Welcome to the Third Year BLOG!
We’re back! It’s summer!
What a time to be alive.
The start of the summer term brings with it many things in Hampton life. All the lessons you missed having during the Easter holidays start up again! You can go on the fields during lunch and breaktime! There is the impending arrival of the Hampton ducks! The excitement (yes, the excitement!) of end of year exams is getting closer and closer! You can tell which classrooms get the full sun in the afternoon because they feel like greenhouses!
So much to look forward to.
In terms of the Third Year Blog, the start of term can often feel like a briefly fallow period. No one has been in School and, therefore, fewer achievements have been achieved. The sports teams have been preparing rather than playing (or, if they have been playing, the result may have made the players feel less keen to write a report about the experience…). School trips have been enjoyed, but not necessarily written about. There is a sense of the Third Year gathering themselves, ready for a burst of activity; preparing for a blossoming of the blog, if you will.
Having said that, there will not be a Third Year Blog next week because of the School’s First and Second XIs both being in the ESFA Cup final at Stoke City FC. Of course, what this means is that there will an absolute goldmine of writing about everything that has been going on for the next blog in a fortnight, right? Right? So, as always, please send any blog articles to Mr Green (tj.green@hamptonschool.org.uk).
This week we do have a report from the Classics trip to Sicily, an interview with one of the year’s A team cricketers, and an update on the Williams Cup with the results from the Interform Rugby from before the Easter holidays.
So, dig in. It may be a little short, but it is still sweet.
Heads of Year Message
It is important for all pupils to recognise the need for calmness and good behaviour in the coming weeks to allow for effective and diligent preparations for the end of year assessments. Whilst we are looking forward to taking a strong contingent of Third Year pupils on the trip to Stoke next Friday for the ESFA Cup Finals, we must stress the importance of exemplary behaviour on the coaches, in and around the stadium throughout that trip.
Third Year Assessments
Third Year assessments will take place from 18 -22 May (the week before half term). We ask all pupils to make a revision schedule and stick to it, and be prepared to trial new revision techniques this year whilst being alert to which methods facilitate the best engagement and recall for you. The Third Year is an excellent time to do this and lay strong foundations in study skills for the GCSE years. We have asked all Third Year subject teachers to stop setting homework (or to set targeted revision homework tasks only) from Monday 4 May. Pupils should use the homework time available to prepare diligently for the end of year assessments. Subject specific revision check lists will be available to view in the subject area on SharePoint.
Study Skills
We are looking forward to seeing many Third Year parents on Monday 27 April for our Study Skills Evening and we will send all of the presentations and materials delivered that evening separately to all Third Year parents after the event.
Mobile Phones
Thank you to parents for your support in helping your child navigate the new mobile phone policy put in place on 1 April by the government. Please do remind them that their phone must be safely locked away in their locker for the whole day and may not be retrieved before 4pm. We are grateful for your assistance in ensuring that your child has a suitable padlock for their locker to keep their valuables safe.
Co-Curricular
We encourage all Third Year pupils to keep up their attendance at lunchtime co-curricular clubs and activities throughout the summer term. It is a great time of year to get outside and/or try something new. A reminder of what is available is linked here.
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
Classics Trip to Sicily
During the Easter holidays, Second, Third and Fourth Year boys left to go to Sicily for a much-anticipated Classics trip. From a very early 2:45 am meeting at school we were bussed, bleary eyed, to Gatwick airport. Once landed we were arranged into our groups and then took a coach to the centre of Catania. There, the teacher allowed tired pupils to choose their own lunch through the small market stalls and takeaway restaurants.
We passed vendors selling seafood, local fruit, and even horse-meatballs! Most of the group decided to settle on a small pizza restaurant where we ordered takeaway boxes of Margherita and Diavola pizza to eat back at the square. After that, we were taken to the Roman amphitheatre with fascinating aquatic features and tunnels. We then walked over to the indoor Odeon theatre, which is a covered auditorium for watching plays.
On the second day we were told that the weather conditions on Mount Etna weren’t good so we couldn’t go. Instead, we spent the day in Taormina. We visited a theatre overlooking the ocean, and we walked up steep staircases to reach the top of a neighbouring hill, which had a great view of the sprawling town down below.
On the third day, we went up Mount Etna by cable car and rolled about in deep snow while learning about the mythology of Etna. Then, we went to the Villa Romana del Casale which is said to be a rich man’s house. We saw many handmade decorated mosaics depicting mythological scenes as well as everyday scenes such as gods fighting and people trading food in markets. One mosaic was as long as 64 meters.
On the fourth day, we went to Valley of the Temples and museum in Agrigento, which had temples of Concordia, Zeus, and Hercules. We walked around ancient ruins of statues with tombs of early Christians.
On the penultimate day, we went to Syracuse Archaeological Museum and park to the view the amphitheatre, which contained more tombs of Sicilian residents buried near the amphitheatre to enjoy themselves even after death. We then walked into the mysterious ear of Dionysus, which was said to be used to eavesdrop on prisoners plotting against Dionysus, the ancient Tyrant who enslaved the people of Athens.
Finally, we travelled back to London from Catania Airport to London Gatwick. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the trip which was culturally fascinating and completely immersive walking around ancient ruins while learning more of the myths and legends of ancient Sicily.
By Alexander B (3H)
Anyone for Cricket?
With the arrival of summer, it is the start of the cricket season. Last year, when in the Second Year, the cricket team won the National Cup final, so we thought it would be a good idea to catch up with one of the players (Ridhaan G (3H)) to talk about that victory and how they are approaching the season ahead. Below are his thoughts…
Third Year Blog: So, last year the team won the National Cup – can you recount what that felt like and what the day itself was like?
Ridhaan G: The day we won the National Cup was one to remember! It was an awesome feeling that I will not forget for a long time. After a lot of hard work and effort throughout the season and during the winter, winning that final game meant that it all paid off and it was definitely well deserved for all the boys in the team. A special moment was the final decisive catch sealing our victory and everyone rushing in in pure happiness to go and celebrate.
TTB: In contrast to that, the team lost the first match of the season – what went wrong?
RG: It is hard to say, but overall, it was due to our poor fielding. As a team filled with talented players, batting and bowling comes naturally, yet on the fielding side we were caught off guard. After many leaked runs and few dropped catches Merchant Taylors’ School put up a very high total for us to chase and in the end, it became too hard for us to achieve.
TTB: Can the team use that first defeat to spur them on this season?
RG: Yes, definitely! After our huge success last year, we needed to experience the feeling of losing, which is not great. However, we are going to come back stronger and now that we have things to work on, we will work to become the unbeatable team we can and should be.
TTB: How did winter training progress – is the team looking in good shape for the season ahead?
RG: Winter training was good; all the boys put lots of hard work into their individual games and as a team we are working to improve are fielding and tactical aspects of the game.
TTB: Does the team have any particular ambitions for this season?
RG: After an early loss, we want to be unbeaten for the rest of the season, winning all our Saturday fixtures and with that we should hopefully win the County Cup too!
Interform Rugby
Before Easter, the Interform Rugby competition was held. But, it is only now that we are able to share the results and the CRUCIAL Williams Cup points associated with them.
- 3J – 9pts
- 3D – 8pts
- 3E – 7pts
- 3G – 6pts
- 3B – 5pts
- 3F – 4pts
- 3C – 3pts
- 3H – 2pts
- 3A – 1pt
As you may remember from before Easter, each class was asked to offer their view on their performance in two words or less for the Interform Football. At the time, they did the same thing for the Rugby.
Let us see what they all said…
3A
‘Robbed points’
Seeing that they came last, one can only assume that they were ‘robbed’ of A LOT of points.
3C
‘Non applicable’
This seems like an unnecessarily harsh self assessment, though it also begs the question of just how poorly the two teams who came below them must have played.
3D
‘Absolutely spectacular’
It is wonderful to see such confidence and enthusiasm coursing through the metaphorical veins of this form, particularly as they came second.
3E
‘Expected worse’
Bearing in mind they only came one place behind the ‘absolutely spectacular’ 3D, it feels as if 3E may be underestimating their rugby-playing potential.
3F
‘Tries galore’
3F came 6th, so the Third Year Blog is guessing that the tries galore were the ones that 3F were conceding.
3G
‘Rigged’
As we all know, the cry of ‘rigged’ is the forlorn complaint of the sore loser. It feels as if 3G need to look at themselves rather than at the idea of dark forces choosing to manipulate the results of a south west London private School’s Interform rugby tournament.
3B, 3H, 3J
No comment from any of these Forms. There could be all sorts of reasons for this. The silent arrogance of the winners. The pained humiliation of those who performed less well. The Form Tutors who forgot to ask for their Form’s feedback. We will never know.
The Williams Cup
So, what does all this mean for the all-important overall points table? Let’s see…
1st – 3B – 62 pts
2nd – 3J – 60 pts
3rd – 3D – 56 pts
4th – 3G – 55 pts
5th – 3E – 45 pts
6th – 3F – 44 pts
7th – 3A – 33 pts
Joint 8th – 3C & 3H – 30 pts
It is close at the top and close at the bottom. Still so much to play for!
Talk!
From the deepening crisis in the Middle East and its shockwaves through global markets to President Trump’s unpredictable approach to international diplomacy, long-standing geopolitical norms are being shaken. To help make sense of this rapidly changing landscape, we are delighted to welcome Fraser Nelson for our final Talk! of the academic year in the Hammond Theatre at 1pm on Tuesday 28 April. There’s no need for Hamptonians to book, find out more here.
Two truths and a lie
This week, we have an extra special guest on the Third Year Blog – Mrs Griffiths, one of the School’s receptionists. Essentially, without her, the School would not operate. But, this does not prevent her from being willing to tell fibs for the benefit of the Third Year Blog. Here are her claims…
- Everyday, while working at the School, Mrs Griffiths does chair yoga exercises for at least 4 hours
- Mrs Griffiths studied Japanese for two years
- Mrs Griffiths became profoundly deaf on one side after being involved in an emergency landing in an aircraft while working as a member of the cabin crew
Which is the lie? Find out in a fortnight!
CONNECTION CORNER
Connection Corner is back with another challenging conundrum! Have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection:
