Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
The Third Year Blog has spent most of the week slowly melting as the heat has ramped up. Britain (Hampton!) in the sun is a wonderful place, but the British are not necessarily well equipped to cope with the heat that sun brings. Of course, the opportunity offered halfway through the week to not have to wear a tie and to not need to wear a blazer was a welcome relief, though it also has the downside of making an untucked shirt even more apparent than it otherwise is – swings and roundabouts.
The blog is filled with big news this week, with some fantastic sporting achievements in the swimming pool, on the cricket pitch and on the chess board. We also have reports from some enriching trips.
In some ways, though, the biggest news is actually an absence of news. The Hampton DucklingsTM have yet to appear….
Every year at about this time, a group of ducklings appear in the cloisters with their mother. Apparently, this has been happening for about the last twenty years. But this year, as yet, they have not appeared and it feels as if they should already be here. If you see a teacher walking past the cloisters and peering through the windows, the likelihood is that they will be looking to see whether they have arrived.
Of course, the lack of ducklings prompts debate about why they have not yet arrived…
Could it be that the unseasonably hot weather has somehow thrown off their timings?
Could it be that this year’s crop of ducklings did arrive, were not up to scratch and were ejected from the premises on the basis of not being sufficiently lively or unpretentious?
Could it be that LEH has created a duckling utopia and has lured the Hampton DucklingsTM to some dark spot in their grounds where they will use them as a marketing tool?
Could it be that this year’s crop of ducklings and their mother are simply the kind of aquatic bird that doesn’t respect tradition?
Could it be that the noise generated by the 3G at lunchtime somehow reached a critical point at which it is so loud, so cacophonous, so overwhelming, that the ducklings are unable, or unwilling to find their way to the cloisters?
These are the conspiracy theories flying around the classrooms. Unlikely theories perhaps, but until the ducklings arrive and the uncertainty is eliminated, the Third Year Blog is finding it increasingly difficult to rest. So, keep an eye out and hopefully by next week, the Hampton DucklingsTM will soon be happily waddling around under the Mulberry Tree like something out of a PG Wodehouse novel.
OK. While it feels impossible and even callous to drag ourselves away from this stark ducklingless reality, let us focus on the magnificent achievements of the Third Years.
Heads of Year Message
Exams
Third Year Exams will take place during the week commencing Monday 19 May (the week before half term). Departmental study guides and/or revision check lists can be found in the respective departmental areas on SharePoint. If any pupil is uncertain where to find revision materials, they should speak to the relevant subject teacher as a matter of priority next week.
All Third Year pupils will benefit from two Study Skills sessions during PSHE this term. The sessions will help them to plan their revision schedule, consider different revision techniques and review some top tips for maintaining their own wellbeing whilst revising.
Many parents have signed up to attend Third Year Study Skills Evening, and we look forward to welcoming many of you in person on Tuesday evening (arrivals from 6.15pm), but we will also share the resources from that event with all Third Year parents via SchoolPost later next week.
Homework
In order to facilitate time for revision, we have asked all First to Third Year subject teachers not to set any ‘new’ homework in the two weeks immediately prior to the exams (or during exams week itself). Teachers may set guided revision tasks as homework if they deem that to be helpful.
Whilst we are advising the boys to make the most of the time available to revise over the coming weeks (using their homework timetable as a basic framework for revision, whilst no new homework is set), we continue to support their engagement in a range of sporting and co-curricular activities. Although this can lead to some busy schedules, we believe that it is essential for the boys to maintain a balanced approach to school work, sport and other co-curricular activities, leisure and family time, combined with a healthy diet and regular sleep throughout this period.
Absences
If your son will be absent from School for any reason, please complete the absence reporting form, which can be found on My School Portal on every morning of your son’s absence. For absences other than illness e.g. if a pupil has a dental or medical appointment during School hours, notice of this should be given in advance. For planned absences, please contact Heads of Year requesting the absence with as much notice as possible.
Boys – keep up the good work over this weekend and into next week. This is the time to make your preparations for exams count. Stick to your revision schedules. Continue to be thoughtful and kind to the people around you. As always, let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you are having any difficulties.
We hope that everyone has a lovely bank holiday weekend.
Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore
Cricket Update
Last Saturday, Hampton’s U14A cricket team took on Tiffin Boys at Tiffin in a much-anticipated cricket match. The last two times these two teams played against each other, Hampton had beaten Tiffin comfortably and so were quite confident going into the game, however, they knew that a strong Tiffin side, with all their players performing well, can prove to be dangerous. Hampton were also full of confidence because of beating Latymer Upper High in the Middlesex Cup just two days before. However, those last games against Tiffin were home fixtures for Hampton and they hadn’t played at Tiffin before. While the other players were carrying on with the warm-up, the Hampton captain Manav V stepped up for the toss. Tiffin won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked like a batting-friendly pitch. After the first over, we knew that the pitch was going to offer a lot of bounce for the whole 30 overs as the ball was carrying to Hampton’s keeper Rajvir S at chest-height. Though some tight opening overs were bowled from Seb W and Louis S, Tiffin got off to an excellent start being 75 for no wicket after the first 10 overs.
Hampton then climbed back into the game after picking up a wicket in the thirteenth over. However, constant long partnerships for Tiffin meant that the score kept ticking with not many wickets falling, which was exactly what was required in a slightly longer format and so after 20 overs, Tiffin were 140 for 2. Their captain had played a terrific knock up to that point and eventually got out in the 24th over during a brilliant spell from Monty R. Tiffin’s clever use of the shorter boundary and some powerful hitting then got them up to 231 after the 30 overs and Hampton knew that it was going to be a difficult run chase. However, their batting had been a large strength for them over the few years and so if everyone chipped in, they were in it.
Unfortunately for Hampton this is not what happened, as Tiffin’s opening bowlers hit the perfect lines and lengths to dismiss Hampton’s top 5. They all fell in quick succession and, after 10 overs, Hampton were 65 for 3. They knew that from this position, it was going to be a steep hill to climb, however, Hampton’s in-form batsman Seb W was at the crease for number 6. Seb had been known for his powerful hitting clearing the boundary at ease, however at this position, Hampton needed a long partnership to get even close to the target and this was exactly what happened. Seb and Fred O batted brilliantly in what looked like a match-winning 130-run partnership. Seb smashed the Tiffin seamers around all parts of the ground and looked in great touch while Fred played a brilliant supporting knock—understanding his partner was hitting cleanly and so sensibly decided to just stay in.
All the pressure built by Tiffin was slipping as the runs kept coming for Hampton. Seb kept going and while he was at the crease, Hampton felt they were in the game. However, after the persistence of bowling good lengths, Seb eventually got out for an unbelievable 106 – it truly was one of the greatest innings you would ever see at this age. However, the game was not home yet as Hampton still needed a further 55 off 8 overs with 5 wickets in hand. Tiffin then knew that with a few more wickets, they could be at Hampton’s lower order and finish off the game. For Hampton, they had a well-set batter at the crease in the form of Fred O and knew if he stayed to the end, it was game on. Just then, brilliant overs from the Tiffin seamers allowed them to keep taking wickets and the stump-to-stump lines worked excellently for them. Hampton’s lower-order collapse created nerves for everyone around the ground and we knew it was going to be a nail-biting finish. 35 more runs were still needed off 4 overs and with Fred O still in – who played a terrific knock up to that point – Hampton carried on believing. Unfortunately for Hampton, the Tiffin seamers were just too good and one of their bowlers bowled a match-winning spell for them – taking 6 wickets and Hampton had been bowled out for 190 – losing the game by 32 runs.
Overall, it was a brilliant game of cricket and looking back, there were lots of positives to take from the game but also things to be worked on. It is just the start of the cricket season, however, and I am sure that Hampton’s U14A team will learn from this fixture and move forward.
Cricketers stepping up
Particular mention this week should also go to Arha D and Stanley G who both played two matches on Saturday for the School, playing for their U14 side (Stanley G batting through at the end in his School debut to deliver a match winning performance) before then agreeing to play for the U15C team – an excellent Hamptonian attitude from them both. Well done!
World School Games
During Easter, I travelled to Serbia with the swim team representing England at the U15 World School Games. On our first weekend in Zlatibor, we woke up to snow, so the team decided to have a snowball fight. It turned out to be the perfect ‘icebreaker’ for a group who had only met a few days before. But I wasn’t just in Serbia for impromptu snowball fights. Over four days, I competed in four events: 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, and my favourite, the 200m individual medley. Each race brought a new personal best, and I came close to the 200 IM final. I made reserve finalist – just a spot away from swimming in the final.
Off-deck was just as amazing. The opening and closing ceremonies felt like a mini-Olympics: flags waving, fireworks and fantastic light shows in the town square. Marching out behind Team England gave me a huge sense of pride. There was also a cultural day where countries showcased local delicacies, and everyone got up on stage to perform to their country’s music. We also got the chance to trade souvenirs. I have taken home swimming hats from USA, Mexico and Brazil, each one a reminder of a new friendships made.
Ten days, four personal bests, and countless memories later, I’m proud I had the chance to represent England on the international stage. This experience has shown me I’m ready for whatever comes next – both in and out of the pool.
By Nathaniel O (3G)
Battlefields Trip
During the Easter break, we had the opportunity to travel to Belgium and France on the History Battlefields Trip to visit several significant First World War battlefields and cemeteries. Our trip began with a visit to Vimy Ridge Memorial Park, in Northern France, where we explored reconstructed trenches that gave a sense of the cramped, dangerous conditions soldiers had to endure on the front line. The second day, we began at Newfoundland Park, which was one of the few places where the trench systems are still clearly visible in the landscape. We then went to the Thiepval Memorial, which honoured over 72,000 missing soldiers from the Battle of the Somme.
Later, we visited the Lochnagar Crater, the result of a huge mine detonated under the German lines at the start of the Battle of the Somme. Standing at the edge of the crater showed how much the landscape was affected by the conflicts. In the afternoon, we explored the Museum of the Great War. It began with a short film that explained and linked the events of the war, and the museum itself featured a wide range of artefacts and interactive parts.
Our final day began with a visit to New Dochy Farm Cemetery, where we saw the grave of a soldier who had once scored in the FA Cup Final, showing how people of different backgrounds were affected by the war – even footballers. Afterwards, we walked the route charting the Battle of Broodseinde, starting at Zonnebeke and ending at Tyne Cot Cemetery. We passed through many fields that had once been devastated by artillery. At Tyne Cot, we laid a wreath in memory of Old Hamptonian AJ Winterbourne, who died in the war, as we honoured the memory of someone who lived a life similar to ours – going to the same school of a similar age.
Our final stop was Langemark Cemetery, a German military cemetery, reminding us that suffering and loss were experienced on all sides. We returned to Hampton that evening, and one of the most meaningful parts of the trip in my opinion was encountering the graves of multiple Hamptonians who had lost their lives in the war, leaving us with a strong sense of respect for those who served. The experience has helped us understand the scale of the First World War, and the huge amount of lives and families affected by the conflict.
By Devam K (3E)
ISSP Creative Writing Day
On Wednesday, we travelled to Tolworth Girls’ School for the ISSP Creative Writing Day. It was a great opportunity to learn about structuring the beginning of a speculative fiction novel. We did some first and third person writing exercises and learnt how to include descriptive techniques in our writing, as well as how to effectively make an elevator pitch about our novel.
We made a short plan on how to start a book by either the first chapter or an epilogue followed by the first chapter. We met pupils from numerous different partner schools and Ethan K won an award for his excellent start to a dystopian novel. We had a lovely time and really enjoyed the experience!
By Hari L (3A)
Chess success
The blog has also discovered that there has been an outstanding chess performance from a Third Year Hamptonian.
Jai K (3G) took part in the Open section of the Bristol Chess Congress, which took place from April 28 to 30, competing against players of all ages. He performed brilliantly, finishing in second place and also winning the Best Junior Prize – a truly exceptional performance! Well done, Jai!
Marvellous Music
The start of a new term is the perfect time to get involved in one of the many musical ensembles that Hampton has to offer. All non-auditioned ensembles will be learning some new music this term, and we would love to have you involved! Take a look at some suggestions below:
- An orchestral instrumentalist (basically anything except piano, guitar, bass, piano & drums) up to Grade 5 – Concert Orchestra with Mr Ferrier (Wednesday 1.15pm – Music Hall) or Sinfonia with Miss van Ments and Miss Estall (Thursday 12.35pm – Music Hall)
- A junior singer – ROAR! with Miss Mattinson (Tuesday 1.15pm – Music Hall)
- A choral singer – School Choir with Mr Daly (Monday P3 – Music Hall)
- A rock musician – consider auditioning for the Rock Concert in June – auditions happening soon so keep an eye out for more information!
- A junior piano player – sign up for the Junior Keyboard Concert – again, keep an eye out for more information.
- A jazz musician – Junior Jazz with Mr Ferrier (Wednesday 12.35pm – Music Hall) or Swing Band with Mr Ferrier (Grade 4+, Wednesday 4.00-5.00pm – Music Hall)
Speak to anyone in the Music Department if you are interested in getting involved but unsure what is best for you!
Bake Sale
It’s Form Charity Bake Sale time! Don’t forget to come to the Cloisters at break on Tuesday 6 May to sample some tasty treats baked by Second Year Hamptonians. The sale is a fantastic initiative to raise funds for our 2024-25 Form Charity partners: Shooting Star Hospice, Alzheimer’s Society, and UNICEF.
Two truths and a lie
After a healthy period without the heavy weight of lie distribution hanging around the neck of the Third Year Blog, two truths and a lie is back with Mr Hooper (U14A Football and Cricket coach) and his dirty untruths.
These are his claims.
- Mr Hooper (Senor Tonelero?) has a Spanish A Level
- Mr Hooper is a Leeds United supporter
- Mr Hooper’s father won the Junior Wimbledon Tennis doubles championship
Which is the lie?
connection CORNER
Connection Corner is back for the summer term! A tricky conundrum to have a go at over the weekend, see if you can spot the connection:
