Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
We are back! As the pupils charge back through the gates and the staff are reanimated from their lairs deep within the Hammond, we find ourselves in the push towards Easter. The daffodils are out in the cloisters and if the football pitches weren’t essentially swimming pools because of the all the rain, you’d almost (almost!) be able to convince yourself it was spring. Of course, it isn’t, but the Third Year Blog is nothing if it is not an optimist.
The first week after half term is a tough time for the blog. Achievements are in the process of being achieved, as opposed to being written about. After the Interform bonanza of the blog before half term, we are left lamenting getting over excited and throwing everything in. However, this week we get the chance to hear about a promising performance from the Third Year rowers, the Rugby Tour that happened over half term, the Hampton Innovations competition and one Third Year pupil’s desire to dunk. Let’s gooooooo…
HEADS OF YEAR MESSAGE
Thanks to all the pupils who have sent match reports and contributions to this blog. It is your blog and it is wonderful to hear your voices through it. Please keep the contributions coming in to Mr Green!
Wellbeing Survey
Prior to half term we asked all Third Year pupils to answer a few questions related to their experiences. The most common themes arising for Third Year pupils are issues with sleep and organisation, followed by anxiety. Michael Uccelli (Lead Counsellor) has made a video about sleep, which is available on the parent portal via the following link here.
We hope that seeing a positive outcome to the survey and providing some helpful hints for self-care might encourage boys to understand why we ask these questions and prompt a helpful discussion at home.
If you have any concerns about wellbeing, please let us and/or Form Tutors know. Pupils or parents can arrange a meeting with a counsellor directly by emailing counselling@hamptonschool.org.uk.
Study Skills Evening
Study Skills Evening (for parents) will take place on Tuesday 6 May from 6.30pm. We will write to all parents before the end of this term with further details, including how to sign up to attend the event.
Third Year Internal Exams will take place from 19 to 23 May, during the week before summer half term holiday.
Absences
If your son 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 your son’s absence. For absences other than illness e.g. if a pupil has a dental or medical appointment during School hours, notice of this should be given in advance. For planned absences, please contact Heads of Year requesting the absence with as much notice as possible.
Boys – 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
On the Water
Rowing – Hampton’s decisive interregional trials victory. On to the next round!
Hampton School’s J14 leading quad sculled a brilliant race in the Inter-regional Trials at Dorney Lake, taking the 1500m rowing event by a commanding difference. In a demonstration of outstanding skill and co-ordination, the crew completed in a superb time of 6 min 50, well ahead of their closest competition, who timed 7 min 28. The 38-second difference mirrored Hampton’s dominance and precision, an indication of their rigorous practice and dedication.
This brilliant win not only showed the crew’s potential but also marked their reputation as one of the strongest young rowing crews in the country for their age group. A proud day for Hampton!
Report by Arik K (3F)
Rugby Tour
On the last day of school before half term, we travelled up to Nottingham for a rugby tour. As soon as we arrived we had training at Nottingham University for an hour and a half or so, before going to watch the local team Nottingham play Premiership giants Northampton. It was a tight first 20 minutes and both teams played well, it being quite an end to end game, however Nottingham couldn’t hold out and lost 66-33. Shortly we left for the hotel and went straight to sleep as training was early the next day.
The next day, we went to Leicester Tigers training ground to experience what it’s like to be a professional. We had a brief tour of the amazing facilities before we headed off to a pro-lead training session. After training we went to Ninja Warrior to wind down.
Our last full day was packed with activity as we had a difficult game against Midlands rugby club Burton which we happily won 22-12. We then went ten pin bowling before returning to the hotel, leaving the next day. It was a sensational trip and we had a great time. Thank you to all the staff who helped make it happen!
Report by Ben G (3F)
Hampton Innovations
The Hampton Environmental Society challenged the pupils of the School to come up with ambitious ideas that could contribute to a more sustainable future. The finals took place earlier this week and, while at the time of writing, we don’t yet know the results, we wanted to share the outstanding idea offered by Neal H (3H). Neal’s idea was based around trying to make the Hampton School uniform more eco-friendly. Here are his thoughts:
Taking part in the Hampton Innovation Challenge was an exciting opportunity to turn my passion for sustainability into action. My idea focused on eco-friendly uniforms using sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester and organic cotton. Currently, most Hampton branded uniform pieces are made using non-sustainable like polyester, elastane, viscose, nylon which contains chemicals and are harmful to the environment. My research included detailed analysis on the current materials used, their alternatives and benefits as well as challenges in implementing uniform using sustainable fabrics.
Being selected as a finalist alongside five other talented innovators was an incredible experience. The competition challenged me to do detailed research including research on how implementing eco-friendly uniform can help Hampton School achieve UN Sustainability Development goals and DfE’s School Climate Action Plan. I outlined a three-year roadmap and plan with phased approach to implement the uniform with sustainable fabrics. My main learning was that sustainability is more than an environmental issue—it also affects affordability, ethics, and long-term impact.
On the day, I was one of the six finalists, and I presented my idea and topic to other Hamptonians and teachers. Some asked quite interesting questions such as, “Which piece of uniform would be most easy to change, and with what materials?”, with me replying with, “In my opinion, I believe the school ties would be quite easy to replace by using bamboo fabric, which is cheap and also very soft like the Hampton ties.” The innovation challenge was extremely enjoyable, and I found it quite fun to showcase my thoughts to other people. This challenge was just the beginning. I aim to continue further research as my HELP project.
Great work, Neal!
The drive to dunk
Jojo O’S (3F) is determined to get to the stage where he can successfully dunk a basketball. The Third Year Blog is going to follow his journey. For this week, we asked Jojo to outline what has prompted this plan…
My name is Jojo, and it has been my lifelong dream (for about a year) to dunk a basketball on a full-sized rim. Only a year ago, I struggled to dunk on an 8ft 6 rim, a foot and a half lower than a full sized one. I couldn’t even touch the backboard, and I thought it would be impossible for me to dunk one day. But a 5-and-a-half-inch growth spurt, taking me to nearly 6ft 1 today, and dramatic increase in my jumping ability, likely helped by the amount of basketball and other sports that I do, means I am very close to dunking.
I have tried, and failed, to dunk and I can’t even grab the rim with two hands yet. However, I am very confident that I will be dunking shortly, and I’ll try and video it to show my friends. Then the next step would be to do it in game.
Jojo, the Third Year Blog will be with you all the way. Next week we will have a further update, potentially with video footage.
Two truths and a lie
You will remember (of course you remember!) that, before half term, we had another guest visitor to the Two truths and a lie spot: the multi-talented Miss Bellingan, Teacher of English AND History. These were her claims.
- Miss Bellingan is allergic to cranberries
- Due to an old family superstition, Miss Bellingan refuses to wear the colour purple on Wednesdays
- Miss Bellingan has a deep fear of sea sponges
So what was truth and what was a dark, filthy lie?
Miss Bellingan was unwilling to divulge what happens if she eats cranberries, but the Third Year Blog understands it to be DEEPLY unpleasant for all concerned. Miss Bellingan was also unable to clearly articulate exactly what it is that has led to her utter terror at being faced with a sea sponge. Presumably, if situation demanded, she would be able to defeat a sea sponge in conflict, but she would much, much rather not be put in that position. Which means that, despite any other unexpected quirks, Miss Bellingan IS willing to wear purple on a Wednesday or, indeed, any other day.
This week, we have Biology titan Miss Towler.
- Miss Towler is a qualified SCUBA diver
- Miss Towler is an avid bird watcher
- Miss Towler has never broken a single bone in her body
Which is the lie?
Talk!
There are two more Talk! events to to look forward to this term, the first one takes place next Thursday 6 March when we welcome our very own Mr Cross, History teacher extraordinaire and Gold medal Olympian! Find out more here.
No need to book, just come along to the Hammond Theatre on Thursday 6 March at 1pm.
CONNECTION CORNER
A big shout out to everyone who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner and well done those of you who answered all the questions correctly. Merits go to all those who correctly guessed that the answers were all the first four colours of the rainbow – remember the song?! Merits go to Oscar S, Oliver Y, Joe B and Ishaan M.
Another tricky one this week, see if you can spot the connection:
In case you’re still perplexed, here are the answers from last week’s conundrum:
In the Harry Potter series, Professor Dolores Umbridge mainly wears which colour? Pink
On what surface do you play the game of bowls? Bowling green
Connection: The first four colours of the rainbow (red, yellow, pink, green)
Have a great weekend!
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