WELCOME TO THE FIRST YEAR BLOG!
The birds are singing again in the morning and Hampton First Years are bouncing into School with a spring (excuse the pun) in their step. It was so good to see so many of you helping with the Offer Holders’ Events this week. Thank you for being so welcoming and helpful to the boys who will hopefully join First Year next September.
Next week we have the Charity Quiz to look forward to – every Form is sending a team on Tuesday to LEH so do spend some time over the weekend honing your general knowledge, if you’re involved. It is a fun and sociable event and a great way to raise funds too.
In this week’s blog we have some interesting half term reports and it’s good to read such positive feedback about being part of a drama production. Do consider getting involved with the next one either as a performer or pull on a black T-shirt and help out backstage.
I am back as editor after a short break and welcome you to my Blog Club on Tuesdays at 12.40pm in F67. It’s a good opportunity to develop your journalistic skills and there are Lion Merits and a sweet treat for anyone who comes along too.
Have a good weekend – it’s going to be sunny!
PROJECT EXPLORE LAUNCH
Project Explore is an exciting opportunity for all First Year pupils to get involved in! You should visit a local site that you are interested in, tell your Form Tutors about your visit, and with some inspiration from your visit, get busy and produce your own project! There are no guidelines on what you can make: you could choose to write a poem, cook a meal, make a piece of art, record and edit a film, or any other creative piece you can come up with. The deadline for Project Explore is Monday 28 April – just after the start of the summer term. I know all Form Tutors are looking forward to hearing about your visits and projects, so make sure you tell them all about it!
Mr Hill and Mr Fuldner have recorded this video to explain everything in more detail. All First Year parents will also be sent an email in SchoolPost with a more information.
Reflections on Bugsy Malone
Bugsy Malone was an exciting adventure from start to finish. The auditions were tough, but I knew that if I worked hard enough, I would make it. So, I practised a lot and succeeded. The play was funny all along but the funniest according to me was when characters got splurged (with shaving cream!), including myself. It was hilarious to watch as they dramatically fell in exaggerated deaths.
People live and breathe their character; I lived and died, in the first scene, as Roxy Robinson. We worked hard and went to lots of rehearsals. By the end, I realised I had gained many benefits including making new friends and significantly improving my acting and singing skills. I also enjoyed interacting more with the teachers such as Mrs Jones, Mr Ferrier and others in the Music Department, who supported us every step of the way through the musical.
Overall, the experience was fantastic. I highly recommend participating in a Hampton play as well—you will enjoy it!
By Ojas P (1P)
Take a look at some of the photos from Bugsy Malone here.
Half Term Fun
Centre Parcs Holiday
Last week was our half term and many people had exciting adventures. While my classmates had exhilarating adventures, I had a holiday of my own. I went to Centre Parcs! One of the most enjoyable places you can go to (in my opinion). My cousins and I had a thrilling time there. From the water parks to the mystery solving problems, I relished in every single bit of my time. One of my enchanting experiences was the bike races. We rented bikes and I came first (obviously!), and won a prize: tickets to watch Australia and England play a cricket match. Yes! The second top experience was the water park. There were a lot of stupendous water slides, and it was one of my best memories. Overall, I really enjoyed going to Centre Parcs.
By Moksha K (1B)
Six Nations
On Sunday 23 February, I was lucky enough to go and see France vs Italy at Stadio Olympico in Rome. The stadium itself was really impressive with mosaics on the way in; from the open roof you can see the distant tree tops. For the match I was expecting a very high scoring game as both sides have strong attacks with very talented players (including Louis Lynagh, who used to go to Hampton School, but was unfortunately injured) but I did still think France were going to be too good for a young and newly improving Italy side.
When I first entered stadium, I saw the players warm up which soon turned into the two teams singing their national anthems. After that the referee’s whistle blew signalling the start of the game which did not disappoint with a very quick start. France got the first try but it was controversially disallowed which led to Italy getting the first try! Despite this, France came back and the first half finished 35-17 to France. Italy just needed to get the next try to get back in the game, but I am sorry to say that didn’t quite happen. From the get-go, France had attacking finesse and scored over and over again.
Italy managed to get one back but this was quickly followed up by France scoring. The final score was France 73-Italy 24. Despite the big difference, this was an amazing game to watch and a Six Nations record holder for most tries in a single game!
By Luke B (1J)
Club of the Week
Symphony Orchestra
Every Monday, I have the pleasure of playing in the exciting rehearsals of the Symphony Orchestra. I have thoroughly enjoyed going to the rehearsals especially playing the exhilarating pieces from the fast tempo to thrilling dynamics.
When we all collaborate, the orchestra sounds amazing like a professional orchestra, from the royalty and booming notes of the brass section to the delicate harmonies from the flutes and violins. We are currently playing a very stimulating repertoire including the Juba Dance by Florence Price, the enchanting Kabalevsky Second movement and lastly a Trombone Concerto by Grondahl. I look forward to performing them in the next few concerts.
By Rahul P (1B)
Talk!
There are two more Talk! events to to look forward to this term, the first one takes place next Thursday 6 March when we welcome our very own Mr Cross, History teacher extraordinaire and Gold medal Olympian! Find out more here.
No need to book, just come along to the Hammond Theatre on Thursday 6 March at 1pm.
TUTEE OF THE WEEK
Every week, the First Year Tutor team nominate a boy who they have been particularly impressed with and Mr Hill and Mr Fuldner present him with a certificate and a tasty treat to eat!
Congratulations to Tom G (1H) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week.
Tom is always kind and helpful without expecting anything in return – well done Tom!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school and to celebrate your successes in the First Year Blog! Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Mrs Whitwam (v.whitwam@hamptonschool.org.uk).
THE HAMPTON HUNT
Each week I will set you a challenge where you need to find out a random fact, number or indeed anything else around the School – you won’t be able to do this from home! Points for the interform competition will be awarded to the Form with the most correct entries over the course of the term! You have until the end of Wednesday to complete the challenge; you will find out in next week’s blog if you’re correct, and you will be given a merit by your Form Tutor the following Monday. And who knows – you might get to know the School better in the process!
This week’s challenge:
ON WHICH HOUSE NUMBER AT LEBANON PARK DID THE CHILDREN RESCUED BY THE KINDERTRANSPORT LIVE?
