Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
It’s been a busy and important week for the Second Years, with all of you completing your end-of-year assessments. As the reflections in this blog show, it’s been a mixture of focus, resilience, and well-earned breaks along the way and it’s great to see how positively so many of you have approached the challenge.
Alongside the assessments themselves, there have still been plenty of opportunities to recharge and enjoy time together, whether through sport, conversations with friends, or simply taking a moment to pause in a busy week. This blog captures those experiences brilliantly, alongside some thoughtful advice and a range of achievements beyond the classroom.
This afternoon’s Interform Athletics promises to be a fantastic way to round off the half term, and we’ll be sure to report back on all the action when we return.
Congratulations to all of you for getting through the week so well – your hard work and perseverance have really shown. With the half term holiday just around the corner, there’s a real sense of excitement in the air and a well-earned chance to switch off, relax, and enjoy some time away from the classroom. Even better, the forecast looks set to bring some beautiful sunny weather – perfect for making the most of the break!
Merit Milestones
A big shout out to the following Second Year Hamptonians:
Fred Gey van Pittius – 10
Fred Gey van Pittius – 20
Fred Gey van Pittius – 30
Tom Coyle – 40
James Moody – 40
Fred Gey van Pittius – 40
Fred Gey van Pittius – 50 (Well done!)
Fred Gey van Pittius – 60 (Fred has been hoarding merits!)
Noah Liborg – 60 (Super!)
Edward Robinson – 100 (Wow!)
Assessment week reflections
Assessment week. Probably the most stressful time of the year for most of us. Probably the best time of the school year when it’s done… And finally, probably the best half term rest that we have when it arrives! However, we also had a few fun times in the week to enjoy other than exams! For example, the Tuesday sports slot. Whether you chose tennis, cricket or softball, it was an enjoyable time for all of us, and a well deserver break from the busy start to the week. Then we have interform athletics on Friday to finish off the week. We haven’t had it yet, but it will definitely be a festive afternoon of cheering and sports after our tests are finished. Finally, just the little things that made exam week enjoyable. For example, lunch time football or break time chats about how the exam was. Exams are a stressful time of the year, but there are also many things that make it enjoyable and, after all, it’s just Second Year exams.
By Emre K (2W)
This week we had the end of year assessments, which in my opinion have been going well. We’ve had a couple of revision sessions which definitely helped with some tests. We also had break between exams to play softball (or cricket or tennis depending on what you choose) for two whole periods which I think everyone enjoyed. It was a fun short break from the assessments! All in all, the week has gone by fine, and it wasn’t nearly as tiring as I thought it would be.
By Tom C (2F)
A few weeks ago, I discovered a masterful revision technique known as ‘the Pomodoro’. This technique consists of 25-minute intervals with five minutes of ‘break’ between each. This time management technique strategically breaks study groups down, preventing distractions and intellectual burnout. After completing four 25-minute slots (Pomodoros) take a long half an hour break to relax and revitalise your energy. The short 25 minute ‘sprints’ help make tasks seem more manageable, beating procrastination.
Despite this suggestions tardiness relative to the end of exam week, who knows? Maybe you can try it out next year.
By Juan A (2B)
This week we had our end of year exams which to many may feel stressful, but it is a chance for us to show how much we have learned. It also teaches important skills like time management, focus, and confidence under pressure. In the end, exam week can help us grow stronger and be more prepared for the future.
As a relax from exams and tests, we were lucky enough to get the chance to play softball and cricket, to take any stress off of our minds, and as usual, the softball activity was a bundle of joy. Our first game was against 2G where it was a close match, but they came out on top after many powerful hitters from their batters. We then played against 2P where we were beaten by a hefty score line. It felt like they knew where the ball was going before we had even hit it. Although we were playing for joy and entertainment, a victory would certainly make us even happier going into our our English exam.
We then played out final match against 2H, hungry for a win. We batted first and began to hit balls as far as we could. After a decent score batting, we needed to defend them now, which looked like a hard task. As the final innings came to a commence, we had won, but more importantly, we had a great time.
By Finn G (2L)
I will be writing about end of year process in Second Year. As much as not many enjoy it, doing revision and the extra work, it isn’t so bad. It also shows your weak spots and what needs to be improved and what your good at which is very helpful especially as it is only Second Year.
On the other side of it there were lots of fun sports activities that occured during this week such as interform athletics cricket and softball and even tennis. These occur in between our exams which gives us a little break. As well as lunch and break time which is very helpful for the mind and to be more productive and mainly its very enjoyable. My personal favourite part of the exams is when you’ve done your last exams end because you have finally done it and get to enjoy a lovely half term with no homework
Exam week involves eleven exams and, in the weeks before that we had music and drama and art. Some are much longer and shorter than other for example maths is one hour and 30 consisting of two exams and RS is forty-five minutes.
By Silas I (2L)
National Children’s Orchestra
My week at the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain Easter residential was one of the most intense, exciting, and rewarding musical experiences I’ve ever had. For seven days, around 100 of us — all under 13 —came together, each bringing our instruments, our energy, and a shared love of orchestral music. Being surrounded by so many talented young musicians from across the country was both inspiring and a little bit daunting, but mostly it made me want to play better every single day.
Our home for the week was the beautiful Sherborne Girls Boarding School. The grounds were amazing — wide open spaces, impressive buildings, and just enough room to unwind during our recreation time. The days were full and structured, with up to seven hours of music practise. That included full orchestra rehearsals as well as smaller sectionals, where we worked closely on tricky passages with tutors. Those sessions were especially important because they helped us refine the details that make a performance truly come alive.
Our theme for the week was Music in Motion, led by the professional conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa. The repertoire perfectly captured that idea. We played selections from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, including Symphonic Dances, Somewhere, and the energetic Mambo, which was always a favourite in rehearsals. We also explored works by Aram Khachaturian, including Sabre Dance — my personal favourite to play and listen to — alongside Lullaby, Gopak, Dance of the Young Maiden, and Mountaineer’s Dance. We also performed the dramatic Polovtsian Dances by Alexander Borodin, and the vibrant Qué Rico Mambo by Pérez Prado. Another standout piece was Conga del Fuego Nuevo by Arturo Márquez, which was full of rhythm and energy and is a well known piece.
Of course, it wasn’t all rehearsals. One of the daily highlights was the tuck shop — something everyone looked forward to — and we had about two hours each day to relax and socialise. The food was great too, especially the breakfasts, which helped set us up for the long musical days ahead. I liked breakfast.
The week built up to a spectacular final concert at the Bristol Beacon. Performing on such a big stage, playing music that professionals perform, was an unforgettable experience. It felt like everything we had worked on all week came together in that one moment. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it. Playing at that level, surrounded by such talented musicians, has motivated me even more. In the summer, we’ll all meet again for another residential week. My mum said the parents were so impressed.
I’m also hoping to audition again later in the summer for next year. It’s very competitive, especially for violin, where there are only about 30 places across Great Britain for my age group. Since violin is such a popular instrument, nothing is guaranteed, so I know I’ll need to work really hard to earn a place again. But after this experience, I’m more determined than ever to try.
By Raff OC (2W)
Football finals
The 2026 FA Cup Final took place on 16 May at Wembley Stadium between Chelsea and Manchester City. In a tense and tactical match, clear chances were limited for both teams during the first half. Chelsea enjoyed periods of pressure and created some promising opportunities, but city gradually gained control through possession and sharper substitutions. The decisive moment came in the 72nd minute when Antoine Semenyo produced a brilliant back-heel finish from an Erling Haaland cutback, scoring the only goal of the game.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser late on and also appealed for penalties during the match, but Manchester City’s defence held firm. Pep Guardiola’s side managed the closing stages professionally to secure another major trophy and Guardiola’s third FA Cup triumph as City manager.
By Kyle O (2W)
Club of the week
I really do love MUN Club because of its environment. I have been going since First Year and highly recommend because you learn public speaking and practise winning an argument. Furthermore, the people who attend the club are super nice and you can learn it quickly. I highly recommend for people who want to practise their debating and presenting ideas. Come along to the Lecture Theatre at the start of Tuesday lunch.
By Phillip V (2F)
Wellbeing Garden
The Hampton Environment Society received funding from the HSPA last year to create a Wellbeing Garden in the Geography Quad. This space is designed as a quiet area where pupils can read, work or relax if they need time to pause and reflect. Mr Knibbs and members of the HSPA officially opened the garden this week. If you’re nearby, do take a moment to visit this fantastic new space.
Guess the Film – Emoji Challenge!
Each week I will ask a different member of the Second Year Tutor team to tell me their favourite film – in emoji form! Your job is to guess the film and the teacher…!
👩🐇🍄🎩🐛
The answer from the last blog was Alice in Wonderland and is one of Miss Tiller’s favourite films.
We’ll be back after half term!
Pet of the Week
If you would like to submit your pet please email b.tiller@hamptonschool.org.uk
Quiz of the Week
Welcome to the Quiz of the Week! Every week, we’ll post five general knowledge questions. 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 quiz questions come to us from Lucas F (2P). Why don’t you have a go and enter your answers for this week’s quiz here:
Here are the answers to last week’s quiz:
- Which country has the most islands in the world? Sweden
- What is the bestselling PC of all time? Commodore 64
- What is the capital of Australia? Canberra
- What was the original name of GTA’s developer? BMG Interactive
- What is the oldest country in Europe? San Marino
Well done to the following Second Year Hamptonians who answered everything correctly – Harri C, Theo G, Ryan A, Harry T, Smyan M, Juan VdS, Diego C-G, Aarav S, Jesse G and Eil M.
If you’re keen to write some general knowledge questions for the Blog, please email b.tiller@hamptonschool.org.uk.
Have a great half term holiday!
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