Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
It’s been a week that certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry – not least because of the extraordinary heat! With temperatures soaring into the mid‑30s, Hampton felt more like the Mediterranean than Middlesex at times, and it’s been brilliant to see how everyone has adapted, supported one another, and kept spirits high despite the challenge.
Even in those conditions, there has been so much to celebrate. Last Monday’s Fun Run was a real highlight of this half term for me, with fantastic energy throughout and a wonderful emphasis on team spirit – it was great to see so many of you encouraging one another and enjoying the occasion together. Alongside that, there have been impressive sporting successes, creative performances in the Rock Concert, and continued enthusiasm for trips, clubs, and competitions across the year group.
With the end of term now in sight, there’s a growing sense of excitement – and rightly so. There is still plenty to look forward to in the days ahead, and if this week is anything to go by, it promises to be a memorable finish to a fantastic term.
merit Milestones
There’s still a few days left to get those merit certificates signed off. A big shout out to:
Moksha Katamaneni – 80 (Fantastic!)
Timothy Mountain – 90 (Superb!)
It’s Hot, Hot, Hot!
What a historic week we have just experienced! With temperatures soaring above 35C, our School became more of a sauna than a place to study, thanks to Hampton being right in the middle of the heatwave. The Met office issued a Red Extreme Heat Alert for three days in a row, which was a first in history. Here is a look at what Hampton did to keep us all safe.
- Ties and Blazers were put away, changing to PE kit to help keep the heat at bay
- Break and lunchtimes were spent indoors or under the shade
- Pupils were encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle, sun hat, and sun cream
In conclusion, the week was a demonstration of the strength of our community. Hampton defeated the heat.
By Joshin F (2G)
This week we have seen the hottest June days in years. It’s been very, very hot and certainly not for the faint hearted. The highlight of the week had to be the fact that we could wear our PE kit every day. Not such a highlight was we couldn’t really play football – we were advised to stay indoors. If we really missed football though, we had the chance to watch football highlights in the air-conditioned Hammond Theatre. Many of us in my form really enjoyed having the chance just to slow down and chat instead of running around and sprinting off to all sorts of outdoor clubs. They will hopefully be back next week though before we head off for our summer holidays.
In London, it was hotter than many Mediterranean holiday places this week, so if we wanted to we could imagine we were on holiday without having to jet off anywhere. All we needed was a swimming pool. In the absence of a swimming pool (wouldn’t that be amazing) some boys invested in a fan that doubled up as a spray. Apparently, it gets so hot in some places (desert regions) that you could fry an egg on a rock. It doesn’t look like anyone tried that at Hampton this week, although I think we all felt it would work. Talking of fried eggs, lunch was as good as ever, and whilst we tucked in, we could feel the breeze of the huge fans. It looks like the heatwave is now flying off to other countries again at the end of the week and we will soon enough be moaning about why it is always raining.
By Rafferty OC (2W)
The past week has been the hottest one so far with temperatures soaring so drastically that the school has warned many from going outside for break and lunch to stop everyone from melting on the scorching tarmac. This Wednesday being the hottest day ever recorded in June in the UK but thankfully rooms like F31 completely saved the day and rightfully earned its title one of the best rooms to have during hot days like these. Stepping through that specific doorway feels exactly like walking straight into a luxury fridge thanks to its incredible, blasting air conditioning, making it one of the coldest rooms in the entire building where instead of blasting fans on full power you can relax and indulge in the perfect air conditioning that other rooms don’t have. To help cope with the heat some amazing members of staff have started handing out freezing-cold ice pops during lunch, which has been a metaphorical life saver for many as you walk out of the lunch hall and are greeted by a refreshing ice pop (my favourite flavour is raspberry). So stay cool and remember your sun screen!
By Rahim K (2B)
It feels like the moment you step outside, you’re melting. Even sitting indoors isn’t much better when the air feels warm and stuffy. The heat makes it hard to do anything. Playing outside, riding your bike, or even walking to the shops can leave you feeling tired and sweaty. At School, it’s difficult to concentrate because everyone just wants a cool drink and a fan.
Of course, sunny weather is nice at first, but there comes a point where it’s just too much. Instead of enjoying the sunshine, people end up hiding indoors with the curtains closed, hoping for a cool breeze that never seems to arrive. The best way to cope is to drink plenty of water, wear light clothes, and stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day. An ice cream or a cold drink definitely helps too! I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually looking forward to cooler weather. A bit of rain and a fresh breeze would be a welcome change after all this heat!
By Noam C (2L)
Interform Chess
Yesterday was the School chess interform tournament. Our form did really well, and we actually won the whole thing! The setup was simple. Every form had a group of three people playing for them. We had one person in the A team, I was in the B team, and we had another person in the C team. Because I was the B team player, I only had to play against the B team players from all the other forms. I managed to win all three of my games. The first two games were pretty easy, but the last game was a bit harder, but I still managed to win.
My opponents made a few mistakes, and I took advantage of them to get the wins. Because we got so many points from all our matches, our form finished at the top of the leaderboard. Well done to everyone who played!
By Aayushmaan C (2L)
Rock concert
On Tuesday, I participated in the Summer Rock Concert. I was pumped. We stayed in School after 4pm for sound checks and we had dinner at 5.45pm. I was worried that the concert wouldn’t go on due to the extreme heat, but luckily, the Hammond Theatre has air conditioning, so we were saved. At 7pm, the concert started with one of the best performances by the band ‘Deliverence’. This was a Sixth Former band. We were the sixth group to play. Our band was called ‘The Atoms’ and we played ‘Crazy Train’ by Ozzy Osborne. The people in our band were Timothy M, Jack D, and Joshan K. Overall, the night was really fun with great bands playing classic songs, as well as duets and solos, that were mainly mellow, emotional songs. I am very exited for the next concert, where hopefully, we will play another song and have another great evening.
By Ojas P (2P)
There are some events that feel exciting from the moment you walk into the room; and this year’s Rock Concert was one of them. From First Year all the way up to Sixth Form, pupils came together to perform, support each other, and create an atmosphere that was loud, energetic, and unforgettable.
The concert was a brilliant celebration of music across the whole School. Every performer brought something different to the stage, whether it was powerful guitar riffs, confident vocals, driving drumbeats or the kind of stage presence that made the audience want to cheer even louder. What made the evening so special was the mix of ages and experience. Some were stepping onto the stage as younger musicians still building their confidence, while older pupils performed with the polish and control of people who clearly love what they do.
For me, the night was especially memorable because I had the chance to perform in two bands. The first was the Junior Rock Band, which gave me the opportunity to be involved in more songs with the help of teachers. Being part of that band showed how music can bring pupils together, helping everyone work as a team and perform with confidence.
The second band was Velvet Fault, a band that my friends and I created. Performing with a group that we built ourselves made the experience even more exciting. It felt personal, creative, and full of energy. Standing on stage with my friends, hearing the music come together, and seeing the audience react was genuinely exhilarating.
The whole evening had a real sense of excitement. It was not just about playing instruments or singing songs; it was about confidence, teamwork, creativity, and courage. Every band added something to the concert, and every performer helped make the night feel alive. The audience’s support made a huge difference too, with cheers, applause and encouragement helping to create an atmosphere that felt electric from start to finish.
Overall, the Rock Concert was an amazing reminder of how much talent there is across the School. It showed pupils from every year group expressing themselves, taking risks and enjoying the power of live music. It was fun, inspiring, and full of moments that people will remember for a long time.
By Armaan K (2P)
Cricket Success
U13s reach National Cup Final with commanding victory!
Hampton School U13s produced a superb all-round performance to secure their place in the National Cup Final with a comprehensive 151-run victory over Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School on Monday. After being asked to bat first, Hampton posted an imposing 230-3 from their 30 overs, built around an outstanding partnership between Bertie E and Yuvan M.
Following the early loss of Jesse G for 4, Yuvan and Bertie combined brilliantly, adding 190 runs for the second wicket and taking control of the match. Bertie was the star of the innings, striking a magnificent 116 from 88 balls, including 18 fours and a six. His innings combined power and precision, keeping the scoreboard moving throughout. At the other end, Yuvan provided the perfect support, compiling an excellent 58 from 78 balls, with six boundaries. The pair guided Hampton from 8-1 to 198-2 before Bertie was eventually dismissed in the 27th over. Captain Kaarthikan M then added a quickfire unbeaten 20 from 13 balls to help Hampton finish strongly on 230-3.Hampton’s batting line-up proved difficult to contain.
Defending a formidable total, Hampton’s bowlers made a devastating start. Kaarthikan removed three batsmen in the opening over and added a fourth wicket shortly afterwards to leave the hosts reeling at 22-5. Despite a determined resistance, Sir Thomas Rich’s never recovered from the early collapse.
Kaarthikan finished with outstanding figures of 4-23 from 5 overs, while Arhaan K claimed 3-6 to wrap up the innings. Further wickets from Rahul P, Bertie E, and Max K completed an excellent team bowling display as Sir Thomas Rich’s were dismissed for 79 in 23.1 overs. The emphatic victory sends Hampton School U13s through to the National Cup Final, where they will look to complete an exceptional cup campaign.
Hampton School U13: 230-3 (30 overs)
Bertie E 116 (88)
Yuvan M 58 (78)
Kaarthikan M 20* (13)
Hampton Bowling:
Kaarthikan M 4-23
Arhaan K 3-6
Result: Hampton School U13 won by 151 runs
On Monday, the U13A team travelled West to Gloucester and beat Sir Thomas Rich School in the semi-final of the National Cup. We batted first and the standout innings was from Bertie who scored 116, with Yuvan contributing 58 runs and Kaarthikan with a quickfire 20 not out at the end. Along with extras, this helped us score 230 runs after 30 overs. Our bowling started really well – Kaarthikan began with a blitz of three wickets in the first over. This was followed by Rahul, who took a wicket in the 4th over, and later in the fifth, Karthikan took another wicket, giving him a total of four for the match. The momentum slowed down as the first and 7th batters formed a partnership. Eventually, we found the breakthrough and got the 7th batter out. The game drifted on, and a few wickets were taken in the final few overs, with Arhaan getting three wickets at the end to bowl them out for only 79 runs. Overall, this was a convincing win for Hampton, and we look forward to the final against the winners of the match between the Midlands and North regions.
By Luke W (2F)
On Monday, the U13A cricket team departed form Hampton to play the national semi-final. On the way there, we played fun verbal games stopping at a service station to eat something. Upon arrival, we were shown to our changing room. We quickly changed into our whites and put on our spikes. During our brisk warm-up, the toss was done and we were put into bat. We ended on 230/3 after our 30 overs. A notable performance was Bertie E who scored 116 of 88 balls, anchoring our innings in the searing heat. After a big score on the board, we were clearly ahead in the game, but we couldn’t take it easy as they would do anything to get back in this game. Starting off was Kaarthikan M who got three wickets in his first over ending with figures of 4-23 after his five overs. Another good performance with the ball was Arhaan K who picked up three wickets in his two overs. After 23 overs we got a very convincing win bowling them all out for 79. After a scorching and tiring day, we have made it to the National final. On the way back home, we were treated to a tea at Burger King. We have now got Whitgift on the weekend so this will be a good practice for our final, during the summer holidays.
By Smyan M (2L)
The Fun Run
Our fun run was the most exciting day of the entire year. Every single pupil in my class was smiling and laughing from the very start. We could not stop smiling because the whole day felt like a giant party. The energy all around us was amazing and made everyone feel super happy. It was so fun to see all my classmates feeling so bright and cheerful. We did not care about winning because we just wanted to enjoy the day. Having fun together as a big group was the absolute best part of all. Every moment of the event brought a new reason for us to laugh out loud. My face actually hurt by the end because I was smiling so much. It was truly an unforgettable day that made us all feel so happy.
My classmates and I stayed close together during the whole event. We made sure to cheer loudly for each other during every single minute. Whenever someone felt a little bit tired, we yelled words of happy support. We kept shouting positive things to make sure nobody ever gave up today. Hearing my close friends clap for me made me feel so strong. We clapped our hands to make lots of noise. Our team spirit was so loud that everyone around us could hear us. We helped each other cross the big finish line with giant happy smiles. Cheering for my best friends made the entire day feel extra special. We felt like a big happy family because we supported each other. Overall. Being part of the Fun Run was really good!
By Moksha K (2B)
Summer Sport
This weekend I was lucky enough to compete in a football tournament at Sandgate, which is a six-a-side tournament, with my team Rocks Lane Chiswick. It was scorching temperature, so we needed to stay hydrated, but in my first game we won 2-1, where they almost came back from 2-0 down. In our second game we won again, although almost conceding numerous times. Next up we played against Sandgate, the hosts, where we comfortably won 3-1 before drawing in our final group game, but it was too late and so we topped our group and progresses into the cup (highest knockout tournament).
Before the knockouts, we had a 30-minute break where we had to cool off and hydrate due to the blisteringly hot sun. Then in the round of 16 we won 1-0 after a dramatic late goal where they made a mistake at the back, we won the ball and slotted it in to steal the win, and we were into the quarter finals. In the quarter finals we also won 1-0 where someone on my team intended to boot it out as we were under pressure, but instead it ended up going in securing us a spot in the semi-finals. Sadly, we proceeded to lose 2-0 in the semi-finals to the eventual winners.
Although we did not end up winning the tournament it was a fun tournament of football that I enjoyed thoroughly.
By Ali E (2J)
During the last couple of weeks over this summer term I have taken up a new sport: rowing, which I have thoroughly enjoyed (even despite this current heat which made it slightly more tiring). In rowing, because Hampton isn’t on a river, the first part of our sports session is actually a light run down to the boat house which is just over 2.6km which might sound a little long for the heat we are currently experiencing, but the fact of it still being a new area means that I always pick up something new making the run more interesting such as the water plant or just the cars moving around us as we run there.
Once we finally get to the boat house, we then continue this exercise in the format of a RAMP workout, which I think most would say is the hardest part seeing its directly after our run. Then came the next and most exciting part: the actual rowing, in which during this half term I have actually done multiple different types including learning the parts of the boat, doing singles and the highlight rowing in an octo, as we get to row at a constant speed for a long time which is exactly why I chose the sport (along with getting to make some new friends and learn a whole new experience).
Overall, my last couple of sessions have been fantastic and I have enjoyed revising the basics, but I am excited to continue it on next year and to develop my skills even more.
By Sebastian Y (2G)
Last Monday I competed in the Track and Field Cup Regional Finals where I threw the javelin and ran the 4x100m relay. My events went well; I threw the javelin 25m and me and my relay team came second in our heat. Overall, as a School we did very well and Hampton came third getting 438 points while Grey Court School came first with 491 points.
By Theo R (2H)
Championing Chess
Recently, I have participated in a chess competition known as the UKCC (The UK chess challenge). This is a competition with three stages: the Mega final, Giga final and Terra final. These all lead up to another stage. For example, you need to achieve three and a half points out of six to reach the Giga final from the Mega final. Then there are five ways to get through to the Terra final. Three of them are to be the top boy, top girl or the runner-up (the 2nd boy/ girl whoever achieved more points) in either the Northern Giga final, the Southern Giga final or the top boy or girl in the Scottish or online Giga final. There is also a stage called Challengers where you need to get five and ½ points to get through and then compete in a separate tournament to stand a chance to get into the Terra final. After that, in total 12 people go through and play each other head to head (11 games each) and to see an overall champion. The tournament I have participated in has been only the Mega final, but I managed to score four points after a very long game in round six that was longer than all the other games in the tournament. This also secured me joint thirrd place that I was proud of because my opponent, in the sixth round was supposedly better than me in elo, yet I still secured the victory.
By Nico AG (2F)
The National Archives trip
On a bright Tuesday morning, I found myself and the other winners of the Second Year History Competition outside the School’s main entrance ready to visit The National Archives in Kew. I was fascinated about what could be inside the great building of The Nation Archives. Mrs Havord and Mrs Willcox led the trip and guided us through the corridors of the huge building.
Our first workshop was about ‘Resistance and Rebellion’. We studied and analysed documents and maps of areas of different plantations and records of the punishments enslaved people were given. We were told to be very careful with the documents as they were extremely fragile and some of them might be the only copies in the entire world. All the documents we looked at were really interesting although it could sometimes be a challenge to try and read the handwriting.
Our second workshop was about ‘The Suffragettes’. We looked at the files for some of the Suffragettes such as Christabel Pankhurst and Eileen Casey. There were many pages of petitions and notes made by the police about them. There was even an opportunity to try to decode messages, which were sent to the other suffragette all around the country, using the police’s notes. We also learnt that the suffragettes only attacked property such as smashing windows rather than targeting people. Overall, visiting The National Archives was an amazing and educational experience and gave me a wider understanding about these topics.
By James C (2H)
RS Trip
Last Wednesday, we went on an exciting RS trip to the All Saints Church where we had learnt about the Christian symbols of candles and flowers and what someone would wear at the church as well as the different denominations and sectors of Christianity and how they differentiate. We had learned the relation to ethics and moral philosophy and how Christians view ethics. It was fascinating and showcased what we learnt in our RS lessons, and we even managed to complete a treasure hunt. This was where we had to find the different symbolic parts of the church, such as the altar, and explore the different parts of the church. We learnt about the types of celebrations and gatherings that occur at the church and how they are celebrated. This incredible trip even made me miss three periods of lessons!
By Arjun D (2W)
History Trip
Last week we went to see the Mary Rose in Portsmouth. The Mary rose is a ship that was built in the 16th century. Henry VIII loved the ship and built it out of his own money, and he paid for its construction. It was shot down in a battle against the French near Portsmouth where England won but lost the Mary Rose, the French retreated to the Isle of Wight but the people there led them out and they were forced to retreat back to France. It is said that from around 300 people only about 16 survived. The Mary Rose was recently discovered by a group of divers in 1965 and displayed in the Mary Rose Museum.
By Mohammed T (2H)
Club of the Week
In recent weeks, a group of friends and I have been going to Cryptic Crossword Club. The club is a great experience where you can have fun, relax and solve cryptic puzzles that get your brain thinking. You start off solving simple crosswords to introduce you to the different clue types. You then move on to the main crossword which can be challenging but also great fun. You can choose to work on your own or with a team of your friends. You can go slowly or choose to beat your record time of solving the Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword (the one we regularly use at the crossword club). Cryptic crosswords are very fun and are a very satisfying experience, especially once you finish the weekly crossword! I think everyone should take the time to try this club at least once, just to see if they like it. It is welcoming and even people who have never been to the club before (or solved a crossword before) can attend. If you want to attend Cryptic Crossword Club then go to G49 on a Wednesday lunch, at the first period.
By Deniz G (2F)
World Cup Frenzy
The England match against Ghana took place in Boston on Tuesday at 9pm which is early compared to some matches like Mexico versus Korea which took place at 2am. But also, it is just time zones too. The match was a mix of emotions but ultimately ended up with England drawing 0-0 against Ghana in a frustrating World Cup match. Thomas Tuchel’s team kept the ball for most of the game. However, they could not break through Ghana’s tight, stubborn defence. Both teams struggled to create real chances, leading to a very boring first half with no shots on target. England then played much faster at the very end of the match. Nico O’Reilly hit the crossbar with a powerful late header. Harry Kane then missed the open rebound from close range. After the match this keeps England first in group L despite the disappointing result after beating Croatia 4-2 but not solidifying their place in the round of 32 but we probably and should qualify for it. The next match is against Panama on the 27 June at 10pm and being played in New Jersey/ New York. Personally, I really believe it could be coming home after 60 years of embarrassment. Come on England.
By Ralph L (2B)
Quiz of the Week
Welcome to the Quiz of the Week! Every week, we’ll post five general knowledge questions. Take a look at this week’s questions, have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer.
Points for the Interform Competition will be awarded to the form with the most entries over the term.
Why don’t you have a go at this week’s quiz which come to us from Arvin M (2F). Enter your answers here:
Here are the answers to last week’s quiz:
- What was Twitter’s original name when it was launched? twttr
- How many hearts does an octopus have? Three
- In the Harry Potter series, who is the Half-Blood Prince? Severus Snape
- What is the strongest muscle in the human body? The jaw muscle
- Question: Which artist made history as the youngest winner of the Grammys’ four main categories in 2020? Billie Eilish
Well done to the following Second Year Hamptonians who answered everything correctly – Reyansh K and Jesse G.
