Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
Plato, a famously wise man, said that he ‘would teach children music, physics and philosophy, but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the key to learning.’ The Third Year Blog has a great deal of sympathy with this, partly because it feels instinctively as if this approach would ultimately lead to less marking. Joking aside (is the Third Year Blog joking? Who knows…), the idea of music as a foundational element of what it is to be human or to understand the world is a fascinating and attractive one.
The same piece of music can be beautiful to one person and boring to another. The same piece of music can be boring to one person and then, later in life, beautiful to that same person. It is endlessly varied and can nourish and nurture almost any emotion.
Research suggests that, for most people, by the time they are in their mid-twenties, the music they are listening to will form the basis of the music they listen to for the rest of their lives. This means that for the average Third Year, the music you listen to over the next 10 years or so will be the music you are still listening to when you are in your sixties and beyond. To the Third Year Blog, that feels like important information… You need to try to make sure that you are finding the broadest range of music that you can so that, while you still have the energy and interest for exploration, you are finding out what you REALLY like.
You are fortunate in this task because of the way that music is now distributed. There are a million songs at your fingertips. The trouble is that you will generally get offered and served music that is similar to what you are already listening to, so the key is to use the power you now have to explore.
Listen to music from different cultures. Listen to a genre of music you’ve not listened to before. Listen to something that a friend recommends. Listen to something your parents LOVE, but you’ve never listened to.
Music is everywhere and is endlessly fascinating, so try not to get stuck on repeat, and expand your horizons!
Of course, a decent start for all this can also be found at Hampton – particularly this week, when we had the Hampton Rock Concert, as well as a Music Salsa Workshop. More on both of those below as well as plenty of other things that the Third Year have been busying themselves with this week…
Heads of Year Messsage
Form Charity
The final day of half term (Friday 13 February) will be a Mufti Day.
All funds raised from the £2 billed contribution will go directly towards our three charity partners for this academic year; The Single Homeless Project, UCLH Cancer Charity Fund, and Save the Children. To find out more about our charity partners, or how to get involved in supporting Form Charity more proactively in school, please visit the Form Charity page on SharePoint here.
Thank you very much for your support.
Interform Challenge
We’re looking forward to four Interform Challenge events next half term – namely Interform (indoor) Rowing, Interform Football, Interform (touch) Rugby, and Interform Chess. There is all to play for in the competition overall, so we’re looking forward to seeing everyone get involved and try to win points for their Form.
Wellbeing Survey
On Thursday this week, we asked all Third Year pupils to answer a few questions relating to their experiences over the last few weeks. The results from this voluntary survey will help us continue to develop and guide school wellbeing support for pupils. The results will be looked at and followed up with individuals, if appropriate. We do not routinely share the results of this survey with 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
Rock On!
A great evening of music: last week on Friday many talented musicians took to the stage for an epic night of music. The soloists excelled with their calmer performances while 6th formers sang with heart and pride in their last winter rock concert ever at Hampton School.
The Junior Rock Bands, especially Third Year, performed very well, with positive responses from our audience.
The boys should all be happy with their efforts and we will see you next year.
By Aneesh A (3F)
The Third Year Blog also took the opportunity to catch up with Aneesh to get his personal viewpoint on the experience…
Third Year Blog: What was the atmosphere like backstage in the build up to the event?
Aneesh A: There were some nerves but I felt that it was overall pretty calm.
TTB: How did you feel in the build up to the event?
AA: Great – I was very excited for the event.
TTB: What’s the name of the band you were playing drums for and which song did you play?
AA: I was in the Junior Rock Band. We played ‘Stand by Me’.
TTB: What did it feel like when you first went on stage?
AA: Quiet. As everyone was waiting for whoever was coming on stage.
TTB: How did you feel the performance went?
AA: Quite smoothly. Bar the odd slip up, it went very well.
TTB: How did the crowd react? And how did that feel in the moment for you?
AA: The crowd had a very positive reaction – it was very loud and I felt that made me feel great.
TTB: What was the loudest moment of the night overall?
AA: The last song. It showed true brilliance with music and everyone went wild for it.
TTB: As you look back on having participated in it, what do you feel?
AA: I feel that I did great: and I can’t wait for the next one.
TTB: Thanks, Aneesh!
Great to see so many Third Years were involved – big shout out to Ethan C, Richard C, Aneesh A, Alex B and Ethan S-W.
It was a magnificent event, with the only issue being that the various amplifiers were unable to be turned up to 11! Below is a video that captures the power of the pupils’ performance! Well done to everyone who took to the Hammond Theatre stage. Rock On!
Salsa Workshop
Third Year Hamptonians were swept away by the vibrant sounds of Havana in a high‑energy Cuban salsa workshop. Pupils got hands‑on with authentic percussion, learned classic salsa rhythms and breaks, and built their ensemble skills through call‑and‑response patterns and improvisation. The session ended with a confident group performance, bursting with colour, rhythm and plenty of Hampton spirit!
Sports Roundup
U14A Basketball
On Wednesday, the U14 Basketball team played against Salesian School. As both teams started warming up, I looked over and noticed a few key players who seemed very athletic. However, I still had high hopes for this game.
When the game started, we went back and forth for a few minutes, but then we started to pull away as the first quarter finished. But we were sparse on the bench as we had just seven players while Salesian had almost double that number. That started to take a toll in the second half as they seemed to run us down the court. It didn’t help that one of our players was ill!
In the last quarter, with a final burst of energy, we started to slowly catch up on their lead, but time had run out and the score difference was too large. I scored 14 points, however there were many missed chances that were unlucky. The final score was 18-37. Overall, it was a good competitive game and everyone enjoyed it.
By Yule C (3B)
U14D Football
On the last day of January, the U14D’s had the opportunity to represent the School, after many consecutively cancelled games due to the lovely British weather! An early 9.30am kick off started with two of our number on the bench, the rest of the team looking to get an early goal and dominate the tie.
Around the 5-minute mark, James C – a well-respected attacking midfielder, often likened to Maradona – used great dribbling to get past two of Wilsons’ extremely physical centre backs and cut it across to goal to our winger, who, with an open goal and lots of time, wrongfooted himself and hit it sideways. This was similar to another chance in which James, again, managed to pass it across to a player with an open net who sadly did not score.
Around 10 minutes had been played when our defence conceded a free kick just outside the box, centrally. From this, they scored a heavily deflected goal. Not long after, James was fouled, with a free kick given that was within shooting range. The effort struck the lower end of the post, just going out for a goal kick.
Losing by one at half time, the team (with some memorable comebacks under their belts) were optimistic to go on and win, after having the lion’s share of great opportunities in the first period. Hampton dominated the early periods of the seconds half, and after dazzling dribbling on the wing, Jujhaar (a debutant) laid it off to James, who stuck it in with poise and power from close range. Goal!
The game dragged on level, with Hampton facing an extreme low block. With about 30 seconds left, Jujhaar had a throw in on the left wing, close to the box . He used his lightning instincts to find Yusuf R’s darting run on goal, and he managed to sneak it in with his first touch on the ball, to drive it low into the bottom corner off the post, going in slowly but sweetly.
The team roared in relief and happiness, our efforts rewarded in a deserved and dramatic win. This resilience shown by the defensive unit, midfield composure and attacking assertion can be rightly compared to the Invincible Arsenal team of 2003-04.
By Yusuf R (3E)
U14C Football
Last Saturday our U14Cs played Wilson’s, and what a game it was. They had the kick off and we immediately pressed, winning the ball. After 8 minutes of hard-fought football Finn T played a precise through ball into Noriki W, who skipped past the defender and hit it into the bottom right corner! 1-0 to the Cs! We all celebrated as they kicked off the game again.
Although they had some decent breaks, we were clearly the ones controlling the game. With our midfield linking up with the attack, it was all coming together. On the counterattack, Finn had a crack at goal but his shot was saved by the opposition keeper: corner! Noriki took the corner as Devan S ran into the box and headed it into the back of the net. 2-0, before half time – what an advantage! Two minutes later the HT whistle blew, as we gathered to talk about how we could link up further. We came back onto the field, hyped with our 2 goal advantage.
The next 15 minutes were active, but no close shots or goals came. As we approached the 55th minute, Finn played another amazing ball through their defence to Noriki, who waited for the ball before scoring.
But then the whistle blew, the referee calling for offside. Noriki felt he was just onside (as did his teammates), but no one saw much reason in arguing too far and so left it to focus on the match. Things began to be more tense here, as soon Wilsons started to put in aggressive tackles. Shirts were being pulled, and sliding tackles were being made – things really were heating up and things only became more tense as they were awarded a penalty for a foul. The Wilsons player finished the penalty clinically and, all of a sudden, it became close and the nervousness on the Hampton side heated up.
The next 5 minutes were uneventful, but Wilson’s were playing with more confidence and it wasn’t helping – even with our 2-1 lead. But with 10 minutes to go, Chester F played the ball to Ridhaan G on the wing. He played the ball to Noriki, who took it past two defenders and struck it into the bottom left corner. What a relief! The goal was really needed to kill their morale and boost ours as the team once again celebrated a very impressive team goal – 3-1!
8 minutes passed and the final whistle blew – what a game it was, even though there were some scares. We played a great game and managed to get a win having been unable to meet for 6 weeks because of cancelled matches due to the usual UK rain. Overall, a great game and hopefully the wins will carry on and remain for the coming games to come!
By Noriki W (3E)
Backgammon Club
Run by ex-World Champion Mr Barnes!
This Thursday, at 1:10pm, some friends and I decided to try our hands at backgammon. We went into it thinking we’d be no good, but Mr Barnes’ world class skills at the board game helped us get the hang of it. I’ve been going for two weeks now, and I’ve seen a massive growth in attendees the second time round.
I’m happy that backgammon is getting more popular around the school because in the two weeks I’ve been there, I’ve developed a love for the game and I’m starting to see some improvement.
Although there is some luck involved as is true of most dice games, backgammon is a very skill-based game, so if you’re up for the task, come along next Thursday and see how you do!
By Michael C (3G)
Talk! Jon Varney CEO Brentford FC
We’re delighted to welcome one of the most successful business leaders in the premier league for our next lunchtime Talk! which will take place at 1pm on Tuesday 10 February and is open just to Hamptonians!
Jon Varney has served as Chief Executive of Brentford Football Club since March 2019, guiding the Bees through a period of extraordinary transformation – achieving a historic return to top‑flight football after a 74‑year absence. Mr Varney grew up in the local area, attending Teddington School and Richmond upon Thames College before building a career on the commercial side of sport. Jon’s strategic mindset has been central to Brentford’s reputation as one of the most forward‑thinking, data‑driven clubs in world football. The club’s innovative model – combining meticulous analytics with smart scouting – has helped identify undervalued talent and maximise player development.
Brentford’s rise this season has been one of the Premier League’s most compelling stories. Widely tipped for a relegation battle after the summer departure of key players – including Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa – and the loss of long‑serving manager Thomas Frank – the Bees have instead surged to the top half of table under newly promoted head coach Keith Andrews – outperforming clubs with far greater resources.
We look forward to welcoming Jon to speak about the business side of the beautiful game, what Brentford’s pioneering model means for young people aspiring to football‑related careers, and how statistics, technology and data‑driven decision-making will shape the future of the sport.
Come along to the Hammond Theatre at 1pm on Tuesday 10 February.
Food Bank
Please support our Feltham Food Bank Collection on Friday 13 February. They are particularly in need of meat soup, instant coffee, UHT milk and honey. Please bring your donations to the front of School from 8.15am. Thank you!
Two truths and a lie
Last week, the illustrious Mr Rigby was the teacher weaving a web of deceit for you. What were his claims?
- Mr Rigby once featured in a BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel ‘Persuasion’. His role was to fall out of a tree and ‘have his brow mopped’
- Mr Rigby represented Durham University at Ultimate Frisbee
- Mr Rigby sets the thermostat in the Third Year Head of Year Office so that it is one degree centigrade higher than the temperature in the rest of the school
So which was the lie? Mr Rigby is an athlete. This has never been in doubt. This means that OF COURSE he represented Durham University at Ultimate Frisbee. He is also a thespian. This means that, while the Third Year Blog has not seen his performance in the BBC adaptation of ‘Persuasion’, its power is legendary. Never has a brow so convincingly needed to be mopped. Never has a tree been so truly, emotionally, compellingly fallen out of. Of course, what this all means is that the thermostat in Mr Rigby’s office is not set a degree higher than the rest of the School, even though he tells the Third Year Blog that that would be something he would quite like. The Bursar runs a tight ship!
This week we have Mr Hooper, U14A Football coach, who is STILL determinedly wearing shorts despite the weather (obviously he is also wearing other clothes, not just shorts). It turns out that he is more willing to lie than he is willing to wear trousers.
These are his claims.
- Mr Hooper (Senor Tonelero?) has a Spanish A Level
- Mr Hooper is a Leeds United supporter
- Mr Hooper’s father won the Junior Wimbledon Tennis doubles championship
Which is the lie!
CONNECTION CORNER
A big shout out to everyone who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner and well done those of you who answered all the questions correctly. Merits go to all those who correctly guessed that the answers were all the first four colours of the rainbow – remember the song?! Merits go to Rishi V, Uzair SC and Kolawole A.
Another tricky one this week, have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection:
In the Harry Potter series, Professor Dolores Umbridge mainly wears which colour? Pink
On what surface do you play the game of bowls? Bowling green
Connection: The first four colours of the rainbow (red, yellow, pink, green)
