Welcome to the First Year Blog!
It has been a week of creativity, curiosity, and celebration in the First Year. A huge well done to all pupils who took part in Project Explore this year! The range of entries was truly impressive and I know that all of the judges were amazed at how talented and well-researched they all were. Congratulations to all entries, finalists, and of course to the top project. A special mention must go to Ronak B (1F), whose visit to the Royal Museums of Greenwich last week clearly paid off, producing a winning project that really made waves.
With the days getting longer, even if the temperature has not quite got the message yet, we now look ahead to next week’s First Year assessments. Do make sure you are revising actively and efficiently, giving your best effort every day. Just as importantly, remember to rest, recharge and look after yourselves as you go.
PROJECT EXPLORE EXCELLENCE
This Thursday, I was invited to a finalist luncheon for my Project Explore – a competition where you had to make a creative piece – such as music, art, or a video – inspired by a local or historic site. I made a documentary on Valletta, the capital city of Malta, which is surprisingly rich with history, ‘from neolithic farmers building megalithic temples to the Phoenicians colonising Malta’, as quoted by me in my video.
When I arrived in the John Perry room, a mysterious place (to me) where I had never been, there was a massive table with lots of seats. There were about twenty finalists. Mr Hill and Mr Fuldner (the joint heads of First Year) warmly congratulated us. Them, Dr Hendry, Mr Harrison (my Geography teacher), and my Mr Jimenez (Physics teacher), walked around the table and asked us questions about our projects.
In a corner there was a buffet: chicken tacos and fried chicken, shrimps, orange and apple juice, and cakes awaited us. While we ate, I talked to the other finalists and then walked around the room to discover their projects. Near the end, the teachers said they would leave us for a few minutes to discuss the ‘winners’, a word which surprised us, as we had thought there would only be one.
We took a finalist group photo – and then the teachers came back. They said that there would be five commendable projects and one winner… I was so happy when I found out I had a commendable project. Well done to Ronak, with an amazing boat, for being the winner. Anyone who had a commendable or a winning project got to take an extra photo with their certificates.
The finalist lunch was so fun, and everyone’s projects were amazing. My prize was having a fun time, and congratulation to all the finalists.
By Aahil U (1G)
BRILLIANT BOOK BONANZA
On Monday I visited the library and found a couple of books which I have read. Then I realised it would be nice if I could do a book review about four of my favourite books! The Hampton Library Is an amazing area of fantastic books and where imaginations turn into reality. Credits to Mr Hemsley and Miss Iredale.
‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig (12+). This speculative fiction novel shows the main character journey through her life and see what could have been. The character explores to see her sins and good deeds and when she comes back to the daylight, she realises that no life is perfect. Everyone is different and that is what makes life fun.
‘Gone’ by Michael Grant (12+). Wow what a book. In here, a school fights to survive in a 20-mile circumference dome. With diminishing food sources and constant fights between bullies and schoolchildren a new threat emerges, the ultimate Gaiaphage.
‘Astrophysics for People in a Hurry’ by Neil deGrasse Tyson (10+). Neil focuses his brilliant NASA expertise into a book. He explores dark matter and dark energy and quantum mechanics. He talks about what really is up in space and paradoxes galore. Recommended for anyone who loves science!
‘Impossible creatures’ by Katherine Rundell (12+). Magical creatures exist! Follow Chris, wo met a flying girl, Mal who must find the legendary immortal who can restore the failing life-force of magical creatures. But the immortal is already here…
Well. That concludes this wonderful book collection. Readers I guarantee you will enjoy these books. That is for sure!
By Ronak B (1F)
NATURE NATIONAL TREASURE
Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David Attenborough! On 8 May 2026, the world’s most loved naturalist reached a milestone as amazing as the wildlife he has spent a century protecting. From the Royal Albert Hall to the Southern Ocean, the global celebration for his 100th birthday has been truly historic.
Born in 1926 – the same year as Queen Elizabeth II – David Attenborough grew up in Leicester. As a boy, he collected fossils and sold newts to the local university for three pence each. After serving in the Royal Navy, he joined the BBC in 1952, even though he had only ever seen one TV show!
He changed broadcasting forever. While running BBC Two in the 1960s, he introduced colour television to Europe and gave the green light to famous shows like Monty Python.
For 70 years, he has guided us through the wonders of Earth. His “Life” series started with Life on Earth in 1979. It changed nature documentaries by moving the presenter out of the studio and into the wild.
Beyond TV, Sir David is a powerful voice for the planet. He now speaks out about climate change and plastic pollution, urging world leaders to take action.
His name is everywhere – more than 50 species and even a group of stars are named after him. This includes a new wasp, Attenboroughnculus tau, named for his 100th birthday. At 100, his message is clear: we can still fix the world, but we must act now.
By Edward G (1J)
SEASONAL SWING AND BRIGHTER DAYS
The sudden transition from spring to summer makes Hampton life feel even brighter, busier and more enjoyable.
The sun rises much earlier in the morning and sometimes the sunlight wakes me up before my alarm. On the way to school, it is usually much milder than winter. Later in the evening, there is time for me to relax before bed.
School life also feels different when the weather improves. We spend more time outside enjoying the sunshine instead of staying indoors. Everyone seems to be in a better mood, and PE lessons are more fun when we can enjoy sport on the fields and get some sunshine.
Meanwhile, although we still have end of year exams, at the same time everyone is also looking forward to the half term break, which will be a well-deserved rest. For me, this part of the year always brings a sense of excitement because the peak of summer is getting closer, the weather is improving, and the summer holiday is already on the horizon.
By Hiu Yeung K (1P)
Robotic Excitement!
You may remember from the Blog a few weeks ago that Mingyuan D (1P) had been programming his very own robot. Take a look at the results below:
Well done Mingyuan!
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 Ahrin K (1W) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week.
Ahrin always makes the right decisions and encourages others to be kind and respectful in their interactions. Well done Ahrin!
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
Last week’s challenge:
Who is the this old Hamptonian (OH)? The answer is of course Sir Brian May OH (1965)! A big shout out to the First Years who correctly found the answer to last week’s Hampton Hunt – John L, Seung-Hoo K, Al M, Dominic B, Thomas N, Jack B, Julian H, Jack M, Lenny M, Hiu Yeung K, Yuvi U, Armaan A, Alex B, Orlando G, Zach B, Kevin W, Benny B, Jack D, Cyrus T, George U, Ruben V, Aiden G, Daniyal S, Ted D, Mahad H, Thomas D, Ronak B, Avyan A, Guy H, Ethan V, Alex W, Andreas C, Shrey S, Thomas F, Sebastian F, Owen J, Koye O and Miguel B.
This week’s challenge:
who is this history hero?
Have a great weekend!
Back to All Blogs
