Twin Celebrations, Cup Crusade & Picture Perfect!

Welcome to the Third Year Blog!

Oh my goodness, the Third Year Blog is full to the BRIM this week.  

We have some football, elite photography, some more football, a remarkable website a pupil has created about satellites, and some more football.  

We also have a report on both Diwali and Bonfire Night. 

Bonfire Night, of course, was originally prompted by the Gunpowder plot of 1605, when a group of Catholic conspirators tried to blow up the Protestant King James I. Guy Fawkes is the famous conspirator, but that is merely because he got caught. It was actually Robert Catesby who led the plot. He was killed a few days later by those looking to bring him to justice. Having been buried, his body was later exhumed and his head was put on a spike outside the Houses of Parliament as a deterrent for anyone else thinking the treasonous thoughts that Catesby had had. Let’s just hope that reading this doesn’t give Mr Rigby and Mr Moore any ideas when ‘workshopping’ developments to the Third Year sanction system… 

On the very night the plot was discovered, Londoners lit bonfires celebrating the fact that the King hadn’t been blown up (though lighting fires to celebrate the lack of an explosion seems a little counterintuitive). The following year, the 5 November became a public holiday called Gunpowder Treason Day, celebrating the fact that the King survived.  

This holiday as a whole became progressively more partisan along religious lines as the country gradually progressed towards civil war. It’s interesting that even after the Civil War when King Charles I actually was executed, the idea of the day still continued in some form under the republicans, even though the original point was to celebrate the fact the King was alive.  

For the rest of the 17th century, whoever was leading the country, the day seems to have become progressively more chaotic, with such violent scenes in London in 1682 that a proclamation was issued banning bonfires and fireworks. In truth, the idea of 17th century fireworks is terrifying enough even in the hands of someone well meaning, let alone people looking to cause trouble. 

So, from those faintly horrific beginnings, we find ourselves at the current state of affairs where for a few days we are allowed to set off fireworks (and those people who worry that it scares the pets aren’t really allowed to complain). For all that, there are few things the Third Year Blog enjoys more than watching a rocket whirling off into the night sky while trying to spell ‘Third Year Blog’ in the darkness with their sparkler. 

The trouble with all this is that, as an opportunity for a wise analogy (and the Third Year Blog LOVES a wise analogy), Bonfire Night isn’t offering us a great deal. A day of celebrating our great leaders not being blown up, before actually getting rid of them, but carrying on celebrating anyway in increasingly more violent fashion does not feel like the sort of message to deliver to a year group as they head into the final four weeks of the first term of the year.  

So, what of Diwali, the Festival of Lights?  

Well, there are countless origin stories for Diwali, and all of them ultimately represent light winning over darkness, good triumphing over evil and knowledge prevailing over ignorance.  

This is more like it!  

So, as we head into the rest of the term, and you all head into the rest of this week’s blog, let’s all aim to be a little more Diwali and a little less Bonfire Night. 

Heads of Year Message

No Limits Week

We are excited about the return of No Limits Week. We encourage all Third Year pupils to take a full and active part in the co-curricular activities on offer starting Monday 16 November, recognising that many clubs will make an extra effort to put on activities that are suitable for newcomers on a “have a go” basis. Every pupil will need to get sign off in their yellow books having attended three co-curricular clubs/activities. Our recommendation is that everyone should aim to try at least one club/activity that they have never done before. You can review some of the options that will be available here: co-curricular area of SharePoint.

Wellbeing Week

Next week will also be Third Year Wellbeing Week. As part of our focus on supporting pupil wellbeing, we have asked subject teachers to avoid setting traditional homework tasks for their Third Year classes throughout next week, wherever possible.

Instead, pupils may be asked to do something a little more informal, such as listening to a podcast, watching a short film, or reading an article or a book.

The aim is to give the boys a little bit of breathing space during a busy term, while still encouraging positive engagement with learning and personal development.

We will also encourage Third Year pupils to use the opportunity to undertake a range of additional activities next week, to support their wellbeing.

Third Year Wellbeing Week Card

Entrance Exams – Third Year volunteers needed

On Saturday 21 November there will be hundreds of prospective Hamptonians sitting 11+ and 13+ entrance exams in school. We need your help to make the morning run as smoothly as possible and to make the young candidates feel as welcome as possible – they will be nervous, so your smiling faces and kind words can really make a difference. If you are willing and available, please volunteer to help out by checking with your parents that you can attend and then letting your Form Tutor know you are interested.

Timing: 8.00am – 11.45am

Wear school uniform.

5 LION Merits and a free cooked breakfast available for all volunteers.

Full ‘job description’ to be shared with volunteers, but you will have some time to complete your homework while you are at school.

Careers in Creative Industries

We are very grateful to the Careers Department for arranging and hosting the Careers in Creative Industries Event, which will take place on Wednesday 25 November. This is an opportunity for Third Year pupils to listen to a variety of expert speakers, explore their interests, and learn more about a range of exciting career pathways within creative and innovative industries.

Vaccinations

Flu vaccinations will take place in School during the morning of Tuesday 8 December. For these to go ahead for each child, the medical team needs parental consent. You will receive a letter (via SchoolPost) with details from the School Nurse in due course – this will include a link to the consent form which must be completed by parents.

Absences

If your child 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 absence. For absences other than illness (e.g. if a pupil has a medical appointment during School hours) notice of this should be given in advance wherever possible. For planned absences, please contact the Heads of Year requesting the absence with as much notice as possible.

We hope that everyone enjoys the weekend.

Best wishes

Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore

Geography Photography Competition

The Geography department held a competition using the theme ‘Changing Landscapes’ and two categories: ‘Home’ and ‘Abroad’. From all the entries, the Geography department selected a shortlist of 30 photos that were then displayed at the open morning, with visitors able to vote for their favourites, which led the selection of the winners. 

Remarkably, both the ‘Home’ and ‘Abroad’ category winners came from the Third Year! 

Well done Max O (3H) for winning the ‘Home’ category, and Rishi S (3E) for winning the ‘Abroad category. Their outstanding photos are below!    

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Twin Celebrations

This weekend was honestly one of the best. I could celebrate both Diwali and Bonfire Night. Loads of food, sparkling lights, and probably way too much sugar! 

For Diwali, my family decorated the house with colourful “diyas” (clay lamps) and prepared scrumptious food. Diwali is celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. 

But the Bonfire Night at Battersea Park, is a bit different with massive bonfire and an incredible fireworks display. The fireworks completely lit up the sky, and the atmosphere was full of energy even in chilled Autumn evening . It was loud, colourful and totally different from the peaceful glow of the Diwali lamps. 

Two celebrations. Two completely different traditions. One epic weekend! 

By Ashutosh S  (3A)

cup crusade

We have two reports on the ESFA Cup match that the U14A team played this week. Both reports are excellent – it’s great to have two different perspectives on the same match!

This Tuesday the U14A team travelled to Lewisham to compete in their ESFA round 3 draw against St Matthews Academy. The team were able to leave school at 11:00am so we could make it in time for a warmup prior to a 1:00pm kick off at Samuel Montagu youth centre. After winning the toss and deciding to kick off, we knew that it was not going to be an easy fixture – it was back and forth with both teams having plenty chances near the start. However, as we settled into the tempo, we started to control the game, with our defence winning almost every header and second ball that came towards them. 

We struck first around three quarters of the way into the first half, with Max K sending a perfectly placed through ball to Kyle O who managed to nod the ball round the keeper and convert the opportunity with a composed finish. Although it had been a tight contest, we felt we deserved to take the lead. The half time whistle blew, and Mr Castro took the opportunity to reiterate and strengthen our tactics for the second half. 

The second half kicked off and, almost instantly, Kyle was through on goal, but unexpectedly the linesman signalled a controversial offside decision. Then at around the midpoint of the second half St Matthews were awarded a corner kick. They managed to take a fast corner before we had prepared, though there was a question as to whether the referee had signalled for them to take, but the goal stood regardless. 

We then regained our momentum, and chance after chance came until eventually Peter R-R received a cross from Nico L, which he took first time just outside the six-yard box and buried into the net – we had gone in front! The final ten minutes were fiercely contested but, in the end, Hampton managed to retain their 2-1 lead. Hampton was into the fourth round of ESFA where we will play either Cheam High School or Brampton Manor Academy. Our cup run continues! 

By Nico L (3C) 

On Tuesday afternoon, Hampton’s U14As travelled across London to compete in the 3rd round of the ESFA Cup against St Matthews Academy, Lewisham. The game kicked off in windy conditions which lead to a challenging start for both teams. Hampton broke the deadlock mid-way through the first half with Kyle O (3J) hitting the back of the net. A solid defensive performance saw Hampton take the lead into the break.  

The opposition came out in the second half looking to equalise and a quickly taken corner brought them level. From this moment and through the rest of the game Hampton dominated and got their much-deserved winner when Peter R-R (3C) sealed the victory, giving Hampton a 2-1 win. We now look forward to finding out who our opponents are for the fourth round. 

By Max K (3J)

Even More Football!

On Saturday, we had a football match for the U14B team vs Charterhouse. The first half started with us taking the lead with Filippos M, who scored a hattrick in our ESFA game on Thursday (which we unfortunately lost in extra time). After conceding a penalty through a silly mistake, Charterhouse equalised, and by half time we found ourselves 2-1 down.  

After some quick tactical adjustments and substitutions, we equalised through a goal from Vivaan K and found ourselves dominating the game. We were constantly creating chances and having shots on target, until an amazing goal from Xavier T won us the game, making the final score 3-2.  

By Vivaan K (3J) 

Two Truths and a lie

Last week we had Third Form Tutor, Mr Zannetou, lying to us all. This was what he wanted us to believe: 

• Mr Zannetou is affiliated with the Mozambican national football team
• Mr Zannetou raced cars (he is unspecific about which type of cars)
• Mr Zannetou was once a security guard for 90s pop idol and reality TV hero Peter Andre

It turns out that Mr Zannetou did race cars. I am sure that if you asked him, he would be able to tell you more about this, as the Third Year blog is woefully ill informed on this point. Mr Zannetou was once a security guard for Peter Andre – the Third Year Blog imagines that he is too discreet to reveal any secrets, but he must have any number of stories about mid-90s C list celebrities. What this means is that he has no affiliation with the Mozambican national football team. Bearing in mind the fact that Mozambique have never qualified for the World Cup, this probably reflects quite well on him. 

This week, we have Third Year royalty joining us: Mr Moore! Unfortunately for the moral fibre of the School, it seems that being a Head of Year does not prevent you from telling terrible lies when asked. We didn’t even need to bribe him. Though arguably, if he had accepted bribes, that would have been even worse. Anyway. What does he want us to believe? 

• Mr Moore is a big Abba fan
• Mr Moore has won the National Rosslyn Park Rugby 7s
• Mr Moore has scuba-dived in the Bahamas to conduct fieldwork on endangered coral reef ecosystems

Which is the lie? Find out next week! 

Connection Corner

A big shout out to everyone who had a go at the last Connection Corner and well done those of you who answered all the questions correctly. The correct connection was that they’re all related to a deck of playing cards! Merits go to Raff O-C Z, Ashveer C, Lucas O’C, Alexander B, Frankie D, Eli M, Ryan A, Joshin F, Logan K, Tim M, Harri C, Ethan C, Ojas P, Jack W, William J, Moksha K, Oliver J, Juan AVDS, George P-L and Oscar V-V.

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:

Have a great weekend!