Welcome to the Second Year Blog!
As summer draws near, the excitement in the air is unmistakable, with fantastic trips, unforgettable performances, and the buzz of our upcoming Lower School production all adding to the energy. This edition is packed with highlights – from a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance at Downing Street to our fascinating visit to the Mary Rose, plus poetry, pets, and puzzling clues to challenge your mind.
Enjoy reading, and don’t forget to check back next week for more exciting updates!
Merit Milestones
A bumper week for merits, find out who got their certificate signed off this week:
Dushyant Parthiban – 20
Mehrad Mirkhani – 30
Ilakian Dhandapani – 30
Saiyan Bhullar – 40
Saiyan Bhullar – 50 (well done!)
Josh Don Carolis – 50 (off to see Mr Knibbs!)
Vivaan Senapati – 60 (great work!)
Matthew Thompson – 60 (super!)
Rey Jaiswal – 60 (fantastic!)
Rayyan Shah – 60 (super job!)
Vivaan Senapati – 70 (tremendous!)
Matthew Thompson – 70 (fabulous!)
Rey Jaiswal – 70 (excellent!)
Ian Lu – 70 (wonderful!)
Maximilian Pruess – 80 (congratulations!)
Xander Lindsay – 80 (amazing!)
Duncan Chan – 110 (wow!)
LION merits
Ian Lu – 30
Tutor Question of the Week
Each week the pupils decide on a question to ask all the Second Year Form Tutors.
This week, we asked:
If you could have any animal (real or mythical) as a classroom pet, which would you choose?
A) Fernando, a mischievous fairy who plays harmless pranks
B) Daisy, a fire-breathing (but very well-behaved) dragon – Mr Boyes, Mr Hill
C) Olive, a super-intelligent octopus who helps with science experiments
D) Oscar, Otis, and Ophelia, a group of otters that always tidy the classroom – Mrs Owen, Miss Holt, Miss Mattinson, 2L, 2H, 2W, 2P
E) Other (please specify!)
Have you ever had a burning question you’ve always wanted to ask your Form Tutors?! If so, then please send your suggestions for a future Tutor Question Time to e.holt@hamptonschool.org.uk.
A Night to Remember: My Performance at Downing Street
It was an incredible honour to perform at a private reception held at Downing Street. The event was attended by leading members of the UK Government and the House of Lords, including representatives from top music schools, exam boards, music centres, and conservatories across the country. Among the distinguished guests were individuals from Buckingham Palace.
On the way to the room where we were performing, I got a glimpse of the paintings of previous prime ministers; I counted 25 on my way up the stairs. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride to share my music with such a high-profile and diverse audience, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent the importance of music in our society on such an esteemed stage.
It is an evening I will never forget — a powerful reminder of how music continues to resonate at the highest levels and bring people together across borders and institutions.
By Albert K (2P)
Mary Rose
On the 10 and 13 June, the Second Year went on an enthralling History trip to visit the Mary Rose, King Henry VIII’s favourite ship. Although only parts of the starboard side of the ship remain, it was still fascinating to examine the ship’s timbers, cannons and many other items that dated back 480 years. During the trip, we learned about the different theories that many have speculated on regarding why the Mary Rose sank. For example, the vice-captain of the ship, George Carew, said that he didn’t have a sufficiently experienced crew and that that was the reason the ship sank. They were also able to look at replicas of items found on the seabed and learn about how 16th-century sailors would use them. On top of this, they went on a 4D experience to learn about the brave dive team that made it their mission to find the Mary Rose. I thought it was very cool that we were able to look at such an old and interesting ship that Henry VIII had admired and adored.
By Oscar C (2J)
On Tuesday, we had a fantastic trip to Portsmouth for a tour of the Mary Rose. It was a sunken Tudor warship which was thought to have been lost to the entire world. After a long, tiring trip to Portsmouth, we arrived at the Historical Dockyard. After being given tickets and told not to lose them, we ventured into the dockyard where the first sight that greeted us was the HMS Warrior. After a bit more walking, we saw a naval supply ship and an aircraft carrier (which I am not sure, but I think is the HMS Prince of Wales). After, we had a talk from one of the experts on the Mary Rose in which she told us how people are not sure how it actually sank, but she gave us a few sources to look at. Afterwards, we had lunch where a few of us played chess. After lunch, we visited the Mary Rose Gift Shop where some people bought condiments (for Father’s Day, of course!) and other toys. Then, we went through the exit to get to the 4D Mary Rose experience first. Before the 4D experience, we had to watch a film that tells us the background first. The 4D experience was not as realistic as other 4D experiences that I have been on, but it was still very cool. Then we visited the museum. The museum has a cool setup where we had to enter different rooms and exhibitions at different times. This means that they are able to regulate the number of people that are able to be in an exhibit at a time. Near the end of the museum, we were able to visit a balcony that was in the same room as where the Mary Rose was stored. It was a bit chilly to keep the wreck of the Mary Rose preserved as it was made out of wood. Overall, the exhibition was great. After the exhibition, we had snacks and went to the toilet and prepared to leave. We even met a pigeon which we named Timmy! All in all, it was an awesome day, and I loved it!
By Ian L (2F)
Hound of the Baskervilles
I am in the upcoming Lower School production of Sherlock Holmes, Hound of the Baskervilles. This play is a comedic version of the Sherlock Holmes that we all know and love, which consists of Sherlock and Watson undergoing many strange adventures as they try to put the pieces of the mystery together. However, I won’t spoil what happens, as you will have to go watch the production on Tuesday or Wednesday if you want to find out!
It is lots of fun to be a part of and is a great experience to experiment with the countless unique roles that the show has to offer. I recommend you come and watch it if you have the chance, and if you think that it is something that may appeal to you then you should audition for one of the shows in the future!
By Mika R (2J)
Dear Dad
Have a read of the fantastic poem from Ethan S-W (2L):
I would be scared one night,
His voice erases the fright,
He never hesitates to do what’s right,
He never puts up a fight,
But the world always listens,
When he moves.
Morning came,
The smell of dad’s aftershave,
A scent the same but never old,
Lingering in the hallway like a memory in motion.
He fixes things without a fuss –
A broken drawer or a bruised heart,
I would never know what to do,
If it was our time to part.
He showed me how to ride a bike,
The only stabilisers I ever needed,
Not just on tarmac,
But through the mess of my growth.
When it is dark I would hold his hand,
He always told me “On two feet you will land,”
That is the reassurance I need through life,
He helps me through both joy and strife.
I don’t say thank you –
As much as I probably should,
I hear his voice in mine,
And feel his calm hands in mine,
And smile when I know he’s here,
A guide that is always near.
Sponsored Strides!
This Sunday, I joined over 100 amazing people for a 20k charity walk from Waterloo to Mortlake to raise funds for Cure DHDDS, a charity supporting research and treatment for a super rare genetic disorder. (Some of the adults walked 40k, starting earlier that morning from the Thames Barrier).
The charity was set up by the parents of one of my classmates, whose siblings are directly affected. A number of Second Year Hamptonians took part. We were lucky with the great weather, lots of laughter, and an incredible sense of community. The walk ended with well-earned burgers to celebrate our triumph having racked up a staggering £70,000!
I want to thank everyone who donated, supported, or joined us on the walk to help raise funds and awareness of this great cause. I hope that you reading this inspires you to help cure DHDDS whether it’s through donations, joining us next time, or telling family and friends about this genetically rare condition!
By Noah M (2W)
The other summer sport: Baseball
Most people think of baseball as a sport that is only played in the USA and only by Americans. That is far from the case, however, with popular professional leagues across the world. Some of the biggest are in Japan, Korea, Mexico and Venezuela. Baseball is Japan’s most popular sport! Baseball is growing in popularity here in Europe as well: the Netherlands, Germany and Spain, amongst others, have competitive leagues. A small but enthusiastic community of baseball players also exists here in the UK, with teams from London, Sheffield, Brighton and Cardiff to name just a few. Team GB’s National Baseball Team even played in the last World Baseball Classic (baseball’s version of the World Cup), beating Colombia and automatically qualifying for the next round.
I play in a local league that has teams for boys and girls of all ages and abilities and with a selective academy team, the London Monarchs. The Monarchs travel to competitive tournaments throughout Europe, giving us good experience that is also a lot of fun. I have also played for Team GB U12 for the last three summers and will be playing for Team GB U15 this July in Trieste, Italy. In the meantime, I’m off to the Czech Republic at the end of June with a UK all-star U13 team for a European qualifying tournament; the winner goes to a world championship in the US – wish us luck!
By Wyatt M (2B)
Cryptic Clue
As a renowned devotee of the club, Michael C (2J)’s passion for cryptic crosswords has extended into creating his own for us to try and solve!
Clue: After end of year, needing to repay with summer activity (6)
Hint: ‘Summer activity’ is the definition
Come back next week to find out if you guessed correctly!
Pet of the Week
Every week we are meeting one of Second Year’s furry (or scaly!) friends. This week two feline friends are sharing the crown!
Here’s why James A (2H) thinks Cassie and Willow deserve to be pet of the week:
Willow and Cassie are my kittens who are now 8 months old! They follow each other around all day and love exploring in the garden, play fighting and chasing toys. Cassie loves water and runs to the tap when she hears someone’s turning it on. Willow loves wrestling her sister and chases her all over the place. I love spending time with them and watching them play together!
Would you like to see your pet featured? Email e.holt@hamptonschool.org.uk with a picture of your pet, along with their name, age, and why.
QUIZ OF THE WEEK
Welcome to the Quiz of the Week! Every week, we’ll post five general knowledge questions. Take a look at this week’s questions, have a go yourself or challenge people at home and see if they know the answer. Points for the Interform Competition will be awarded to the form with the most entries over the term.
This week’s questions come from our Sujay N (2L)! Why don’t you have a go at this week’s questions and enter your answers here.
Here are the answers to last week’s quiz:
- Which country is the closest to being circular in shape? Sierra Leone
- Which are the only two countries featuring pink on their flag? Spain and Mexico
- How many grapes, on average, are in one bottle of wine? 700
- What was Eleanor Roosevelt’s maiden name? Roosevelt
- Which is the only tube station which has the word ‘station’ in its official name? Battersea Power Station
Well done to Ian L, Reuben N, Alex B and Ilakian D. Don’t forget to collect a Merit!
If you’re keen to write some general knowledge questions for the Blog, please email e.holt@hamptonschool.org.uk
