Welcome to the First Year Blog!
This week’s big moment was the whole School photo, where the First Years managed to look impressively smart and composed, even as the cold wind did its best to turn the fields into a giant wind tunnel. Back inside the warmth of the classrooms, our second No Limits Day of the year brought football‑themed Spanish matches, scatter‑graph investigations, dramatic monologues and some very enthusiastic Chemistry chanting. An ever-popular day with our First Years!
Our U12Bs also delivered a thrilling ESFA quarter‑final performance, securing a place in the semis, while other First Years were busy taking to the stage, winning quizzes, performing music and even navigating whirlpools and sea monsters in the Junior Latin competition.
Next week is English Week, so get ready for finally unveiling the masked readers, the First Year sponsored Readathon, bookish challenges and plenty of literary fun across the School!
NEXT-LEVEL NO LIMITS FUN
This Tuesday, I had my second No Limits Lessons Day at Hampton, which was packed with fun activities and a different way of learning. Instead of usual lessons, we experienced subjects from completely new perspectives. In English, our form created never-ending stories, which meant that everyone wrote one sentence and then passed it on. By the end, the plots had morphed into completely unrelated things! In Geography, we created our own weather forecast using what we have recently learnt in class. I predicted patchy rain and moderate winds in London, which is always a safe assumption during the spring.
In German, we did a running dictation in teams, where one person ran outside to the corridor and read a text, tried to remember a phrase or some words, and sprinted back to relay it to the team. It was like a peculiar mix between language learning and exercise. Finally, in Maths, we investigated whether hand span and shoe size are correlated by drawing scatter graphs. Overall, it was an enjoyable and unusual day – a nice reminder that learning does not always mean sitting quietly at a desk. I am already looking forward to the next No Limits Lessons Day to see what other unexpected activities we will get to try!
By Hiu Yeung K (1P)
This Tuesday was supposed to be a normal day. But it wasn’t. It was No Limits Day, and I had the best time ever! Most classes ran as usual – except the ones that suddenly announced, ‘Surprise, we’re doing something completely different,’ as if that wouldn’t raise eyebrows.
In Spanish we got to play football with a ball made of scrap paper, there was a standard printed football field but, there were four dots on each half, so that if you folded the paper down the halfway line, the dots would touch each other. Every time you got to the final dot, you would score a goal and you would start back on the centre dot. My match score was 0-0. We were divided into groups of there and there would be two players and a referee. The referee would ask questions about Spanish like, “what does Hola mean?”. If you answered incorrectly, the other player would answer a different question, but if you get it correct, (the answer is hello) you move up a dot. I also had a great time in Chemistry. Mr Ellison, being a hardcore Fulham fan, remixed the ‘Josh King Again’ song to:
“No Limits Day
No Limits Day
No Limits Day Ole.”
Sadly, we could only perform it if a visitor came in, so we couldn’t show off our “wonderful’” singing to the future pupils.
By Storm R (1L)
This Tuesday, it was No Limits Lessons Day. This meant that we got to indulge in different, quirky ways of learning. First off, we had Chemistry with Mr Ellison. We had to, in pairs, create posters about different aspects of Chemistry we have learnt about. I paired up with Jacob B and we made one about compounds, elements and mixtures. It was very colourful and vibrant and included some funky fonts. Mr Ellison, being the energetic teacher and football fanatic he is, taught us an anthem we had to sing if a visitor came in (unfortunately, they didn’t). It went, ‘No Limits Day! No Limits Day! No Limits Day, ole!’ It was very funny! After the poster-making, he showed us the highlights of his favourite football club (Fulham FC) in a loss in the FA cup to Southampton. Apparently, he was at the game and Hampton superstar, Josh King, came on at one point.
Next, we had Maths, and we did Maths puzzles to do with circles (which we have been learning about) in real-life scenarios. It was great fun and encouraged us to think outside the box and use our calculators to work out circumference, diameter, radius, area and perimeter. After that, we had Spanish, where we had a football-themed lesson. It involved us playing a game where we had to answer Spanish questions. For example, Felix L-K would ask me, and then Owen S-W, a question. When we answered correctly, we would move up the pitch. The first to get the ball into the opponent’s goal got a point and the referee and goal scorer could both shout GOAL! It really helped my understanding of asking questions in Spanish and my ability to answer them, and it was a very fun exercise.
Our last No Limits Day lesson was English. We were invited to perform monologues of Great-Uncle Matthew in the opening scene of the play, “Ballet Shoes”. Six of us volunteered, and all monologues went well, especially Ren F’s one, which included amazing props and drama. I was pleased with my efforts, especially being able to pronounce the dinosaur’s name, Archaeopteryx. What a great word! Overall, No Limits Day was even better than the last one and I can’t wait for the next one!
Shout out: On another note, Book Club are hosting the Teetotallers’ Book Quiz, courtesy of English week. Mrs Minchin and the Book Club (Julian, Daniyal, Owen, Max, Jay, Joshua and me) have worked very hard to compile this quiz. It would be amazing to see lots of First and Second Year faces there, so please tell your friends and join us in the library this coming Wednesday 18 March, for snacks, edible prizes and lots of fun! Tell all your friends and see you there!
By Alex B (1L)
On Tuesday, I had a wonderful No Limits Day. My favourite lessons were Chemistry and Geography. In Chemistry, we learned how to create a graph to store data on Excel which was great fun and a life skill! Here is what I created:
In Geography, we watched a short clip on how the weather forecast in Great Britain is presented on BBC News then we were put into groups of four and we had to film ourselves presenting the weather forecast in places in England, Scotland and Wales. It was great fun, and I really enjoyed it.
By Edward G (1J)
Take a look at some of our First Years in action on No Limits Lesson Day:
WHOLE SCHOOL FREEZE FRAME
Everyone was waiting for this day. It was postponed in the autumn term because of bad weather, and we all were hungry for this day to arrive. On Tuesday, the day dawned on us and without a doubt we thought it would be cancelled. he excitement was built up weeks before the day, as news spread like wildfire, that the school photo team were back and better than before. A vision that once felt like a dream became insight of us.
When the day finally came, and as I sat in my seat, unable to sit still due to the excitement, the teacher finally announced that there would be a whole School photo! Anticipation has been building since the autumn, but after a long wait, the day finally arrived. The ‘vision that felt like a dream’ became a reality: the Whole School Photo. For those of us new to the experience, the sight of the towering Upper Sixth was daunting, but the energy on the fields was infectious. Despite the chilly temperatures, we kept our spirits high with games of ‘I Spy’ and ‘Chopsticks.’ In this moment of time, I was feeling quite bonded with my friends as I chatted to them more often than I used to in a short period of time and it really made Hampton feel like a friendly and comforting place.
Though the final moments required professional silence in front of the teachers, the sense of collective endurance made the five quick snaps of the camera feel like a shared victory. We headed to period 3 not just with a photo, but with a memory of standing together as a whole School.
By Avirat P (1H)
GOAL-GETTING GLORY
I am in the U12B Football team and last Friday, we played in the quarter-finals of the ESFA tournament at home. It was a hard and intense match in which we went into half-time one goal down thanks to a well-earned goal by the opposition. We came into the second half more encouraged, and it wasn’t long before we scored an equaliser. We all went crazy; there was a chance of us getting to the semis! Not long after, I got subbed on for Lenny M up top. Once I came onto the pitch I could feel the pressure: I had to score! And I did! Henry L pinned a through ball to me but the keeper and defender got there first. I drifted to the side so as to not crash into the opponents but after miscommunication between the defender and the keeper neither got the ball and they turned around as the ball slowly slid away. By that time I was about three metres left of the ball. Even though the other team were way closer to the ball than me, I gave it my all and sprinted to the ball. I got there just after the opponents but with one last slide, I managed to knock the ball away – specifically to the goal. I watched the ball slide in as I felt my defender’s studs dig into the side of my ankle. But then, the referee looked and jogged to the side of the pitch. The linesman had his flag up! The referee spoke to the linesman and then turned around. Then came the glorious moment when the referee blew his whistle and pointed at the centre spot. 2-1, it was a goal! My mind flooded with happiness which took over the pain from the studs. I got up and started to limp. I knew there was a striker on the bench and as to not let my team down, I asked to be subbed off. Moments later I was sitting on the bench when Inigo scored a header from a corner. 3-1! Everyone was so happy! Those 2 goals in the last 10 minutes of the game sealed the deal. A few minutes later two welcome short whistles followed by one long one met our ears. 3-1! It was the end of the match and we were through to the semi-finals of the ESFA!
By Miguel B (1B)
QUIZZING FOR A CAUSE
Let’s hear from some of our First Years who made the short trip to LEH this week for our Form Charity Quiz:
After my name got shortlisted in the lucky spin, I was extremely content and I could not wait to go to Lady Eleanor Holles. The day finally came after two weeks. Me, Vahin A, Yuvi U, and Aryun R walked the short distance across the astro and entered the neighbouring school. As we entered the welcoming atmosphere, we marvelled at the stunning architecture of the building. After walking to the quiz room, we all sat down and met our team members. We met some LEH girls and joined them. We were Team 1F! Other First year Hampton boys joined LEH girls to create different teams.
After five rounds of intense questions, we came in third place in a very talented group of students. To be honest with you reader, the LEH girls did most of the work. Thank you to some Sixth Form pupils who gave up their time to help manage the quiz. After a tasty pickup sandwich and orange, we all walked back across the “border” and into Hampton territory. WOW, a quiz is fun, but this is a level up! If I get the chance I would definitely go again.
Conclusion: Next time, I highly recommend any type of quiz competitions. Quizzes are very helpful and are proven to help the mind. Anyway, have an awesome weekend.
By Ronak B (1F)
On Thursday, I got to take part in a fun quiz, which was hosted by LEH. Four boys from every First Year Form were paired up with six girls from LEH to have a friendly competition against the seven other teams. We were paired up with Team 8, which included my twin sister. There were multiple rounds in the competition, with subjects in the quiz including charity, women for International Women’s Day, and song albums. Everyone in my team worked hard and we all gave it our all. As a result, we came joint second place! We got lollipops as prizes – but I think that wasn’t the true prize. The true prize was our communication with each other, and our teamwork. It was so fun!
By Aahil U (1G)
This Thursday a group of three, four or five people from each form in the First Year at lunch time today got to go to LEH for a fun quiz mainly about International Women’s Day and others too which I was luckily in. First, after we all had lunch, we came together in front of the reception and started our way there.
When we arrived, we went into a room and went to our allocated group, mine was Team 5, and we started the very fun and interesting quiz. There were five stages, which had eight questions for each one. Finally, we finished all the questions, and we came fourth out of the eight teams and had a great time too.
By Yifan C (1L)
ODYSSEY ONSTAGE
This week, I would like to talk about my experience at the Junior Latin competition hosted at Sir William Perkins’s School. There were three schools who participated in this competition, including Hampton. We were meant to perform a play from part of Greco-Roman literature ‘The Odyssey’, where Ulixes, the protagonist, is forced to choose between two dangerous routes for his ship. These two paths were separated by rocks and built-up debris. The option towards the left was to pass through a deadly whirlpool called “Charybdis”, which usually eats fish, but was strong enough to take out all soldiers on board. However, the pathway to the right was “Scylla” a monster with multiple serpent heads, which would devour only six sailors.
With a shortage of people to do the play, I was lucky enough to get two roles, a sailor who get eaten by the Scylla, then a narrator part. In the story, the ship was said to pass through brutal monsters named the “Sirens”. This monster had a woman’s head, and feathered body and used a unique tactic to draw sailors in: singing. The Sirens vocals were said to be so supernatural, that the music draws you closer once heard. When you get too close to them, they immediately killed you. During the journey, Ulixes was curious of what the Sirens sounded like. He ordered his sailors to tie him securely to the mast, and put wax in their own ears, however, he did not put wax in his own. As he begged the sailors to untie him from the mast, the sailors did not react, as they were previously told. Eventually, the Sirens left, and six sailors failed to survive overall.
It was also interesting to see how other schools interpreted the scenes, and how it differed from how Hampton School pictured it to be like. In the end, we came in second place. We enjoyed the experience, and will see how we could improve for next time.
By Owen S-W (1L)
WARHAMMER WONDERS
This week I would like to promote a club and invite all of you readers to a fun and exciting club. It is Warhammer Club! It takes place every Thursday and right now we need some more people so that the club can carry on. I went along to try it out today and the result was amazing. Painting on sculpted figurines and battling with them was fun and satisfying. I feel like it lit my inner passion for art. You could also make terrains that are creative and interesting for the battles we play. You get to keep a brush and the figurines. There are many different characters such as the space marines and tyrranids. I am only a beginner, but I can tell you that watching your own sculpture grow from a boring grey colour to a vibrant, good-looking figurine is deeply rewarding. Overall, if you are interested about painting, battling with characters or just have nothing to do on Thursday, come along!
By Julian H (1H)
English celebration Week
Next week it’s English Celebration Week – take a look at the poster below and see what you can join in!
One of the things First Years can get involved in is a Sponsored Readathon, which starts on Monday 16 March. Pupils are encouraged to read as many fiction books as possible during the week and over the Easter holiday. All funds raised will support the School’s nominated charities. During the week:
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You MUST bring a reading book to School with you every day.
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Pupils are encouraged to read for the Readathon during the School day.
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When possible, Form time (morning and afternoon) will be allocated to Readathon reading.
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The Library reading room is reserved for First Year pupils.
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English reading lessons will be used for Readathon reading.
Other key dates:
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21 April – Return sponsorship forms and money to Form Tutors
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24 April – Winning Form in each Year Group announced (Form who collectively reads the most books)
Special Shout outs!
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school and to celebrate your successes in the First Year Blog! Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Mr Jimenez (v.jimenez@hamptonschool.org.uk).
TUTEE OF THE WEEK
Every week, the First Year Tutor team nominate a Hamptonian who they have been particularly impressed with and Mr Hill and Mr Fuldner present him with a certificate and a tasty treat to eat!
Congratulations to Max H (1G) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week!
Max always gets on with everything quietly, making the most of Hampton’s opportunities, and being a model Hamptonian. Well done Max!
THE HAMPTON HUNT
Each week I will set you a challenge where you need to find out a random fact, number or indeed anything else around the School – you won’t be able to do this from home! You have until the end of Wednesday to complete the challenge; you will find out in next week’s blog if you’re correct, and you will be given a merit by your Form Tutor the following Monday. And who knows – you might get to know the School better in the process!
Last week’s challenge:
I might have set a question that was a LITTLE too hard… Those mysterious wall fixtures of a function that only Mr Clark knows, could be found in the Reception!
This week’s challenge:
What year is printed on this architectural sculpture above our main entrance?
