Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
We’ve been hearing all about the different jobs that are best suited to our fantastic Third Year boys this week, after many of them completed the informative Probe test last weekend. Ranging from sports coaches to social workers, plumbers to physicians, the boys were intrigued at the array of jobs that best fitted their skill sets. Did anyone get CEO of Amazon? I heard that job’s available…
Just one more week to go until half term. Keep up the hard work until next Friday, boys, then enjoy some well-deserved time off! Some great stuff to get your teeth into in the blog this week – read on Macduff!
Heads of Year Message
With one week to go until a well-earned half term break, we want to take stock briefly and reflect on a challenging few weeks during which Third Year boys have shown great adaptability, diligence and fortitude. We recognise that cumulative fatigue is a significant factor during Guided Home Learning. This is the main reason that Third Years have not been asked to complete additional homework since the start of term. It is also why we would like all Third Years to ensure they spend plenty of time away from their screens this weekend, enabling their eyes, body and mind to recharge for the week ahead. Finally, it is one of the reasons that we are looking forward to Thursday next week, when Form Tutors will meet with their tutees in small groups on MS Teams for pastoral check-ins and troubleshooting.
Morning registration
A reminder that all boys must log on and “register” on Firefly by 8:45 each morning. They must also attend a morning registration on MS Teams with Form Tutors at 8:45 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, or a Form Period at 10:15 on Mondays and Thursdays.
LUCID testing
There were some unforeseen compatibility issues with the LUCID testing software and the boys’ iPads. This means that some boys weren’t able to complete all three of the LUCID tests during their Computer Science lesson this week. If any of the affected boys have access to a laptop or desktop computer at home, they can choose to use the links and instructions provided by their Computer Science teacher to complete the tests in their own time. However, this is not a compulsory task, as we will ensure that all boys complete the tests when we are able to return to the School site. Subsequently, the Learning Support Department will inform parents if any follow-up screening is advisable.
A reminder that these tests are nothing to be worried about – the boys cannot and should not attempt to revise for them. There is no pass or fail, and the tests will not affect Grade Cards.
Boys – well done for all your efforts so far this term. Please keep the efforts up and let us or your Form Tutors know if you are having difficulties.
Best wishes
Miss Smith & Mr Rigby
Fantasy Six Nations League
I am sure it hasn’t escaped your attention that the Six Nations Rugby Championship starts this weekend, which will hopefully provide some much-needed entertainment to brighten up your weekends over the coming few weeks!
The Third Year mentors have come up with the excellent idea of a Fantasy Six Nations league, and all Third Year boys are invited to join in and set up your own teams! The mentors will be joining in as well, and your Form Tutors, Assistant Heads of Year and Heads of Year too!
How do I register for the league?
Simply click on the link below, entering the password that has been sent to you via email. Note – you must register using your correct full name and anyone not doing so may be removed from the league and will not be eligible for points!
fantasy six nations rugby registration
Joining the league is free and at no point will you need to upgrade or pay money for anything
How long do I have to pick my team?
The first fixture of the Six Nations Championship is Italy vs France at 2.15pm this Saturday. You must have picked and finalised your team by then.
What can I win?
Top ranked competitors from each week will receive merits, as well as earning important Inter-Form points for their Form! The top three overall at the end of the league will receive prizes, and many more Inter-Form points will be awarded for overall finishing position. Every entry could count so even if Rugby isn’t your thing, why not enter a team and see how you do anyway? It’s always good fun to get one over on your friend/Form Tutor/mentor!
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today!
Best of luck!
CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS 2021
Calling all budding authors! Do you fancy seeing your name in print? Have you always wanted to put pen to paper? Well now’s your chance as it’s time for the Hampton School Creative Writing Awards 2021!
To enter, write a short action adventure story of no more than 1,000 words and email your entry to CreativeWritingAwards2021@hamptonschool.org.uk by Friday 26 February.
All information can be found on the Firefly section for the Creative Writing Awards link below:
CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS 2021 INFORMATION
Young adult fiction author Sara Grant will give personalised feedback to all shortlisted finalists in each of the age group categories. Book vouchers are up for grabs too, and the winners will have their writing published in this summer’s edition of Lion Print, Hampton’s Creative Arts magazine.
Take a listen to Angus from our School Captains team and some of our creative writers from across the year groups to find out more:
Lockdown Monologues
Mrs Booker tells us what 3J have been doing in English this term:
The boys in 3J are studying dramatic monologues. As a way to consolidate their knowledge of the key features of a dramatic monologue, each pupil wrote a monologue based on their lockdown experience. In particular, boys were asked to focus on a key person, place, event, or item that has been significant to them during lockdown and use it as a springboard to reflect on this extraordinary year. The boys were then asked to consider the performance of a one-person play in a ‘Talking Head’ / video-diary format, which seems a particularly pertinent medium to express our feelings on lockdown isolation.
Take a look at what some of 3J came up with. Some fantastic results, well done!
Thursday Night In: Family Cook-Along with Chef Paulie
Join us for a special Thursday Night In at 7pm on Thursday 11 February to cook-along with Hampton School Head Chef Paulie. We will be making some delicious ‘Posh Nachos’. We will be preparing the toppings as the tortillas bake and become nachos! Following that we will top them with jalapeños and cheese. This dish will be served two ways: one plate with everything together, one with the dips served in bowls on the side so everything is crispy with baby gem “boats”.
So if you fancy cooking up some tasty treats with your family then Book Here
PE & SPORTS
Don’t forget your ongoing PE task for the next few weeks, boys! It’s a great way to keep active and stay healthy.
You should be looking to complete a minimum of four activities from the grid below. Why not try and perform the tasks with others from your household or friends virtually?
2021 Lockdown Challenge 3 – Read a book!
We’re thrilled to see the response of so many of you to our Lockdown Challenges here at the Third Year blog. More details on our most recent Art Challenge can be found below!
This week, in honour of National Storytelling Week, we’ve got a new challenge for you! It’s easy, but a fantastic one to get your teeth into nonetheless!
Your challenge is to pick up a new book that you’ve never read before, and give it a good old read! That’s right, just grab a cup of tea, put your feet up, and get stuck in to your book! What could be better?
If you need some inspiration, take a look at the Hampton School Twitter feed from this week for some excellent recommendations from your teachers. Or maybe our Heads of Third Year can help? Here they are with their recommendations:
Mr Rigby
A Little History of the World – EH Gombrich
Prisoners of Geography – Tim Marshall
Penguins Stopped Play – Harry Thompson
Miss Smith
The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom
The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Any Human Heart – William Boyd
The Silence of the Lambs – Thomas Harris
A Little Life – Hanya Yanagihara
Send us a photo of you getting stuck into your book, or maybe a short review of what your book was about and why you enjoyed it! All submissions to j.neville@hamptonschool.org.uk
2021 Lockdown Challenge 2 – Art Challenge!
We’ve had some absolutely fantastic pieces of art submitted by our Third Years over the past two weeks, and it’s been great to see how you’ve been using your artwork as a way to relax and unwind!
Thomas T and Ishan P completed these contrasting pieces, showcasing very different skills but equally effectively! Well done, chaps!
The Third Year boys have also continued to work hard on their academic art during lockdown – take a look at some of the pieces below!
Art isn’t always about drawing or painting. Jérôme S came up with his very own saxophone composition recently, entitled “slowly coming together”, and recorded himself playing it! Have a listen below.
Question of the week!
Lots of very worthy efforts last week – a tough selection! Many congratulations to Will Y and Adam S who were the only two to answer all three questions correctly and have earned themselves a merit! The correct answers were the Eiffel Tower, seven Bronte sister novels and Manchester United!