Welcome to the First Year Blog!
Our trip to Avon Tyrrell in the New Forest has been the highlight of this week. We were blessed with non-stop sunshine, a beautiful moon for our night walk and a great selection of outward-bound activities – please do look at the photographs. The mentors kept everyone motivated and it was uplifting to see you boys getting to know each other and working as a team. There’s nothing like bonding over a fried breakfast!
In other news, our bloggers have reports on the co-curricular clubs and Chemistry was picked as our Lesson of the Week. This Saturday we have our Open Morning and all of First Year will be guiding prospective pupils around the School, answering dozens of questions.
Do enter the Hampton Hunt to win Academic Merits and please send any articles to me (v.whitwam@hamptonschool.org.uk) and I will award you a Lion Merit for your contribution to the life of the School.
Have a good weekend!
Avon Tyrrell
Most say that Avon Tyrrell is a Hamptonian’s dream, I would agree. Here is the story that will give you a real sense of Avon Tyrrell. The day was bright, there was a buzz of excited chatter, and the scintillating sun shone upon all of us. The journey was pleasant. There was euphoria in the air. There were two huge coaches, eager to depart. We were whizzing off to Avon Tyrrell, an adventure camp nestled between the villages of Burley and Bransgore. When we were journeying closer and closer, we were engulfed in green. Some of us saw wild horses!
When we arrived at the entrance of the Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre, we lugged our bags up the stairs of the big house, the old residence of the deceased couple of Lord and Lady Manners. The house was cavernous, with a splendid drawing room. The lunch in the house was scrumptious and to wrap it all up, with dinner came chocolate chip cookies !! YUM! YUM!
But food wasn’t the top of the list, the activities were daring and meant for resilient adventurers. There were high-ropes, archery, raft building, low-ropes, orienteering, problem solving, and much more. There were points to collect too, which made it a healthy competition. My personal favourites were the high ropes and the raft building. Although our raft sank in the lake, it was still a bundle of fun. Our clothes were waterlogged but we had a dry set at the ready.
We also did the Egg Drop Challenge. That didn’t crack us up (sorry!), but it sure was dramatic. The cherry on the cake in my opinion was the night walk. The black sky contrasted with the luminous lustre of the super moon. We stepped outside without torches and saw a site where four sand lizards (a rare species of lizard, mind you) were sleeping, hidden. We discovered a well, where one of the adventurers told us lay a dismantled Volkswagen Beetlel. We were all eager to see the inside of the well and the car, but it was blocked up by a stubborn rock. We all gathered some needles from pine trees and made ourselves some tea which tasted quite different.
The journey home was full of mixed emotions. We wanted to go home, yet we didn’t want to go. Avon Tyrrell had been so exciting, with all the teachers and mentors, with all the playing and activities that were on offer. I would love to go back. Just to relive the moment and being with my new friends. It was amazing!
By Reyansh K (1lL)
Take a look at some of the photos from the week:
Lesson of the week: Chemistry
Alex C (1H) tells us all about what you get up to in your Chemistry lessons here at Hampton:
In my opinion, Chemistry was the most enjoyable class of the week. We were experimenting with Bunsen burners, one of the most satisfying pieces of apparatus in the lab. It was even more enjoyable because our teacher, Mr Ellison, is an exceptionally funny teacher. I had never had any experience of using a Bunsen burner, so this was exciting. Chemistry had always been one of my favourite subjects; however, in primary school, we never had such an opportunity to do these types of more exciting experiments.
We did three experiments. The first challenge we faced was heating the burner. It was extremely hard to light, especially with the many pieces of expensive equipment we did not want to break around us. Our first experiment was to turn the air hole (to allow oxygen in) to create a roaring flame. The second experiment was to turn the air hole back closed and we put a porcelain lid over it. Our last experiment was to put a metal wire above the roaring flame’s cone which is a blue shape located inside the flame.
Clubs Galore
With so many clubs taking place at lunchtime, it’s difficult to know what to choose! Benjamin A (1J) tells us about Chess Club and Lego Architecture:
So far, this has been a great second week with new adventures and with everyone getting to know the School and their classmates so far. The best way to make friends and chat with new people is at the clubs. Chess Club has been the highlight of my week. Although it is a serious, strategic game, it involves sportsmanship and support. It is very popular here and almost all the tables were occupied! Luckily, my friends found a table and we played a short tournament. It was a close match between me and Agastya J (1J) and with Harry T (1J), I eventually succeeded in a tough match and won the game. I have also become interested in other clubs such as Lego Architecture Club, Warhammer Club and I’m thinking of doing Climbing Club. Warhammer Club has interested me the most because I, myself, am a fan; I have the introductory set, and I’d like to improve in school as well.
Freddie D (1H) made his way to the Sports Hall and tried out Table Tennis Club:
Some might think Friday the 13th is unlucky but I felt very lucky indeed to be at Table Tennis Club. When I walked in, I immediately saw plenty of table tennis tables. Luckily there where barriers so there is no chance of accidentally hitting someone. I decided to use the school table tennis bats, and they did not disappoint. The rubber on the bat was the perfect amount to achieve back spin and top spin. I found a free table and I invited some friends to play. We played doubles, singles and even back hand only! I am very grateful for the opportunity and will be back next Friday.
From the Sports Hall to the School hives, Ashveer C (1H) tells us more about Beekeeping Club:
My favourite club this week was Beekeeping Club; it was very interesting to learn about the queen bee and the workers in the hive. We discovered the different parts of the hive and got to hold up some compartments of the beehive. The teacher gave us an empty part of the hive with no honeycomb in the compartment. Then he gave us one with real, fresh honeycomb that weighs a surprising amount. The honey made it weigh much more than a normal empty compartment. Next week we will be going to the hives wearing beekeeping suits. Unfortunately, only ten can go per lesson due to the number of suits. Everybody who wants to go will get the opportunity to go to go to the hives. If you think you will enjoy it, then come along to S37 on a Friday. I hope we will see you there.
Cricket Update
Great to hear so many of you still making the most of the sunshine and taking to the cricket squares, Ojas P (1P) tells us about a recent triumph:
The weekend started on a high note as we, the Slough U11 Tigers, lifted the shield of victory after winning the Berkshire U11 T20 Blast Cup match. We played against Goring-on-Thames CC in sunny Sulhamstead and secured a comfortable win. Our team performed wonderfully, showcasing strong batting, bowling, and fielding, while the opposition also displayed great cricket. It was a proud moment for us to lift the shield for Slough CC in our age group.
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 Jesse G (1W) who is this week’s Tutee of the Week.
Jesse has been supportive and helpful to his peers (and staff) during Avon Tyrrell and embraced all the challenges the residential presented. It was great to hear him cheer on his fellow tutees and give them words of encouragement too.
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! Points for the interform competition will be awarded to the Form with the most correct entries over the course of the term! 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:
How many old boys on the Memorial Plaque with the surname Wood? The answer was three. Well done to everyone who had a go at the first Hampton Hunt: Armaan R, Nico A-G, Ojas P, Alexander C, Jia W X, Reyansh K and Yuchen L.
This week’s challenge is a special one: your answer is not at Hampton but somewhere in the New Forest!
How many windows does the Avon Tyrrell house have?
HINT: you didn’t need to count them, you just needed to listen very carefully!
Enter your answer here:
