Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
As you will all know, sleep is a deeply important thing. It is the eternal paradox of the Hampton pupil from about Third Year onwards that they are both constantly fatigued and yet they also have the determination to avoid going to bed at the point when their parents and their teachers would suggest/recommend/demand/beg of them.
Sleep has always been known to be important. As Shakespeare put it in Macbeth, sleep ‘knits up the raveled sleave (not a typo: a ‘sleave’ in this instance is a loose bundle of threads) of care’ and is the ‘balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast.’ I’m aware this is essentially exactly how you would have all described its benefits, so the Third Year Blog won’t elaborate further here, though it would like to draw the Third Year English pupil’s eye to the elegance of the way that that quotation has been embedded.
It is a scientific fact that, during the teenage years, your circadian rhythm shifts, meaning you naturally fall asleep later and wake up later than adults, but unfortunately society and the tyranny of 8.45am registration does not acknowledge this. What it means is that taking good care of yourself by ensuring that you get to bed at a good hour becomes even more important. The Third Year Blog cannot stress highly enough how important attempting to get the nine or so hours that is recommended is.
Having said all that, this weekend is Super Bowl weekend – the climax of the American Football season, with the Philadelphia Eagles (booooo) facing the Kansas City Chiefs (also, booooooo)! This is one of the greatest sporting moments of the year and should be appointment viewing. The only trouble is that the four hour or so extravaganza kicks off at 11.30pm on Sunday night…
American Football is a sensational sport. The structure of the game is entirely designed to deliver ongoing tension. The physicality, speed and skill of the players is breathtaking. The finances of the sport have been crafted to try to ensure parity year after year, making it possible for any team to find their way to the top of the tree if they are successfully managed (unless you are the New York Jets, it would seem). It is deeply ironic that a sport that is essentially at the pinnacle of capitalism (it would cost a company $7million to run one 30 second advertising spot during this weekend’s game), is run using what is essentially a structure based on socialist principles. This, though, is a discussion for another blog.
Best of all is the variety of player types the game can cater for. There are the Nose Tackles and the Offensive Linemen who play opposite them, who can all weigh up to 25 stone. There are the Wide Receivers, sprinting down the sidelines at a speed that could qualify for the 100m in the Olympics, chased by the Cornerbacks who are able to keep up with them. There are the Edge rushers, terrifying creatures 6ft 5inches tall, weighing 18 stone and able to run 40m in 4.5 seconds trying to attack the Quarterback who is calmly surveying the field in the 2.5 seconds they get before one of the Edge Rushers assaults them, before throwing it 60 yards downfield with pinpoint accuracy. There are even the kickers, some of whom wouldn’t look physically out of place in the Fifth Year at Hampton, who do nothing apart from try to kick a stationary ball through the posts at the most highly pressured moment of the match, rendering all of their physically incredible teammates’ efforts worthless if their technique and mental fortitude fails at the wrong moment.
While they are all different, all of them have remarkable skill and talent. When they work together and encourage each other to let these complementary talents shine, they are capable of sensational things and they look like they have a wonderful time doing it.
The sharper amongst you will have seen this analogy limping into view a few lines ago, but it is impossible not to be reminded of the Third Year at Hampton, particularly as they have been exemplified in their efforts so far this year. They themselves are a pretty varied bunch, with international swimmers, poets, photographers, footballers, darts players, rock stars (more on that in next week’s blog), rubik’s cube experts, rowers, chess players, cryptic crossworders, debaters and many more filling the Form rooms of the Year. They are both individually brilliant and more than than the sum of their parts, which is quite the trick, and they are only just about to reach the half way point in their year!
Anyway, enough puffery – let’s see what has actually been happening….
HEADS OF YEAR MESSAGE
Form Charity
The final day of half term (Friday 14 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, Shooting Star Hospice, Alzheimer’s Society and UNICEF.
Form Charity will also be running a donation collection for Feltham Food Bank on Friday 14 February. See more details below.
Interform Challenge
We’re looking forward to the three Interform Challenge events next week. On Thursday lunchtime, each Form will have 15 minutes to row as far as they can in relay – tactics and technique could matter as much as strength on this event. Please can we remind boys that they should go to lunch after competing in the Interform Rowing, not before! Then, throughout Thursday afternoon everyone will have the chance to compete in either the Interform Football or the Interform (touch) Rugby competitions.
Wellbeing Survey
On Thursday this week, we asked all Third Year pupils to answer a few questions related 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 son 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 your son’s absence. For absences other than illness e.g. if a pupil has a dental or medical appointment during School hours, notice of this should be given in advance. For planned absences, please contact Heads of Year requesting the absence with as much notice as possible.
Boys – Please let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you have any difficulties. Have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore
Football Update
Last week, the U14A Football squad took on Coombe Boys School in the third round of the County Cup. Jenson G took the time to let us know how they got on…
The game started and we didn’t start well. Early on, we conceded a sloppy goal and went 1-0 down. We played some decent football during the rest of the half but couldn’t create many chances. We were 1-0 down at half time, determined to try to turn the game around. Then in the second half Coombe scored early again as we lost the ball attempting to play out from the back and they finished their chance. The rest of the game we were starting to really come back into it, but we just struggled to threaten their goal.
Ultimately, Coombe scored another, making it 3-0 and making our job incredibly difficult. We did manage to get a goal back through Charlie L but it just wasn’t enough. The game finished 3-1 and, whilst we were very disappointed, we could be proud of our efforts in a loss against a strong team.
Report by Jenson G (3C)
ON the Water
This year, I have started rowing as my sports option, and I have absolutely loved it. I picked the rowing option at the end of the summer term of Second year as well, which gave me some good experience out on the water. There are five rowing sessions a week, from Tuesday through to Friday, and also Sunday. It has been a rocky start to the year, with the river being too fast for us to row on much of the time. Our first race, the Hampton Head, was cancelled due to river speed, and that was a huge shame. However, it is very nice when we do get to go out on the water, and I have enjoyed the land sessions as much as I was able to.
I have really liked getting to know new people through rowing and I have loved the competition with my closest competitors for the top ergo seat. I have loved getting to row in the top octo with some very talented rowers, and our coach, Mr Perry, has been super helpful and supportive throughout the year, as well as the other coaches that have been giving us tips and guidance. I have loved my start to rowing, and I hope for it to carry on in the same way. Our first race as a whole squad will be the Kingston head after half term, which we very much hope to win!
Report by Joe B (3B)
Interform Update
The Williams Cup is the official name for the Third Year Interform Cup. Many legends of the School have lifted it over the years and this year will be no different – the question is which form will find their way to it??
Next week will play a big part in deciding the ultimate victors, with the Interform Rowing challenge (one of the sweatiest events of the entire School calendar) as well as the Interform Football and Rugby competitions on Thursday. Also with details soon to be announced is the Interform Chess competition. There is much still to play for and so a reminder of the current table feels like it would be in order.
1st – 3D – 27pts
2nd – 3F – 25pts
3rd – 3A – 24 pts
4th – 3B – 23pts
5th – 3J – 20pts
6th – 3H – 19pts
7th – 3E – 17pts
8th – 3G – 15pts
9th – 3C – 14pts
Bugsy Malone
Less than a week to go to this year’s Junior Musical Bugsy Malone and tickets are selling like hot cakes!
Tickets can be booked here. Don’t miss out!
Food Bank Collection
Please support our Feltham Food Bank on Friday 14 February. They are particularly in need of instant coffee, sugar, vegetable noodles, tinned meat, fruit squash, dried lentils, chickpeas and kidney beans. Please bring your donations to the front of School from 8.15am. Thank you!
Two truths and a lie
Last week, we had Mr Leafe offering us four truths and just one lie, almost as if he was trying to outweigh his deceit with a barrage of truth. These were his claims:
- Once Mr Leafe met Harry Maguire at a black-tie function and strongly felt that at that moment they were essentially equals
- Mr Leafe has never eaten a yoghurt
- If Mr Leafe hears the phrase ‘sweet treats’ he physically shivers
- Mr Leafe used to be called Mr Leaf, but changed his name by deed poll as he felt his original name was ‘too common’
- Mr Leafe once won a head-to-head mascot race dressed as a duck, defeating a crocodile
Which was the lie?
Well, Mr Leafe did once meet Harry Maguire and had the strong sense that they were equals. Of course, this is still true in the sense that neither of them are likely to be playing for England at any point in the near future. While the Third Year Blog can’t vouch for Harry Maguire’s dairy intake, it is true that Mr Leafe has never eaten a yoghurt. He did also once win a mascot race dressed as a duck, beating a crocodile. What all this means is that he did not change his name by deed poll to Mr Leafe in order to sound less common. But, frankly who knows what is true and what isn’t in the magical world of Mr Leafe.
This week, Mr Zannetou is the teacher weaving a web of deceit for you. The Third Year Blog likes to think that all of these are true, but one is not…
- 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
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 to do with Christmas! Merits go to Sebastian W, Oscar S, Luke F, Gordon L, Benjamin J, Aayushmaan C, Alex G, Huw C, Marcus P, James G, Ishaan M, Danyal P, Oliver Y, Dean B, Armaan V, Liam C, Joe B, Daniel S, Shishir V, Leonard H, Joshua A and David W.
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 the answer’s to last week’s conundrum:
What is the capital city of Belgium? Brussels
Who presents This Morning alongside Stephen Mulhern? Holly Willoughby
In which country was the Ottoman Empire centered? Turkey
Which Northern Line station lies between King’s Cross and Old Street? Angel
Connection answer: All things to do with Christmas (brussels sprouts, holly, turkey, angel)
