Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
The Third Year Blog is a great believer in the power of optimism and positivity. There are studies that support the potential impact of an optimistic mindset on your health, your ambition, your success and your happiness (the Third Year Blog is very aware that we are being very evasive in terms of actually being specific about these ‘studies’, but if it works for the leader of the greatest democracy on Earth, maybe we can get away with it? Of course, that in itself is merely a tiny example of the damaging impact of a lack of leadership on a global scale can have on the potential abuses of trust that can be offered by anyone in power – yes, you could argue that even this blog has a power of sorts due to it being graced with the name of the School, thereby lending our nonsense a level of credibility and authority). But all of this is not what we wanted to talk about at all – we are talking about optimism and positivity, so let’s return to that and then, maybe, just maybe, we might find ourselves getting as far as talking about what the wonderful Third Year have actually been getting up to.
So, optimism and positivity – good things. Even the naming of the School terms reflects this. We are currently in the spring term, which makes the Third Year Blog think of daffodils, gently warming pale sunlight and an underlying sense of hope as we grow towards summer. Of course, the reality of the spring term is very often biting winds, waterlogged sports pitches and steamed up classroom windows with the small circular mark of soon-to-be-confiscated tennis balls dotted across them, but somehow if it was called winter term, it would make this potential reality marginally more grim. The choice to name this particular period of the school year ‘spring’ is an instance of the lightness that positivity can bring, even if the difference is unmeasurable.
On a much more serious note, the idea of positivity and optimism came to mind during the School’s marking of Holocaust Memorial Day, with Mr Lawrence speaking powerfully during our assembly on Monday and with it being the focus of the PSHE lesson later in the week. While it may seem counterintuitive to be thinking of positivity and optimism in the face of remembering the inhuman horror of what happened 80 or so years ago, the idea was prompted by one of the quotes that Mr Lawrence shared with us: ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’. Of course, this serves as a warning, but it also serves as a reminder of the power that ‘good men’ do have.
Fundamentally, it is about the belief that if ‘good men’ do take action, then evil won’t triumph – the Third Year Blog feels that that is something to be optimistic and positive about. It is also something to take into your everyday life, with the positive and optimistic idea that if you are able to be ‘good’, then that can have a knock-on effect on the people around you, whether that is your family, your friends, your classmates, your teachers or even the people you share a community with. We all have a responsibility to each other and to those around us and the (admittedly vague) idea that if we take that responsibility seriously it can have a powerful impact is the sort of thing that makes the Third Year blog feel optimistic about what we’re all doing here.
Now, what ARE we actually all doing here? Luckily, the Third Year Blog is here to tell you (at least in relation to Hampton Third Years)…
Heads of year Message
It is the time of year when fatigue and the short daylight hours can take their toll, so we always try to emphasise to the boys the importance of keeping going until the half term holiday, both in terms of their efforts in lessons and striving for personal best whilst supporting each other with kindness across all school activities. As such, we were very pleased to hear from Mrs Williams (Head of Art) that Third Year pupils were interested, proactively engaged, and well behaved on the two Art trips that took place on Monday and Tuesday this week. However, we still feel that some Third Year pupils are not making the most of the range of lunchtime clubs on offer and we would like to re-emphasise that all pupils should aim to regularly attend at least one weekly lunchtime co-curricular activity, above and beyond any Sports team practises. Pupils have recently started to receive a daily notices email (to their School account) with details of all the co-curricular activities happening the following day. Form Tutors remind their tutees about these at morning registration and there are further reminders on the digital displays around school. Pupils can view the full range of activities via SharePoint here. This is a great time of year to make the most of the amazing opportunities on offer!
We hope that parents found the appointments at Parents’ Evening instructive and reassuring. If you would like to follow up on a pastoral matter, please contact your son’s Form Tutors and/or us by email in the first instance.
DASH and Lucid testing
We have written separately to all Third Year parents about this today. DASH and Lucid testing will take place next week. These tests are nothing to worry about – pupils cannot and should not attempt to revise for them. There is no pass or fail, and the tests will not affect grade cards. The DASH tests will take place during Form Period on Thursday 5 February, whilst Lucid testing will occur during period 3 on Monday 2 February – pupils should bring headphones to use with their school laptops for this.
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
The Kindertransport project
Hampton’s commitment to raising awareness of genocide is one of the most impressive and important things that it does as a School in the opinion of the Third Year Blog. Here are a few articles about what the Genocide Awareness group have been doing from David T and Asher C.
Our project seeks to raise awareness about the Kindertransport – this was when 10,000 Jewish children were rescued from Nazi-controlled territory between 1938 and 1939. Recent research has shown that 75% of young people do not know about the Kindertransport, and as the surviving Kinder grow old and pass away, it is vital to record their experiences and not let their hardships be forgotten.
In our project so far, we contacted the Kinder themselves, or their close family to gain insights into their life, which we then compiled into a large booklet containing their personal experiences. This was sent to Buckingham Palace, where the King read through the booklet and replied to us with a letter of congratulations and praise. As well as this, we spoke in a conference in Central London to further raise awareness about the Kindertransport.
Our plan now is to collate all of our information into a spreadsheet to spread awareness more effectively and we hope to host this year’s Kindertransport anniversary at Hampton School along with an exhibition. On top of this, our group will be writing a book aimed at teenagers and young people to further help increase awareness of the Kindertransport.
By David T (3E)
Since the start of the year, I alongside David, Francisco, Ben, and Elliot have been trying to raise awareness about an important rescue mission just before the Second World War known as the ‘Kindertransport.’ Between 1938 and 1939, around 10,000 Jewish children were sent from Nazi-controlled areas to safety in Britain. Many of these children travelled alone, leaving behind their families, most of whom they never saw again.
During my time on the project, I have had the great privilege of meeting Dr Amy Williams, an expert on the Kindertransport, and on the Hampton School website you can watch our interview. Later, on the 18 November, we took part in the Remembering & Rethinking Conference organised by the AJR. After our presentation, I had the opportunity to answer a question from a lady, 95 years young, named Ruth. She had asked how I thought a child on the Kindertransport may have felt, to which I replied: “Of course I lack the first-hand experience in order to answer your question but I would expect that a child would have been terrified of being separated from their parents and that it must of caused them greater pain to eventually find out their parents wouldn’t be following however, they would also be filled with gratitude for those involved in saving them.” Once I had finished, she revealed she travelled on the Kindertransport and that my ideas where absolutely correct for her. After the conference, she spoke to my fellow Hamptonians and I about her abusive foster home; it was eye-opening to hear that not all children who travelled here were given the safety they were promised.
At the end of November, we were honoured to welcome Kurt Marx, one hundred years young, to our school. Kurt shared memories of his early life in Cologne, where his parents tried to shield him from the rising tide of antisemitism. That fragile sense of security was shattered on 9 November 1938, when he witnessed the horrors of the November Pogrom (Kristallnacht) first-hand. In January 1939, Kurt said farewell to his parents, with the promise that they would soon reunite in England. Tragically, both were murdered by the Nazi regime in the Holocaust in 1942 simply because they were Jewish. After the assembly, we headed to the headmaster’s study to present Kurt with a copy of the Jawne School Kindertransport list. It was the first time he had seen the document that recorded all the children who accompanied him on his journey to England 87 years ago.
By Asher C (3E)
Holocaust Memorial Day
Earlier this week, was Holocaust Memorial Day – a time to reflect on the horrors of what happened to the Jewish people during WWII. The Holocaust was one of the most unimaginable crimes in human history, resulting in the massacre of around six million Jews.
The cause lays within the hatred and prejudice shown towards the Jewish community, something which Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party used as propaganda to delude Germans in the aftermath of WW1. By 1942, the Nazis had planned something called ‘the Final Solution’. This saw Jewish people gassed in large numbers at concentration camps. It was a deliberate act of genocide, an attempt to eradicate an entire population. However, the Nazis did not stop there. They also murdered a quarter of a million people with mental and physical disabilities and had members of the homosexual community imprisoned.
Last, but not least, the main purpose behind the Holocaust Memorial Day is to say loud and clear, that antisemitism [or any sorts of discrimination] will not be tolerated.
‘‘Never Again.’’
By Riyaan G (3E)
U14A Badminton
The Hampton U14A Badminton team qualified for the next round of the National Schools’ Championships on Tuesday after winning the Borough tournament of the Middlesex Championships. Ayansh G, Dillon G, Aiden W William H and Dushyant P were the players in the squad. They did an excellent job and were unbeaten the whole day.
The team started well with a 5-0 win against The John Lyon School. The final score was easy to see, but the first singles match was really tough, in which Ayansh G won an important point to win his game 15-14. Hampton then won 4-1 against Whitefriars, with some quick wins. They also had a game against Stepney All Saints winning 3-2. The Hampton team finished at the top of their group. They did an excellent job and were playing well.
The team did a job of switching roles during the games. Ayansh G and Dillon G played the singles matches. When it came to doubles Ayansh G played with William H, and also with Aiden W. Dillon G teamed up with Dushyant P. Dushyant P and Aiden W also played together for a few games. This way the team made sure that everyone got to contribute to the points. The team really worked well together.
In the semi-final Hampton played against Heartlands High School and they won after some tough games. Dillon G played a crucial match and sealed the victory. This meant Hampton could play in the final against Isleworth & Syon who are their local rivals.The final was a tough match because both teams were playing very well. Hampton managed a decisive victory after Aiden W and Ayansh G played the deciding game. So, Hampton won the match with a score of 3-2, against Isleworth & Syon school.
After this win, the U14A team has qualified for the Middlesex County Round, set to take place later this term. The team will now face the other borough winners from around the county.
By Ayansh G (3D)
Awesome Art
On Monday 26 January, the coach was buzzing with excitement as we began the short journey to Strawberry Hill House, the residence of Horace Walpole, the writer of The Castle Of Otranto. Upon arrival, my group had a creative writing and gothic meaning workshop, and we created a gothic text based off Walpole’s book, then we entered the round room (pictured below) where Dush, Wilf and I created a comic using ipads, photography, and props. We enjoyed a quick break, before venturing back into the world of Strawberry Hill House, with the tour. We visited all of the rooms, and even listened to extracts from The Castle of Otranto.
By George C (3E)
Intermediate Maths Challenge
On 28 January, some pupils and I sat the Intermediate Maths Challenge. This was a challenging set of 25 problem-solving, multiple-choice questions, that challenged us to think and lasted for the duration of one hour. Questions 1-15 were worth 5 points, whilst questions 16-25 were worth 6 points. However, the latter were negatively marked if the answer was wrong. Awards include Bronze, Silver, Gold, and if your score is high enough, you qualify for the next round, which is known as the Kangaroo, and the highest qualification, Olympiad.
Overall, I believe it was a creative, fun way to challenge our thinking, and an experience which I would like to partake in during Fourth and Fifth Year.
By Uzair SC (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.
Two truths and a lie
Last 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
So, which is the lie?
Well, it turns out that Mr Zannetou did work as a security guard for 90s pop idol Peter Andre, presumably working hard to keep ‘mysterious girls’ away from him. He did also race cars. He is not affiliated with the Mozambican national football team. This is not a real surprise as it would be impossible to cope with that commitment whilst also overseeing the U13E team – one man can only offer so much of himself to the furthering of the game of football.
This week we have Third Year royalty on hand to lie for us. Yes. It is Mr Rigby. Below are 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
Which was the lie? We will find out next week!
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 connected to New York! Merits go to Liangxu Z, Uzair SC, Toby B, Kolawole A, Naivedya A, Reuben N, Aaron J, Charlie F, Jonathan T, Kahan M, Rayyan S, Callan B, Rishi V, Justin K, George W and Henry S.
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:
