Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
Yet another high-octane Hampton weekTM has flown by in the beautiful September sun.
But what, pray tell, have the Third Years been doing this week? Well, judging by what’s in the blog, quite a lot.
Of course there’s football (there’s ALWAYS football), but there is also croquet (which is, low key, an absolutely elite sport for a warm lunchtime), rowing and a report on a rugby experience at the Stoop.
Beyond sport, we have a report on an upcoming School drama production, the cut and thrust of Model United Nations, a review of an experimental jazz band and a first experience of playing Bridge at Bridge Club.
There is also the unparalleled drama of the results of the annual Williams Cup Interform Tug-of-War (though 3G tell the Third Year Blog that the result was largely decided by who remembered to bring the right shoes – of course, there is a lesson in that for everyone).
What have the staff been up to? Well, as far as the Third Year Blog is concerned, it is either staff debasing themselves by lying, or celebrating countless gold medals (or for one teacher, both) – read more below!
There really is something for everyone – so what are you waiting for? Get stuck in!
Heads of Year Message
Thank you to Third Year pupils for doing a fantastic job representing the school by giving tours and helping in departments on Open Morning on Saturday. We received plenty of lovely feedback from prospective parents who really appreciated your courtesy, honesty and enthusiasm. Can you spot yourself in the Open Morning video?
Thanks also to the many parents who have signed up to attend the Third Year Parents’ Pastoral Forum. We are looking forward to welcoming you on Monday evening – arrivals from 6.15pm.
Stay in touch
We remind Third Year pupils on a weekly basis of the opportunities they have to come and meet with us. They are always welcome to pop along to our office for a chat, with a question or for some advice, but in particular we guarantee that one of us will be in the Third Year office at the following morning break times (10.55am):
Thursday – “Open door” drop-in session.
Friday – Merit signing for both Academic and LION merits – edible prizes are available!
Parents, please feel free to contact your son’s Form Tutor(s) by email or to arrange a phone conversation if there is anything you need to relay or discuss. Similarly, if there are any comments or concerns you have at this stage of the term that you would like to raise with us, please do contact us both by email and we can arrange to speak as required.
Uniform
As we are starting to experience more autumnal weather, a reminder that pupils are allowed to wear sensible hats, coats and gloves to keep warm on their journeys to and from school, but they must revert to full school uniform throughout the school day whilst on site. This means they must wear a school tie (properly tied) and school blazer, with a white shirt (tucked in and buttoned up), dark trousers, dark socks and smart black shoes (non-trainers). If they are cold, it is permissible to wear a vest under the shirt and/or a dark V-neck jumper. Coats should not be worn in school. Persistent failure to meet these uniform requirements is a conduct issue.
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.
Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore
Jiu Jitsu National Masters
Last week, Third Year Form Tutor and Classics teacher Mr Berezhnoi won triple gold at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Masters tournament. He won both the ‘gi’ and ‘no-gi’ disciplines at his own weight category and then won the ‘absolute’ category where the winners of the different weight categories compete against each other.
Obviously, this is a sensational effort – please congratulate him if you see him!
ON to ESFA round two!
Last week, the U14A team played in the first round of the ESFA Cup (English Schools’ Football Association). Before the match we went into the tactics room where we discussed corners, freekicks, positions and more. Later, we got our boots on and started to do a light warm-up. We still had an hour to spare because our match kicked off at 4:15.
As people walking past for the end of the school day, they cheered us on to win our match, we began our team talk and last stretches. Once the match started, we played our hardest, winning every tackle and every fifty-fifty. We had a lot more possession and lots more chances. Our hopes were high. Finally after our 20 minutes of pushing hard, we scored from a set piece. We had many more chances throughout the first half but didn’t score. At half time it was 1-0 to Hampton.
As the second half started, after our team talk at half time, we walked on confident that we can easily win. We kept the same team as the starting XI. The score stayed the same after a couple of minutes until we quickly bagged a goal. Then two goals went into their net. We made some substitutions. After, we dominated, it felt like the ball was never in our half and scored two more goals.
We could have scored more if the final whistle hadn’t blown! It was a good first round of ESFA: 6-0 to Hampton.
Scorers: Peter R-R (2), Kyle O (2), Hugo H (2)
Anyone for Croquet?
As a new joiner to Hampton, I was astonished not only by the amount of people, classes, friendships, but by the massive quantity of lunchtime clubs!
I have been trying out many recently, but one of my favourites is Croquet Club. Having played it many times before, it does not disappoint. For those who don’t know, croquet is a game played on a lawn (normally), and you have these large wooden mallets, which you have to use to hit these heavy, different coloured balls through metal hoops. Once you have hit the ball through all the hoops, you have to hit the pole in the middle to win.
It is a really fun and strategic game. For example, if you and your opponent are near the hoop, you can either decide to hit the ball through the hoop, and get and extra shot, or choose to hit your opponent’s ball, and get two extra shots. However, if you miss, your opponent could very easily hit your ball and get ahead of you into a winning position. These are the kind of decisions you need to make to win the game. It is also really fun if you hit your opponent’s ball! Not only does it give you the two extra shots, but you can also choose to whack their ball onto the next playing field!
Overall, I found it an extremely fun club. Also, the teacher who runs it (Mrs Nicholson) really puts in the effort to keep the club running! I highly recommend this club if you are now to the game, or even if you have played it before, and now is the perfect time to join while the weather holds!
By Oscar V-V (3H)
King Arthur Drama Production
This year’s Senior Drama Production of the famous King Arthur is a little different than you might think.
You will not meet gallant knights here to save the day, but an unexpected calamity of dysfunctional mishaps resulting in uproarious events. I am very lucky to get an opportunity to do this production and, after rehearsing for a couple of weeks, I can say that this remarkable play is going to be brilliant.
Scenes filled with energy, comedy and surprises await – it feels as if this production is designed to justify the School tagline of “Seriously Excellent; Seriously Fun!”. Beyond enjoying working on the production itself, I am thoroughly enjoying learning from the Sixth Formers, who seamlessly and brilliantly showcase their acting abilities.
By Ashutosh S (3A)
Third Years on the Water
Rowing is by far the best sport available at Hampton. With a massive joint Hampton-LEH boathouse situated on one of the nicest banks of the Thames, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday give way to some amazing water sessions for J14’s (the Third Year age group).
With excellent coaches like Mr Perry and Mr Greenaway, these sessions are a great chance to get a taster of rowing and a feel of the river Thames. We even get some great views rowing towards the sunset on Wednesday afternoon.
If you’re looking for strength training, water sports or just hoping to experience a new thing, rowing is the sport for you.
By Tim M (3A)
Model United Nations
I have been going to Model United Nations (MUN) for a few years now and I truly think you won’t understand the feeling until you experience the club to its full potential. Once you join the MUN community you will not look back because frankly, I love it for two primary reasons: the enjoyment of disagreement and the teachers.
Personally, I like to speak my mind and sometimes I get to speak some radical ideas because it fits the agenda of the country I am representing. The second reason is because Miss Field and Miss Havord make this club truly something different because they organise silly arguments and make the whole club possible. For example, we once did a topic on sheep wanting more food. Oh, the laughter!
I would recommend it because it teaches geo-politics, listening to the argument and communication among your peers in your delegation. Yet, all of these reasons I listed aren’t the whole picture. I think that the community is a perfect model of a Hampton community. There is joy, interest and desire to learn and develop.
I will never forget going to my first club and getting to know it. It does take a while to learn about the club, but once you are part of the community, you would never like to leave. This club, more than anything introduced me into the most magnificent people you will ever know and that I am sure I will keep contact with way after my Hampton career is over.
By Philip V (3C)
Bridge Club
On Wednesday I went to Bridge Club and learnt how to play mini-Bridge. I went with Ishaan and Nicholas, and it was very fun. I also learnt a that bridge is a really strategic game and has a lot of skill involved as well as a little luck.
I was on a team with a Sixth former (Bridge is played with four people) playing against Ishaan and Nicholas. Fortunately, my team mate was an excellent player – it was very fun having him as my teammate, because we won a lot!
I would definitely recommend going to Bridge Club if you are into card games or want to try out something new. I went there knowing nothing about bridge and still had a lot of fun and will now be looking to go every week on Wednesdays.
By Zachary H (3F)
Williams Cup – Tug-of-War
Last Friday saw the annual Third Year Tug-of-War competition.
A great time was had by all. This is all well and good, but WHO WON?
And what does it mean for the overall standings in the Williams Cup? The answers to these questions are here…
Firstly, the Tug-of-War results…
1st – 3D (30pts) – 9pts
2nd – 3J (21pts) – 8pts
3rd – 3A (20pts) – 7pts
4th – 3E (18pts) – 6pts
Joint 5th – 3F & 3H (15pts) – 5pts
7th – 3B (11pts) – 3pts
Joint 8th – 3G & 3C (0pts) – 2pts
And what does this mean for the overall Williams Cup standings?
Joint 1st – 3A & 3J – 14pts
Joint 3rd – 3B, 3E & 3G – 11pts
6th – 3D – 10pts
7th – 3H – 9pts
8th – 3F – 7pts
9th – 3C – 5pts
It is very tight at the top and there are an awful lot more points to play for!
As a side note, it is noticeable that 3G won the Teambuilding and then came last in the Tug-of-War, while conversely 3D won the Tug-of-War but came last in Teambuilding.
Does this mean Tug-of-War is inherently an individual sport despite all indications to the contrary? Or did 3G build their team so successfully at Teambuilding Day that complacency then set in? Did the seeming failure of 3D to build their team at teambuilding day actually bring them together? We will never know.
Harlequins v Edinburgh
On Friday night, Harlequins faced Edinburgh Rugby at Twickenham Stoop. Edinburgh put up a strong fight in the early stages of the match and struck first from a rolling maul. Quins didn’t stay down for long, however, and were up 19 – 7 into halftime.
After halftime, new signing, winger Edward Sigauke scored twice. The first try, I would argue, was more about what the other team did wrong than what he did right; however, the second try made me feel ashamed to have legs and made two Edinburgh players taste the delicious Stoop dirt.
The game ended with a 33 – 19 win to Quins.
By Jonathan G (3A)
The Band That’s Exposing the Joy of Jazz to Youth
Ezra Collective – a band that play with spirit, passion and hope.
Their style of music offers an atypical jazz – it is not the jazz you think of when you hear the word ‘jazz’; they fill it with Afrobeat, hip-hop, reggae, soul, and funk. With a saxophone, trumpet, bass guitar, keyboard/piano, and drum kit (played by Femi Koleoso – highly recommend watching clips of him and his solos), their music releases you from limits and makes you feel free through music. They pride themselves on their reputation of being described as a band full of ‘joy’.
I was lucky enough to see them in concert, and it really showed how you don’t need to even know the songs to still enjoy it all. I would highly recommend taking just a few minutes (even if it is whilst you do something at the same time) to listen to their songs. These are songs I recommend: ‘No One’s Watching Me’, ‘God Gave me Feet for Dancing’, ‘Well Organised, ‘Blow your Trumpet’ or ‘Jubilee Feeling’.
By Lucas F (3E)
Two truths and a lie
Last week Mr Berezhnoi demeaned his own honour by telling us an untruth.
- Mr Berezhnoi previously worked on a farm
- Mr Berezhnoi is utterly, UTTERLY terrified of volcanoes
- Mr Berezhnoi is a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu
Which one was the lie?
Actually, as it turns out, the Third Year Blog has lied to you as well as Mr Berezhnoi, here.
Mr Berezhnoi HAS previously worked on a farm. In truth, the Third Year Blog doesn’t know if he was working on a farm in a ‘milking the cows’ kind of way, or if he was the Farm’s resident classics expert – either way, the truth is that he worked on a Farm.
He WAS a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu – but, since the Third Year Blog had spoken to Mr Berezhnoi, he had actually progressed to purple belt, meaning that this was now actually also a lie… Regardless of this, make sure that, if he sets you homework, it is done on time. What this all means is that he isn’t terrified of volcanoes – we know this because it turns out he has previously climbed Mount Etna in Sicily, which is not the undertaking of a man scared of volcanoes.
This week, Two truths and a lie has the honour and privilege of welcoming the (normally trustworthy) Miss Alexander into the lying booth to lie.
These are her claims:
- Miss Alexander has a love of shoes and at the moment has a modest collection of only 75 pairs
- Miss Alexander has a love of travel and visited all seven continents
- Miss Alexander has a love of rugby but sadly her only experience of international rugby was watching England lose to South Africa in the 2019 World Cup Final
Which is the lie? Is the Third Year Blog also lying to you? Who can you trust? Find out the answers to all these questions next week. Or is that claim also a lie? Who knows? Is anything real anymore? WHO KNOWS?
Connection Corner
A big shout out to all the Third Year Hamptonians who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner and well done those of you who answered all the questions correctly and guessed the connection as Ice Creams! Merits go to Sanardhan K, William, Tim M, Rayan A, Logan K, Lucas O’C, Kaarthikan M, Ojas P, Dylan S, Alec K, Joshin F, Diego C-G, Armaan K, Frankie D, Ansh R, Ashutosh S, Smyan M, Ralph L, Oscar V V, Ediz G, William J, Kamran C and Physics teacher Mrs Reilly!
Another tricky one this week, see if you can spot the connection:
What was the name of the famous 80s TV detective played by Tom Selleck? Magnum PI
The Beatles were collectively known by what famous phrase? The Fab Four
What word do Americans commonly use to describe tornados? Twisters
What is the word for a large meal that is typically a celebratory one? Feast
Connection: Ice Creams (Magnum, Fab, Twister, Feast)
