finally, as I mentioned, English Celebration Week will be in a couple of week’s time. There is so much to explore, from the Junior Writers’ Room special session to figuring out who the Masked Readers are. Which teachers do you think are hiding behind The Lion, The Beekeeper, and The Tower? I am eager to solve the mystery of who they really are! I am very excited for English Week and I hope you are too!
By Aiden G (1J)
In a couple of weeks time it will be English Week. There will be plenty of English activities running for all year groups and there was also a video on ‘surprise readers’, which are teachers. There is a tower, a lion, and a beekeeper. We got five clues for each so we could work it out. I have no clue for any of them!
Since I am currently studying ‘The Tempest’ in English, I decided to do some research about the book in further details so I can improve my understanding and celebrate English Week at the same time. Here a few of the facts that I learnt: the Tempest was likely inspired by the 1609 Sea Wreck off Bermuda; some of Uranus’s moons got their names from the Tempest (Miranda, Caliban, Prospero, Stephano, and Ferdinand were only some of them), and it was the last play that Shakespeare wholly wrote himself.
Other ways which I am doing this are reading every night and (trying) to start writing by book again. I can’t wait for English Week.
By Aahil U (1G)
TREASURE ISLAND TRIUMPH AND BACKSTAGE BRILLIANCE
On Tuesday, I went to watch an outstanding performance of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island in the Hammond Theatre. It was performed by more than 30 pupils from Third Year to Sixth Form and some other excellent performers from the neighbouring school Hampton High. But we could not forget the backstage crew who really made it happen and some were only from First and Second Year! I thought it was one of the most magnificent plays I have ever experienced. I thought my favourite actor was the person who played Squire Trelawney. He played the character with such expression and enthusiasm. I would rate the play 10/10 stars as it really was incredible.
By Edward G (1J)
Our School production of Treasure Island at the Hammond Theatre was absolutely epic! We used the script by Bryony Lavery, which was a really cool version of the story with some great twists. I was working backstage on the tech team using QLab to run all the VFX and SFX, which was a bit nerve-wracking but so fun. I had to trigger everything from the beautiful twinkling stars during the night scenes to the loud, sudden gunshots during the pirate battles to make it all feel real. Miss Tiller was our director, and Mr Thompson and Miss Thomas also helped us get everything ready for the big night. Another annoying thing was the curtain got stuck on the first night! However, we just continued and it was such good fun. It was such a brilliant experience being part of the crew and seeing all our hard work come together on stage!
Our next play at the Hammond is the Lower School production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
By Ruben V (1F)
A MAGICAL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
Last Friday, I went to another school to perform my Indian Classical Sitar. My close friend’s mum spoke with the Headmaster of the school to perform in one of the two assemblies. It was an enjoyable experience performing in front of an audience in which no one knew me well. I must admit though, I was feeling quite timid before I performed and addressed the audience.
The day started with the same old alarm bell ringing, interrupting my wonderful dream, like a film director yelling at me. I heaved myself out of bed, and said to myself, “There is something very important today” (and the answer is not that it is Friday). Then it dawned on me. I was playing at the school. I did my daily routine (funnily enough!) and got dressed. Today, however, I dressed extra smartly, not like the “oh who cares if you don’t have an ironed shirt,” but in the “I need this to be perfect” way. Even in my games kit, I felt pride, and like a businessman going for a serious meeting.
We left the house to drop off my sister for her early morning squad and headed off. The car ride there felt like the wind passing by like nothing happened. In the car though, I was nervous and out of my skin, wondering about the worst possible outcome, which is to mess up on my pieces. I was trying not to let this get to my head, as I was getting nervous by the minute. We went to my friend’s mum’s house, where we waited till 8.25 am ready for the gates to open.
As I walked through the front gates, I had a taste of those old primary school vibes. A kind teacher led me straight to the main assembly hall. I got myself set up ready to play. My hands felt tense. My feet were slippery thanks to sweating. I felt that my sitar would fall off my feet in the middle of my performance! At last, the children came into the hall, each one of them glaring with curiosity at my instrument like a foreign object from an unknow planet. As the children settled down, the headmaster did a short quick introduction of what the assembly was about and handed the stage over to me.
I introduced myself to all the children and told them a few things about the sitar. Some of the things I told them about were parts of the sitar, all the strings on the sitar and about the raagas we play. Then, I introduced my piece, and in a jiffy, I started strumming away. I played Raaga Mishr, which means a composition which is a mix of different raagas. I think I played fluently, with rhythm and in time. Before I finished, I played a remix of two film music songs, a perfect way to tie into our Music lessons at Hampton. The songs were Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. Everyone guessed Harry Potter, but I do not think anyone knew Game of Thrones theme music. Anyway, after playing, I bowed to the audience and packed away.
I was led out of the school by the headmaster. Before I left, I thanked him for the opportunity to perform here, as few people get this opportunity. And so, after that, I resumed the ‘continue’ button on my life! Overall, it was really a nice and wonderful opportunity to perform outside of school. I will admit, it is quite daunting to perform to an audience who you know nothing about. It really does change the mood, but once you get into a “rhythm” and almost speak to the audience like you are a member of the school, it is not so bad. I was grateful for this opportunity, and I hope I can perform in many other places!
By Avirat P (1H)
PERFECT PIANO PRIDE
Today I would like to mention the exceptional lunchtime recital! When I first went there a couple of weeks ago, I was extremely excited and a little nervous. However, when my trembling hands touched the majestic Steinway piano, I felt a sense of relief. Then I played and played and played! Oh, I loved every second of it. I must admit that I found it quite daunting and scary but, I trusted my learning and let my hands take the keys away! And I adored it; I kept coming back to the Hammond to play my pieces. I found the experience astonishing. Today I played chopsticks and found the experience brilliant. As a standard performance etiquette, we are expected to announce the title of our piece and bow after we have finished performing!
If YOU would like to have a chance relishing this spectacular opportunity, then come to the Garrick building. Then if you turn right and look at the sign board, you will see the recital sign-up sheet. Enter your name, form, piece- name: can be ANY instrument, and the duration of the piece. Then show up at the Hammond at the given date! Mr Chakravarty has tirelessly prepared all the epic recitals, so huge plaudits for that! Also, Mr Roland always encourages boys before there big moment and is always enthusiastic! Thank you, Sir!
Conclusion: Overall if you love music and an urge to perform – then the Hammond Theatre at most Friday lunches – may just be your perfect fit!
By Ronak B (1F)
celebrating the NEW YEAR
Every year around February, there is the Chinese Festival of Spring, where people celebrate the coming of the Lunar New Year. This year it was on Tuesday 17 February. The celebration starts many days earlier, when we prepare food, clean up the house, put up decorations, write ‘‘spring festival couplets’’. These are basically shortened poems or prowords, written in black ink with an old wooden pen.
On the eventful day before, we all had a meal with our friends and family which included twelve dishes in total! This was very fun and at the end also get red packets (with money inside) alongside the amazing food we have. After all, the festival is a time where people meet and a time of unition between the family and friends.
By Yifan C (1L)
RESILIENT REDS
I usually spend part of the weekend watching the Premier League if time allows. For the past few weeks, Manchester United have had an impressive run of form after a slow start to the season and a change in leadership. You can feel their growth – not just in results, but in how they play with renewed confidence and purpose.
What’s most striking about their recent performances is their endurance and resilience. It’s the kind of resilience where players chase every loose ball, track back and keep pushing until the final whistle. That spirit reminds me of what we’re taught about sticking with hard work. Teamwork has also been at the heart of their success. When they attack, the wingers join the centre-forward; when defenders step up, the midfielders drop back. It’s like watching a synchronised routine where everyone contributes and the results are much better than if each person worked alone.
There’s a lesson here that goes beyond football. Endurance, resilience, and teamwork are qualities that help in daily life, not just sport. Carrying on when things get tough and working with others often leads to better outcomes. If we can bring the same mindset to our studies that Manchester United bring to the pitch, there’s no reason we can’t stay just as determined when it comes to working toward our aspirations.
By Hiu Yeung K (1P)
MERIT CERTIFICATE CELEBRATIONS
By the time Wednesday’s Period 4 had finished, I couldn’t wait. It was such a big day because I finally got to go and see the Headmaster to get my 100th academic merit AND my 50 LION merit certificates! Every single time I got one, I felt like I was getting closer to meeting Mr Knibbs for the second time. I had previously met Mr Knibbs near the end of January (for my 50 academic merit) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn’t alone though. I had two other people in my form, Arthur C and Joseph C, who got their 50 academic merit certificates. We were joined by three other pupils and headed into the Headmaster’s Study. We were warmly greeted by Mr Knibbs and had a wonderful talk with him. After all of that, we agreed to hastily eat our delicious noodles for lunch and head to play some football. Now, I think that is what you call an action-packed lunchtime!
By Pesandu W (1W)
This week, I had such a massive day because I finally got to go and see the Headmaster to get my 50 merit certificate. If you have read these blogs before then you will know I already have got it, but this was even more special to me as at Hampton you can get LION Merits for helping others and displaying Hampton values. I’ve been counting my merits in the merit book for ages, and every time I got one, I felt like I was getting closer to the meeting Mr Knibbs. I was so excited as not many people have got 50 LION merits and even though there were lots of boys in the Headmaster’s Study that day, only a few were actually getting LION Merits.
He looked at my certificate which had the same date as my birthday! It’s cool because when you’re in primary school things feel smaller, but getting a proper certificate from the Headmaster in secondary school feels like a much bigger deal. We even shook hands. I’ve put the certificate in my bag, but I’m definitely going to show my parents as soon as I get home because they know how much I wanted to reach this milestone. Now that I’ve got 50, I’m already looking at the 100 merits certificate (triple gold), which is going to be way harder, but I think I can do it if I keep focused!
I am not going to reveal where I get all these from, but if I reach 100, I will tell you in the blog. Keep reading!
By Ruben V (1F)
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 Inigo M (1L) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week!
Inigo always gets on with everything asked of him quietly and calmly and has made a superb start to his time as a Hamptonian. Well done Inigo!
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:
The missing name that completes “The _____ Sport Centre” is Steedman! A big shout out to the First Years who correctly found the answer to last week’s Hampton Hunt – Barney D, Guy H, Aditya S, Nicholas M, Ruben V, Yifan C, Miguel B, Noah P, Cyrus T, Ronak B, Lenny M, Aiden G, Pesandu W, Hiu Y, Luca A F, Alexander B, Arjun A, Finley S, Sam P, Koye O and Alex W.
This week’s challenge:
Let’s see if you were paying attention to Mr Clark’s interesting assembly on Monday. These mysterious squares of unknown function are found in the Main Hall. Where else in the School can you find these?
HINT: It’s somewhere that you will likely pass through every day
