Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
The start of a new term is always initially a slightly odd time, as teachers and pupils shake the dust off from a few weeks off. Of course, the reality here is that after the initial shock of getting out of bed when the hour is a single digit for the first time in weeks wears off, energy levels rise and the roller coaster that is the Hampton week kicks back in.
It is hard to be tired when you’ve got so much stuff to do and it has been brilliant to see the boys all throwing themselves into their lessons and clubs. This is particularly true for the pupils who have been braving the elements this week during their lunchtime training sessions with the alternating experience of either essentially being in a cold shower or a freezer (or both) – it’s been an inspiring sight to see them all out there, though not as inspiring as watching Mr Hooper who has been running his sessions in his shorts despite the bitter cold. One doesn’t necessarily expect to find adherence to Hellenistic philosophical principles in a school P.E. department, but we are at Hampton after all, and Mr Hooper could certainly be described as a Stoic in this sense.
As a side note, investigating the beliefs of the Stoics, the Third Year B log stumbled across the Stoic belief that the Universe is a ‘material reasoning substance’ which was divided into two classes: the active and the passive (the Third Year Blog cannot confirm whether Mr Hooper’s adherence to Stoic philosophy stretches this far, or whether he just likes wearing shorts in brutal weather).
The passive substance is matter, which, according to Seneca’s Epistles ‘lies sluggish, a substance ready for any use, but sure to remain unemployed if no one sets it in motion.’ Anyone who has seen the Third Year pupils in their first morning registration back after the Christmas holidays will feel that this is a passive substance they might recognise. One might also argue that the absence of a Third Year blog in the first week of term may suggest a similar element within certain parts of the teaching staff.
The active substance is an ‘intelligent aether or primordial fire’, which acts on the passive matter. The blog hesitates to say that the staff are that ‘primordial fire’ acting on the passive matter (indeed, it seems more likely that the role of the ‘primordial fire’ may well be played by the sausage casserole available at lunch), but wherever that ‘intelligent aether’ comes from, it is brilliant to see the pupils rousing themselves and lifting themselves as the term kicks into gear.
Of course, we are now a week in and everyone’s passive substance has been fully acted on by their intelligent aether, so we’re all roaring on all cylinders (while also bleating about being tired), meaning that there is plenty of material for the blog, with reports on Ski Trips, German Christmas Markets and representing ISFA nationally at Football! So, waste no more time and dig in to it!
Head of Year Message
It has been great to see Third Year pupils back in School. Along with Form Tutors, we have been meeting with them to discuss and review their end of term grade cards – delivering well-deserved congratulations and setting targets for the term ahead. A reminder to pupils: with Parents’ Evening on the horizon (Tuesday 27 January) it is a good time of year to be making extra effort to impress your teachers in lessons, hand in homework on time and to a good standard and ensure that your behaviour is exemplary at all times around the school site. We will write separately to parents next week with appointment booking details.
When the weather is as uninviting as it has been recently, the temptation to hang around in Form rooms at lunchtime is proving too strong for many of our tutees. So, we want to take this opportunity to re-iterate our encouragement to all Third Years to get involved in the broad and varied co-curricular programme at Hampton. What better way to begin the new year than by giving something different and interesting a try at a lunchtime club? Why not start by attending one of the Art week events next week?
Thank you to all pupils and parents for taking the time to consider your GCSE subject options and submitting the online form to confirm your choices last week.
We recognise that some of these decisions are very difficult and you might change your mind over the remainder of this school year or following the summer exams. Whilst we would urge any pupil not to make such decisions lightly, and only ever after having discussed it with parents, Form Tutors and the relevant subject teachers, it is possible to request an alteration to your GCSE options, and such requests can usually be accommodated. Any request to alter GCSE options must be made by parents in writing to Dr Hendry (s.hendry@hamptonschool.org.uk), copying in Form Tutors and Heads of Year. Please continue to contact us, your son’s Form Tutors and Dr Hendry (Deputy Head) if you have any questions or concerns regarding GCSE options.
For your forward planning, we can confirm that the First to Third Year internal exams will take place during the week before summer half term (18 – 22 May).
Uniform
In the colder weather, 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), smart black 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 black V-neck jumper. Coats should not be worn inside the school buildings.
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
Third Years take to the Slopes!
At the end of the autumn term, about 60 pupils embarked on a ski trip, and I was lucky enough to be one of them! First, we had a brutal early meet in Heathrow Airport at 4:00 am on the first Saturday of the holidays. Our flight departed at around 7am in the morning and we landed in Munich a few hours later. Then we had to take a long coach ride over the border to Wagrain in Austria, where we settled in a hostel for the night. The next few days went by in a blitz, where we woke up early to get to the slopes quickly, and then returned to the hostel later in the afternoon and had multiple activities in the evenings, like football, tobogganing, a quiz and more.
The resort was very big and had a total of 12 summits. My group (group six) completed the 12 peaks trophy black, in which you summit every single mountain in under 24 hours. Each group had an opportunity to free ski to the bottom of the mountain at the end of the day. I think that the ski trip was a great experience and would love to go again.
By Artem K (3E)
Take a look below to see what a fantastic time our Third Year skiers had on the Austrian slopes:
German Christmas Markets
Friday Morning at 8am. 30 Germanists set off for Hamburg from Heathrow. We arrived in Germany, and had a quick lunch at the airport, before setting off on a train journey to Hamburg Hauptbanhof (where half a million passengers travel to and from every day), before leaving on an hour long train to Lubeck. Once we arrived in Lübeck, we got to our accommodation, and soon after set out to the main Christmas Market in the City. It was time for dinner – and we immediately went out into the market, eager and ready for some proper German cuisine. My top three meals were: the Currywurst (chopped up sausage in a delectable sauce), Muzen (delicious doughnut like lumps with Nutella coated on them), and the excellent schnitzel I had when we all dined out together.
Some highlights were: of course, the lovely Christmas market, the stunning architecture of the Marienkirche – St Mary’s Church – a symbol of Hanseatic wealth, and the Ferris wheel, illuminating the cold nights, which we all enjoyed. Overall, it was a stupendous excursion, filled with abundant opportunities to experience the German culture. I would recommend it highly to any people thinking of doing German as one of their Third Year options.
By Alex B (3E)
Take a look at some of the photos from the trip to Lübeck below:
German Christmas Market Gallery
ISFA National Football
Neil M (3A) was fortunate enough (and good enough!) to be selected for a training camp for the ISFA (Independent Schools’ Football Association) National team. Here is how he described it:
At the start of the Christmas holidays, I went for the ISFA camp for three days. We played two matches and I met many new people. I played in both matches which were both wins against Aldershot and Southampton. It was a great experience and I wish I could do it again.
When we asked Mr Hurst how he got on, he said this:
Even though Neil was competing with boys in various academies in his position of centre midfield, he very much held his own and performed well in the two matches he played (a 5-2 win vs. Aldershot Town U14 & a 2-0 win vs. Southampton U13). Off the pitch, he set a perfect example of what it is to be a Hamptonian and was a pleasure to have on the camp.
Beyond the privilege of taking part in the camp, Neil will be hoping to be selected for an international fixture against Wales later in the year. Well done and good luck, Neil!
Art Week
Hampton Art Week commences Monday 19 January. This week aims to boost pupils’ creativity and enhance appreciation of the presence of art in every subject – time to get creative! Starting Monday, we will have various crafty workshops, listed below:
Monday
Lower School Art Club at 12.35pm in F60 with Mr Bannister
Wednesday
Tie Dye in F60 at 12.35pm with Ms Elliott
Thursday
Clay Construction at 12.35pm in F60 with Ms Carolan
Lastly, we are running a competition where pupils of the Lower School are asked to design a neckerchief for Harris using our School colours. Templates can be collected during lessons or from the art office and are due Friday 30 January.
Two truths and a lie
Obviously, ‘two truths and a lie’ goes against every principle that the teachers in this School hold. Well, actually that’s not true. It specifically goes against the principle that they would not lie without challenging other principles they might hold like Mr Leafe’s principle that he would never eat a yoghurt, or Mr Green’s principle that he is unwilling to wear a scarf indoors.
But, trying to convince our upstanding educators to lie is hard enough, but it proved impossible in the final blog before Christmas, which is, of course, a time of goodness, generosity and virtue, as opposed to a time of pestilential untruths.
Luckily, the staff are much less bothered about this sort of thing once the rubber hits the road in January, so two truths and a lie returns this week.
The first filthy lie of 2026 comes from Miss Vasanthakumar. But it comes with two truths (as is the way of this feature). Here are her claims:
- Ms Vasanthakumar was once attacked by an octopus, having to beat it away with a tube of suncream
- Ms Vasanthakumar met her self-set year’s reading challenge and read 20 books in 2025
- Ms Vasanthakumar is a huge Marvel fan
Which is the lie?
CONNECTION CORNER
Connection Corner is back with another challenging conundrum! Have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection:
