Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
Hampton is a school filled with young, vibrant, athletic young men. However, you wouldn’t know this from watching them walk around the School.
If you were in a hurry and trying to get from the English department to the Maths department at 9.36am on your average weekday, you would find yourself deeply frustrated.
Hordes of Hamptonians sway through the corridors, trying to find ever more circuitous possible routes to their next lessons, slowing their pace to match the slowest member of their group. The pace is slowed further by the (commendable) need to greet anyone they know coming in the other direction with an enthusiastically delivered hand-slapping greeting, which also tends to involve grinding to a halt.
The sensation can be similar to finding yourself caught behind a group of tourists on the underground as they attempt to navigate their way from the Bakerloo line platform to the Victoria line platform, except that you are marginally more worried by the amount of untied shoelaces and the dangerous possibilities they present.
Of course, this lack of progress is driven by circumstance.
While the average speed of a Hamptonian at 9.36am on a Thursday, for instance, is approximately 0.27 metres per second (yes, this is a scientific fact – I believe the Physics department have the details, and measure the data via smart tracking pads in the floor), if you take the same measurement in the corridors approaching the Dinner Hall at 12.36pm on the very same day, the average speed of a Hamptonian has risen to 2.63 metres per second (the drag effect of an untucked shirt has not been successfully measured, but the Third Year Blog can’t help but think that the speeds reached would be even higher if this was taken into account).
What could possibly drive this disparity? Who knows.
Of course, the very highest speeds accounted for in the school corridors have been measured in the Hammond Atrium when a pupil thinks there may not yet be a teacher on duty at the lunch queue by the big ‘No entry’ sign. At this point, all you see of a pupil is the flash of a lion on a blazer and their legs pumping, while still trying to give the impression that they are walking rather than running.
Conversely, the slowest speeds tend to be found soon after a fire drill amongst that special group of Hamptonians who haven’t realised that if they appear back in their class noticeably later than all the other pupils WHO HAVE COME FROM EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME, then it will be pretty obvious that they have not been as proactive in their return as they could have been.
In fairness to the young Lions there is plenty going on at the School, meaning that taking a little breather on the way between lessons is probably a reasonable approach. They certainly still manage to pack a lot into their days despite their occasionally glacial pace. And on that note, let’s see what they’ve all been getting up to this week…
Heads of Year Message
Well done to everyone for completing another action-packed week at School. We’re conscious that energy levels can dip in the final week of a long half term, so please make time for rest and proper sleep (without digital distractions) over the weekend – this will give you the best chance to maintain your standards and enjoy the week ahead.
Form Charity Mufti Day & Hampton Hygiene Bank Collection
Friday 16 October will be a mufti day at school with funds raised being donated to support our three Form Charity partners. If you are able, please support the Hampton Hygiene Bank collection on the same day. Items can be dropped off outside Reception between 8.15am and 8.45am. Please see the Form Charity email for details on which items can be donated.
Interform Competition
We are looking forward to the latest instalment of the Interform Competition next week. Thanks in advance to Miss Alexander for arranging the Third Year Interform Padlock Challenge taking place on the 3G on Thursday lunchtime.
Co-curricular Activities
The full range of co-curricular activities have been up and running for several weeks now. One of the targets we set for Third Year pupils is to “get involved” in many different aspects of School life, and one of the best ways to do this is through the various co-curricular opportunities. It is not too late to try a new club, and we would encourage everyone to do this at least once more before the half term break. Details and timings of all clubs and co-curricular activities can be found here: co-curricular area of SharePoint. There is also a daily notice email sent to pupils each evening via their school email account, so they can plan for activities the following day.
October Grade Cards
Parents will be able to access their son’s grade card from the end of the school day on Friday 16 October via the online Parent Portal. The link to this will also be sent to parents via SchoolPost that evening. Pupils should not worry unduly about their grade cards. We will only ever ask them to aim for “personal best”. Form Tutors will pick up on any academic concerns after the half term holiday, with the aim of offering support if required.
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.
Third Year pupils – 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 Roundup
Last Saturday, the U14Ds took on a very strong and physical Bradfield College side. Before the match, we had been warned that this would be one of our toughest tests yet, and Bradfield did not disappoint.
After a hard-fought opening few minutes, Jack W got the opener, giving Hampton a well-deserved lead. Soon after, Rafferty O’C doubled our lead, giving us a bit of breathing room after Bradfield had put us under pressure to equalise. However, after falling two behind, Bradfield fought back and made the scoreline 2-1. The rest of the first half was an evenly fought contest, and after pressure from both sides, the half time whistle blew, giving us a narrow lead to hang onto after the first half and hour.
In the second half, we began to control the game, putting Bradfield under sustained pressure, before finally being rewarded with our third goal by Thomas L. Bradfield College responded quickly, pulling another goal back to make the scoreline 3-2. Again, after constantly looking to get into good position, Yakub A extended our lead to make it 4-2. A few minutes later, Yakub A scored another goal, putting the game beyond their reach, this time a well-taken volley from inside the box to cleanly wrap up all our hard work in that game.
Bradfield College were definitely our toughest opponents so far, but this challenge will help us prepare us for the season ahead.
By Rayan A (3A)
Marvellous Music
There was some superb music on show in the Hammond Theatre this week. Take a look at just some of the highlights below and see if you can spot any Third Years:
Knitting Club
In my busy Hampton life, I always look forward to my Wednesday lunchtimes where I can take a break at Knitting Club. When I went for my first week of knitting to try it out, I was completely new to knitting and didn’t know what to expect. The helpful teachers chose a string and knitting needles from the colourful assortment on the table. They taught me the basics, and even though my first piece wasn’t the prettiest work and I messed up frequently, I still had fun with my friends.
I now go every week and plan to carry on doing so to improve my knitting skills and create more (less ugly) pieces. I think that even as a beginner, knitting is a great hobby to reduce stress, and very fun as well. I also hope to make some nice scarfs for Christmas this year!
By Eddie L (3C)
Finding My Focus
With multiple mid-term assessments coming up this week, the stress was definitely starting to build. Between trying to memorise Biology terms and working on English and French essays, my brain felt completely fried by Saturday afternoon. That’s when I decided to head out with my parents for an evening walk at Richmond Hill.
It’s amazing how just stepping outside can completely change your mood. There is something about nature that has this incredible power to re-energise everything it touches. It’s like the universe has its own way of hitting the reset button. Watching the deer graze and the parakeets settle into the trees, you realise that everything in the natural world just flows. It reminded me that we are all part of that same energy.
Taking that break to breathe in the fresh air and watch the sunset didn’t just help me relax—it actually gave me my focus back. I feel ready to tackle the week ahead. If you’re feeling the pressure of mid-terms, I highly recommend taking a walk outside. It really works!
By Ashutosh S (3A)
Take a look at these brilliant photos taken by Ashutosh:
Form Charity
Every year, the School supports three charities – one Local charity, one National and one International. In order to work out which charities to support, pupils and staff are invited to nominate charities they think would benefit from the support.
If your nominated charity is selected for the shortlist, then you present the reason for your nomination in assembly (or write a short speech for the Sixth Form Charity Committee to deliver on your behalf).
This year, Third Year Peter R-R (3C) has had his nomination shortlisted in the Local charity. He suggested MTV Youth Hampton.
Well done for getting involved, Peter! Good luck for Monday!
Two Truths and a Lie
Last week, Mr Green was our liar. This was what he told us:
- Mr Green has an irrational dislike of men wearing scarves indoors
- Mr Green will often get home from school, march straight out into his back garden and bounce on his children’s trampoline for 10 minutes, while listening to 4am Kru
- Mr Green’s favourite colour is green
Can any of this be true?
Well yes. That is the very nature of this feature…
Last year was in some ways a tough year for Mr Green. He was co-Tutor with the outstanding Dr Gallagher, who (sartorially elegant man that he is) was often to be found wearing a scarf indoors in the cooler months. For Mr Green, with his irrational (and, frankly, ridiculous) dislike of men wearing scarves indoors, this was undeniably a challenge. As if this was not undignified enough, when he gets home, it turns out that Mr Green does often bounce on his children’s trampoline for 10 minutes when he gets home after a day at Hampton. What this all means is that Mr Green’s favourite colour is not green.
This week, Mrs White, Third Year Tutor and Head of Russian, is our selected moral disgrace. Which of these offerings is the lie?
- Mrs White spent her childhood in Germany
- Mrs White’s favourite sport is figure skating
- While Mrs White LOVES ‘borshch’ (the traditional Russian beetroot soup), she has no idea how to cook it
Connection Corner
A big shout out to all the Third Year Hamptonians who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner. The correct connection was Sweets! Merits go to Ojas P, Tom C, William J, Lucas O’C, Armaan K, Jack W, Freddie F, Rayan A, Ashutosh S, Ryan A, Alec K, Arthur H, Theo G, Panshul B, Ediz Y, Oliver J, George PL, Oscar V-V and Dylan S.
Another tricky one this week, see if you can spot the connection:
In case you’re still perplexed, here are last week’s answers:
What is the name of the pub game where wooden balls are bowled at wooden pins? Skittles
The card game ‘21’ is more commonly called what in casinos? Blackjack
Which dessert is a mix of chopped fruit served in syrup? Fruit Salad
What is the common name for a leg of cooked chicken? Drumstick
Connection: Sweets
