Welcome to the Third Year BLog!

Another busy Hampton week for the Third Years was highlighted this week by ‘No Limits Lessons Day’. Of course, this is a slight misnomer as there are some limits. In truth a more accurate name would be ‘Comparatively Few Limits Lessons Day’, but this doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. So, No Limits Lessons Day it is. Rumours that Mr Knibbs has asked Eurodance ‘legends’ 2 Unlimited to produce a revised version of the School song are (sadly) unfounded.

No Limits Lessons Day involves teachers being encouraged to try to find different ways to bring their subjects (and pupils) to life. From a teaching perspective it can sometimes feel like a day that pushes you into a less comfortable place and you don’t necessarily look forward to it, but when the reality of the day is here and you are walking around the School seeing what’s going on, hearing the laughter from the classrooms and feeling the energy around the place, it all feels incredibly worthwhile.

Of course, there are the stories of teachers who choose to banish ‘limits’ by setting assessments which you are permitted to complete in coloured pen, or the danger of finding yourself being asked to participate in eight different debates during lessons throughout the day, but the vast majority of stories you hear make you marvel at the creativity of the staff here and what they are able to come up with, from poetry escape rooms to drawing biologically accurate brains on to the white swimming caps.It is a wonderful day to walk the corridors and get a real sense of the sheer vibrancy that a whole School of Hamptonians can generate – it is enough to put a spring in the step of even the most battle-hardened teaching veteran. What a day!

And what of the Third Year this week? We have couple of reports on how the football teams got on in their various cup matches and we have a report on a Badminton trip to the intimidating cauldron that is Whitgift School’s sports hall. We also have Mr Moore feeding us dreadful lies, the truth about Mrs Pickford Scienti and our regular Connection Corner. Let’s dive in!

Heads of Year message

Third Year Assembly

We spoke to all Third Year pupils together at the start of this week to emphasise a few important points. Firstly, they are always welcome to speak to us, their Form Tutors and/or their Sixth Form Mentors on any subject, but particularly if they have a question or a problem relating to School life that they need help with. In particular, they can find us in the Third Year office during morning break time on any Thursday when we operate an “open door” session. We will also be available on Friday morning break times to sign off Academic Merits and Lion Merits. Finally, we set the boys some aims for the year ahead. We hope these will act as guiding principles for their time in the Third Year:

  • Always aim for personal best in everything you do at School – academic endeavour; co-curricular engagement; interactions with teachers and peers.
  • Be kind to everyone in the School community.
  • Get involved in as many aspects of School life as you can.
  • Speak up if you need assistance, if you need to be an upstander, or if you get things wrong.

Given the aim to “get involved”, we hope that everyone will continue to make the most of the many and varied co-curricular opportunities on offer at School. All Third Year pupils should resolve to try out at least one new club (beyond sports practices) this half term.

The co-curricular timetable is available to view here.

No Limits Lessons Day

No Limits Lessons Day has been enjoyed across the Third Year today. This has encouraged pupils to engage with their subjects in new and exciting ways. Embracing the spirit of trying something new, teachers were challenged to ‘do something different’ and came up with a range of innovative ways for Hamptonians to interact with their subjects.

We were thrilled to see how wholeheartedly Third Year pupils embraced the opportunities presented on No Limits Lessons Day to experience new things and learn in a different way. Such lesson activities rely on a lot of trust and goodwill between teachers and pupils, so we were delighted that Third Year pupils upheld the best qualities of being a Hamptonian in making the most of the day – aiming for personal best while supporting those around you with kindness!

October Grade Cards

Parents will be able to access their son’s grade card from the end of the school day on Friday 18 October via the online Parent Portal. The link to this will also be sent to parents via SchoolPost that evening. Boys should not worry unduly about their grade cards. Form Tutors will pick up on any academic concerns after the half term holiday, with the aim of offering support if required.

Boys – Please let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you have any difficulties. We hope that you have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes

Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore

Football Update

After a day of anticipation, it was finally time for our county cup game against Harrodian School. After a quick warm up, we were on the pitch and raring to go. A tense five minutes followed as a big chance from Dean B went begging, an unmarked volley from a corner went high over the bar. Then, disaster struck. Harrodian played the ball out wide and as their winger attempted to put a cross in, he sliced the ball and we all watched in horror as we saw the ball loop over our defence and above Louis S, landing in our goal! We were determined not to be downhearted, however, and kept battling hard.

Despite this, Harrodian were very well drilled and did not allow us through their back line and into their box. We struggled to put our chances away with a shot from Jensen G sailing over the bar and a difficult volley by Isaac D Q pushed around the goalpost by the keeper, thus concluding the half. After an inspiring team talk by Mr Hooper and Mr Hurst, and a few changes, we were all set for the second half again. After five minutes of dominance, we finally made the breakthrough as the keeper pushed a shot onto the post, only for Jamie S to come running in, smashing the ball home! 1-1.

With momentum fully on our side, we continued to make great chances and after a brilliant ball over the top by Jack T, Jamie S found his name on the score sheet again, making it 2-1. As we attempted to see the game out, Jack T made a beautiful run into the middle, dribbling past four players and burying the ball into the bottom corner, sealing the victory for Hampton. But all was not over yet and we were still hungry for more goals. We almost got one as Ollie S leapt into the air with a powerful header and it would have been 4-1 if not for a stunning save by the Harrodian keeper, tipping the ball onto the post and out. Finally the full time whistle went and we sealed a great win, seeing us through to the second round of the county cup. Overall, a brilliant team performance, from the defence who were solid as always, to attack whose finishing proved clinical and we are all ready to go again on Saturday against Bradfield College.

By Isaac D Q (3B)

ESFA Cup

As the first ESFA game of the year kicked off for the U14B team against Rutlish School, we were excited yet cautious for what was to come as we had never played this side before.

We were off to a great start in the first half – controlling most of possession and making chances – yet we had not put the ball in the back of the net, although we had got extremely close. During the half time break, we made some tactical changes and just after the restart, we finally scored: a goal which was sparked by a threaded ball through the defence then a cutback for a simple finish.

Once we got the first goal, we began to gain confidence and scored two more in quick succession. Despite an end-to-end final period, the score remained 3-0; a great win to send the U14B team to the second round!

By George S (3D)

Badminton

David W (3G) and Zihan C (3G) both offer their reflections on a tight Badminton fixture against Whitgift School.

Last week, on Wednesday we had a badminton fixture against Whitgift school. This was our first away game of Third year. I was excited and thrilled to get onto the court and have a friendly and competitive game with our opponents. We knew it was going to be a close and challenging game. It turned out well for me at first, as I beat my opponent narrowly with a score of 15-14 in the first game, but he wasn’t going to give up and I soon lost the second game, 15-13. I was all nervous and anxious about losing, but I pushed pass my fear and ended the match with the winning final game, taking it by a score of 15-14.

I was amazed about how tight the scores were, and I felt really happy as a team that we had won all our matches except for one double game, where I was paired up with Zihan C. They were admirable opponents and played really well. We took the win and celebrated together.

By David W (3G)

We left Hampton School at approximately 2:40 PM and arrived promptly for the match at Whitgift School. Upon arrival, we were struck by the massive school site as our team walked down the path to the sports hall. After greeting the opposition, we prepared to start our match. We began with singles followed by doubles, which added to the excitement, and all matches were best of three. I started my singles match with intense rallies, showcasing a variety of shots. I won the first game with a score of 15:11, and with newfound confidence, I took an early lead of 5:0 using effective drop shots. As the game progressed, my opponent began to catch up, but I managed to close it out at 15:7. What a game!

Having won our singles matches, it was time for doubles. I partnered with David W, and we easily won the first doubles match. However, in the second match, we missed a few shots that ultimately cost us the game. The opponents, now full of confidence, powered through the final game, leading us 14:12. We needed two more points to have a chance, but I ultimately failed to deliver a crucial smash, resulting in our loss in the doubles match. While it was disappointing, I was relieved that Dylan and Manav had won their matches, allowing us to advance to the next round!

By Zihan C (3G)

Talk!

Come along to the very first Talk! of the academic year and hear from Lord Chris Patten, whose extraordinary career has included serving as the last Governor of Hong Kong; Chairman of the Conservative Party; Chairman of the BBC Trust; and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. There’s no need to book a ticket, just come along to the Hammond Theatre next Thursday 10 October at 1pm.

Find out more here.

Two truths and a lie

Last week, Mrs Pickford Scienti was our dishonest teacher. This was her web of deceit:

  • Mrs Pickford Scienti LOVES a marmalade sandwich
  • Mrs Pickford Scienti has five dresses with books on them
  • Mrs Pickford Scienti is a keen player of both Forza Horizon 5 and Hogwarts Legacy

So, which was the lie? Well, if Mrs Pickford Scienti has previously taught you, while you may not have been able to individually identify them, the idea that she has five dresses with books on would have seemed plausible, at the very least. What may not have been so obvious was her love for computer games – she is indeed eagerly anticipating the future arrival of Forza Horizon 6. What this means is that she doesn’t love a marmalade sandwich. In fact she detests them. You could argue that she is the English department’s anti-Paddington.

This week we have a Third Year celebrity: Mr Moore, one of our esteemed Heads of Year. This is all very well but it is, of course, gravely concerning that even such a man as this is willing to debase himself by lying for the benefit of something a tawdry as a the Third Year Blog. But, this is the society we find ourselves living in. So, as we shake our heads sadly at what the world is coming to, let us turn to his filthy untruth hiding in amongst his virtuous veracities:

  • Mr Moore went to Bath University
  • Mr Moore is a fan of ABBA
  • Mr Moore supports Fulham Football Club

Which is the lie?

CONNECTION CORNER

A big shout out to all the Third Year Hamptonians who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner. Lots of you guessed letters of the alphabet but the correct connection was Blood Types! Merits go to Manilo C, Willoughby E, James G, Gordon L, Joe B, Luke F and Ishaan M.

Another tricky one this week, have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection:

In case you’re still perplexed, here are last week’s answers:

What are the English letters that are equivalent to the Greek letters, alpha and beta? A and B

What type of insect can be a honey or a bumble? Bee

What qualification preceded GCSEs? O Levels and CSEs

What is the name of Italy’s premier football league? Serie A

Connection: Blood types (AB, B, O, A)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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