Welcome to the First Year Blog!
If you thought Hampton was all about books and balls, think again. This week has been a word-perfect mix of creativity and collaboration! From AI avatars that almost stole the spotlight (don’t worry, they’re pixel-perfect but not taking over just yet!) to Wordle battles that had everyone spelling success, and even Football teams that remain undefeated. It’s been a whirlwind of ideas and action this week.
Plenty of boys stepped up to help at 11+ admissions events, proving that Hampton spirit isn’t just about scoring goals and achieving well, it’s about lending a hand too. Thank you to all of those involved in organising and helping out! Add in the buzz of co-curricular clubs and you’ve got a recipe for a term that’s as packed as a full English breakfast at 7.30am on a weekend!
What makes all this even better? Pupil voice. We love hearing your ideas at School Council, SNRG meetings, suggestion boxes, and everyday conversations – and we act on them! The brilliant Interform Wordle came straight from your suggestions, so keep those creative sparks flying. Who knows? Your next idea could be the next big Hampton tradition.
Now, as we head into the final two weeks of term, let’s remember: teachers, boys, and all our amazing staff are working hard (and yes, feeling a little tired!). So, let’s be kind, caring, and grateful. Keep your uniform in top shape, say thank you, and maybe even write a Christmas card or two for someone who’s made your term enjoyable. A little festive cheer goes a long way!
INTERFORM CHESS
Calling all First Year chess enthusiasts! Just a reminder that First Year Chess Interform Competition is set for next Friday 5 December in S11. It will start at 12.40pm and spectators are welcome so long as they are silent!
Each Form needs to nominate a captain and two other players to compete. Going around the Form rooms, I’ve been so excited seeing the various chess tournaments within each form. The competition is already heating up!
Packed lunches will be provided for the finalists as it is likely to take up most of the lunch break.
Any questions, please see Mrs Whitwam.
WORDLE WARRIORS: LETTERS LEAD TO GLORY
It was an incredible turn out at our first ever First and Second Year joint interform competition, Interform Wordle, this week! The Drama Hall was absolutely bursting with spectators and players, and we hope the contestants enjoyed interacting with peers in other year groups. A huge thank you and well done to everyone involved, the staff team, and especially Miss Tiller and Mrs Whitwam for organising and running the event!
The results are as follows:
1st: P
2nd: L
3rd: G
4th: H, J, W
5th: F
6th: Staff team
7th: B
The idea for Interform Wordle came directly from recent Year Group School Council meetings a few weeks ago, so if any of you have any ideas for any other interform events that you can do with the other Year Groups, please let us know and we’ll see what we can do! Let’s hear from some of the contestants below:
As the stage was set for our second ever interform competition, interform Wordle, all the teams gathered around themselves. Everyone was ready and it didn’t take long until we had got underway. Form after form with two Second Years for our help, everyone kept on thinking and thinking. Bingo! One by one every team guessed their word: some in five, four and even three! When we were called, we knew we had to impress. As we powered through, we managed to guess the word in five tries, I breathed a sigh of relief. Although we thought we were last, much to the surprise there was a staff team consisting of four different teachers including my Latin teacher, Mr Barber! I understood, they wanted to join in some fun! With a lot of irony, the staff team failed to guess the word. The second round went, and it was much more of the same. Although my Form, 1W, didn’t win (overall we came fourth) it was still such a great experience to take part in what is only the start to wonderful interform competitions.
By Pesandu W (1W)
Last Tuesday, if you happened to be inside the Drama Hall during lunch, you would have been audience to a vocab-themed spar between all the Forms. I was excited to represent 1P there and teamed up with representatives from 2P to join this Interform event: Interform Wordle.
After a hasty lunch, all of us rushed to the Drama Hall. The stage was set for a friendly competition. We performed quite well on both puzzles, solving the first Wordle in three guesses and the second in four. The other teams excelled as well, however, so the final result was nail-bitingly close. In the end, though, I was lucky enough for our team to be crowned the champions this year and I look forward to participating in other interform events in future.
By Hiu Yeung K (1P)
TALK! INSIDE THE WORLD OF AI AVATARS
After having a delicious, Japanese-style lunch, me and my friend (Daniyal) set off for the Talk! Since the seats below were filled, we were graced to sit on the balcony – it was too good to be true! It seemed like a promise of a wonderful and magical talk. Filled with giddiness and excitedness, we glued our eyes to the stage…
Like an epic story, it began. Kyle Odefey filled us with information about how the world of AI keeps changing rapidly. He then showed us a video of “him” talking. He told us that the AI used a 2–5-minute video of him using a speech (made by him) to talk to us. Then at the end of the video, he used another type of newer AI so that all he had to do was take a picture of himself. I learned that every pixel in the clip was all the AI’s work.
He then went on to talk about bad actors and security. He told us how bad this would be to the world if it was in the wrong hands. I found out that AI could be devastating to the world. That was why Synthesia uses ethics like the 3Cs (Consent, Control and Collaboration). This would protect the user and the person the generated avatar was based on. In general, I think it was interesting, intriguing, and fascinating. I think it has opened a new perspective in the way I think about AI and the way it is evolving.
By Julian H (1H)
On Thursday, at lunch, Kyle Odefey gave a terrific Talk on AI Avatars. AI Avatars are digital representations of human beings (or characters) generated by artificial intelligence that can simulate human-like behaviours, emotions and interactions. Mr Odefey gave many examples like Will Smith eating pasta showing how AI has evolved from Chat GPT in 2022 to AI websites such as Sora AI now.
Synthesia (where Mr Odefey works) is worth $2.2 billion and the whole AI Avatar market in 2030 is set to be worth $270 billion. Synthesia has worked with Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Sadiq Khan and many others. I found the talk inspiring and I certainly thought it was worth it.
By Edward G (1J)
Every now and then in Hampton there is a chance to meet famous people and luckily yesterday in the Hamond theatre there was one. As we came in we saw Kyle Odefey who is in a UK-based company called Synthesia, who works in AI video technology and the use of AI-generated avatars. Surprisingly, Synthesia alone serves over 65,000 customers worldwide, and the company is predicted to be worth 270-billion dollars by 2030! Although the greatness of this platform which can perform lectures help learning and training, people can make fake videos to scam people. In the future, the massive company plans to design 3D videos, which could be of the avatars walking and doing whole body actions. From the Talk! I learned about scam people and be cautious of what you are doing on any website, and I learnt a lot about what AI avatars are.
By Yifan C (1L)
UNDEFEATED AND UNSTOPPABLE FOOTBALL
The U12C Football team played over the weekend against Glyn School. Hampton started the game brilliantly, playing beautiful 1-2s whenever a player received the ball. However, the opposition were an equally matched team full of many skilled ballers. Everything Hampton did, Glyn School did back, and the ball kept on going back and forth on the pitch. Until finally, after many attempts on goal, Mahir O (1H) headed the ball into the back of the net assisted by a wonderful cross from Lenny A (1B). After the first goal, more kept on coming. The Hampton U12C team striker, Will D (1F) scored a wonder goal and then after ten minutes he got himself a hat-trick. However, at the centre of everything was a centre midfielder called Henry L (1J). As the ball came to him, he’d dribble and release and when he wasn’t on the ball, he’d create options for players to pass to him. Henry L (1J) did this consistently until he found himself one-on-one with the keeper and smashed the ball into the goal with his left foot. Hampton looked very composed, playing with a 5-0 lead and then the half-time whistle blew. The players were exhausted after playing a 30-minute half which is why our coach, Mr Harrison decided to make substitutions. The coach substituted two midfielders, Rayan S (1F), who was instructed to play as a winger, and Karter E (1J), for another pair of midfielders, Julian M (1B) and the goal scorer Henry. However, Lenny also came off because the opposition had a man down so instead of nine a side it was eight a side.
The second half commenced, and it was a fast-paced match. The midfielders played many passes towards the wingers Rayan and Will. Five minutes had gone by and straight away Will grabbed himself a brace adding to his count of three goals. Rayan followed with a brace of himself; one assisted by Karter and the other by Will. Will and Rayan were having a cracking game as Rayan got a hat-trick and Will bagged six goals. Lenny also scored a goal. However, Glyn School weren’t going to give in, they kept on playing with offense and at last it looked like they were going to score. Their striker was on the run about to score but just then Karter came in with a tackle, and Glyn’s hopes were over. Maxi R (1G) and Jack D (1H) were playing brilliantly in defence, and it seemed the game was over. But there was still some more left in the tank for Hampton and Will scored another goal to make it seven. 13-0, it was a dominant performance and Hampton left with glory – still undefeated.
By Karter E (1J)
GOOD VIBES AND GREAT GUIDES FOR FUTURE HAMPTONIANS
Arriving to Hampton School at 7.30am in the morning, I was excited to help the 11+ candidates by taking them to their examination rooms and providing them with moral support as many were nervous and worried for the upcoming tests. I remember myself being in their position, all worked up and stressed. So, I helped them turn that nervousness into happiness, by telling them that there was nothing to worry about.
Because I did not have time to eat breakfast at home, all of the helpers were given a very delicious full English breakfast. Yummy! After eating, we waited outside the rooms. Every now and then, we had to take children from our rooms to the toilets and back, where I found that it was a great idea to make conversation with them. After helping out, I wish that all pupils sitting the exams performed to their top academic potential!
By Owen S-W (1L)
Last weekend I went to help with the 11+ admissions event. When we arrived at 7.30am, we were given sheets that told us which entrance we would be at and where we would be taking the children. After we had taken some boys to their classroom, some of us had to leave to sit outside a corridor and help with taking some of them to the toilets or handing out snacks.
During the break we took some of the boys to the toilet or watched the classroom while the teacher had to do something. While the teacher was away, they asked us some questions such as: “What is the lunch like?”, “What clubs do you have?”, “What languages and subjects do you have?”. We told them that the lunch was amazing, we have over 100 clubs so there is something for everyone and we do one of French, Spanish and German in the First Year and later in the School we take another language, and for lessons we told them there was Design Engineering, Art, Computing, Latin and we do the three Sciences separately and that all the lessons are extremely fun.
At 9.15am, breakfast was open, and people practically sprinted there! I was one of the last to go to breakfast and it was amazing; it was a full English! It included scrambled eggs, fried eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon and toast and butter. The food was excellent. After the exams finished at 11.10am we got to go home – i was a very tiring but fulfilling day.
By Ayaan S (1F)
CLUB-TASTIC FUN WITH NO LIMITS
Last week it was No Limits Week at Hampton and it was also no homework week! Our Form Tutor encouraged us to make the most of this opportunity and try as many clubs as possible. I was so excited to try new things, unfortunately I cannot say that I was any good at most of them but managed to attend five different clubs: Volleyball, Basketball, Chess, Drama and Golf.
Despite failing miserably at golf, I still had fun and I was thankful to not have sent anyone to the nurse’s office. I thought I could have walked in there and do a Happy Gilmore swing successfully, but the ball wasn’t going anywhere! On Tuesday, I had a better day and I thoroughly enjoyed Basketball which I hope to join for the rest of the term. It was a very fun week but I think the best part was having no homework. That was brilliant!
By Miguel B (1B)
Take a look at the video below and catch up on some of the best bits from No Limits Week:
UNITED WE STAND AT MUN
Last Friday, Lady Eleanor Holles School hosted a Model United Nations Conference for state and independent schools to learn how to debate as though we were members of the UN. I went into School, dressed in smart uniform, ready to begin debating. After three lengthy periods, me, Edin H (1G), and four Second Years went across to LEH after break.
We walked through the main entrance, greeted by a modern reception and elegant glass doors. First, we went to the lunch hall where we had lunch before being taken through a long, carpeted corridor to the assembly hall. We sat down with other schools in the grand assembly hall, the wooden stage in the background and crimson curtains draping down from the windows. After a speech from the headmistress of LEH and the secretariat of the event, we were paired up and given a country to debate for.
First, I was Russia with pupils from LEH and Tolworth Girls, but then a candidate had to leave so I moved to a different group and represented Canada. We had to make up clauses for the topic of ‘capital punishment’, the death penalty and whether it should be abolished. After a break with cookies and lemonade, we looked at a solution to the topic and decided if we wanted to put in any amendments (changes). Then, the amendments would be debated and then a vote would take place to decide whether the amendment would be included in the solution. Luckily, our amendment passed and nobody else’s did! When three amendments had been debated, we debated on the whole solution and whether it should pass, and it did!
This was a wonderful learning experience, and it was so interesting to think about the views of different countries around the world in the United Nations. Thank you to MUN Club and Mr John for this. If you like the idea of debating, come along to MUN Club in the Lecture Theatre on Tuesdays at lunchtime.
By Aiden G (1J)
MY SCHOOL DAY
Let’s hear from Avirat P (1H) who’s written a fantastic poem all about his school day:
With the rush to the bus
And the time ticking by
The school rush has begun.
As I have a big sigh
As the bus arrives at school
Our first dash of the day
As we pour out of the bus
To get to the school gates
The bell suddenly rings
The lessons have begun.
So, we sit for registration.
As I heavily sit down as happy as the sun
On we go to our first lesson
Chemistry it shall be.
As we quickly and promptly take our seats
The teacher is smiling at me.
After a hard long lesson of 80 minutes
The bell finally ring
The teacher says his final goodbyes.
As our next lesson luring us in
After a series of lessons
We finally get a well-deserved break
But more lessons are to come
Resting my brain which is a strawberry shake
So, after a few more lessons
Lunch finally came round
The hustle and bustle of the co-curricular clubs burst in
My energy suddenly drowns
After pushing through the final lessons of the day
The last bell finally rings
YIPPE, HOORAY!
The school day has ended, and I feel like I have wings
As I arrive back from an eternity of a bus journey
I immediately throw myself on the couch
Gosh! What a day it has been
I’m so tired from learning, and my brain is fried that I might slouch!
Talk!
Hot on the heels of this week’s Talk! all about the world of AI avatars, on Tuesday 2 December we welcome award-winning author and broadcaster, Helen Castor, who will give us an illuminating insight into the life of Elizabeth I. Find out more here and join is in the Hammond at 1pm next Tuesday.
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
On the Thursday 27 November, I went to a night of carols at the Mitre Hotel. I sang there for the Hampton Court Palace Chapel Royal. It was really fun singing festive tunes with some friends. We sang some carols such as “God Rest You Merry Gentlemen” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” My favourite song was “Somewhere in my Memory” from “Home Alone.” It was fun and the congregation loved it.
I felt happy to be singing there under the pretty the lights of the hotel. It was an extraordinary experience. As a pre-probationer, it was my first time singing in my red robes, and I felt very proud and happy. I am really excited to be promoted and sing more for the Chapel Royal. With more practice, I could be a really outstanding singer.
By Mingyuan D (1P)
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 Alex W (1B) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week!
Alex always throws himself into the wider life at Hampton and is a really positive presence in the form – well done Alex!
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: Where can you find this mosaic? The mosaic in the photo last week can be found in the Geography Courtyard!
A big shout out to the First Years who correctly found the answer to last week’s Hampton Hunt. Well done to Mikaeel K, Alex B, Armaan A, Arav B, Yifan C, Hiu Yeung K, Evan P, Miguel B, Cyrus T, Kevin W, Edin H, Al M, Ethan V and Mason C. Don’t forget to collect a merit from your Form Tutor next week!
This week’s challenge:
What colour is the staircase that this wonderful art piece is on?
Hint: It’s one of Mr Jimenez’s favourites!
