Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
Where are the ducklings, boys??? WHERE ARE THE DUCKLINGS?????
The Third Year Blog is on the verge of conducting a raid on LEH in order to ensure that they have not somehow ducknapped them. But the Third Year Blog knows that idea is just driven by desperation. Our kind neighbours would not behave like that. Or would they…
Frankly, all this makes it hard to focus on anything else. But focus on other things we must.
This week, we have a report from the rowers and also, in a form of emotional torture, an interview with Mrs Moria, who is the person who looks after the Hampton DucklingsTM when, if (if!!), they arrive.
There is also news of a couple of events to get involved with – the Anonymous Postcard sale and the Summer Rock Concert. Let’s get into it!
Heads of Year Message
Exams
Third Year Exams will take place during the week commencing Monday 19 May (the week before half term). Departmental study guides and/or revision check lists can be found in the respective departmental areas on SharePoint. If any pupil is uncertain where to find revision materials, they should speak to the relevant subject teacher as a matter of priority next week.
Thanks to all the parents who attended Third Year Study Skills Evening on Tuesday, and we hope that you found the presentations useful. We shared all the resources from that event with all Third Year parents via SchoolPost on Wednesday.
We can confirm that all J14 Rowers travelling to Nottingham for the National Schools Regatta on Friday 23 May will sit the exams scheduled for that day on Monday 2 June (after half term) instead. Individual exam timetables will not be adjusted to reflect this.
Individual exam timetables will be emailed to pupils today. Please contact exams@hamptonschool.org.uk if you have a specific concern about your exam timetable.
Please contact Form Tutors in the first instance if you have concerns about preparations for Exams or related pastoral concerns.
Homework
In order to facilitate time for revision, we have asked all First to Third Year subject teachers not to set any ‘new’ homework in the two weeks immediately prior to the exams (or during exams week itself). Teachers may set guided revision tasks as homework if they deem that to be helpful.
Whilst we are advising the boys to make the most of the time available to revise over the coming weeks (using their homework timetable as a basic framework for revision, whilst no new homework is set), we continue to support their engagement in a range of sporting and co-curricular activities. Although this can lead to some busy schedules, we believe that it is essential for the boys to maintain a balanced approach to school work, sport and other co-curricular activities, leisure and family time, combined with a healthy diet and regular sleep throughout this period.
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 Portalon 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 – keep up the good work over this weekend and into next week. Stick to your revision schedules. Continue to be thoughtful and kind to the people around you. As always, let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you are having any difficulties.
Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore
Rowing Gold
The J14A quad claimed Gold in the prestigious Junior Inter-Regional Regatta at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. We had previously qualified to represent the Thames London West region. On the day, it was an early start to reach Nottingham in time for the morning time trial to qualify for the final. In chilly but calm conditions, we set a good rhythm across the 1 kilometre course. Our time meant we were third fastest among the fourteen regions competing from across Great Britain. There were only two seconds or so between us and first, and the longer 1.5 kilometre final gave us hope that we could still win.
In the final, one other boat set a high pace off the line, and left us in second place by half a length. We remained at our pace, knowing that they might struggle to maintain their speed. However, despite how hard we pushed ourselves, they would not let go without a fight. Finally, in the last few hundred metres, they began to slip. We immediately pounced on our opportunity. At the 250 metre mark, we overtook them, but we could not rest just yet. We were still close, and with them out of the way, we could see another boat on the other side of the lake who was also picking up the pace. We fought hard, but they were still gaining. After a few seconds that seemed like hours, we crossed the finish line in first place by a canvas.
Before we got out of the boat, we turned back around and collected our British Rowing branded medals. The boat which was winning off the start only got bronze. This result gives us confidence for when we will soon return to Nottingham with many more rowers for the National Schools’ Regatta.
By Joseph M-F (3B)
Hampton DucklingsTM
While the Third Year Blog is losing its dignity over the absence of the Hampton DucklingsTM, Mrs Moria, the Deputy Bursar is the person here who largely coordinates the care we give them when they arrive. In our panic, the Third Year Blog took the chance to speak to her:
Do we have an idea of how long the ducklings have been coming to Hampton for?
I’ve been working here for eight years, and they’ve been coming for all of those years. I believe they could have been coming for the last twenty or so years. Before The Barry Martin Centre was built there was an open quad with a large pond in it. They used to nest in there and after that building was built, they moved to Cloisters.
Is it always the same mother duck who brings them?
We don’t know. We think there must be a family link, so whether it started with one mum and we now have the children/grandchildren of the original Mrs Duck, we do not know. Google suggests it is likely to be the same family. “The female, accompanied by the male, searches for a territory. Most often, she will choose a territory close to where she was born. Some females return year after year to the same site. The nesting site may be close to a pond but is frequently at some distance and may even be far from water”.
How many were there last year?
We started with 12 ducklings, and we released 10. Unfortunately, we lost one quite soon after they hatched and one just before we moved them. A successful hatch is considered when over 50% of the birds reach it to adulthood, so it was a good year for the Hampton ducklings in 2024.
How long do they normally stay for?
Last year they were here for three weeks. We make a judgement call as to when we move them. We try to make sure they’ve had the chance to grow a bit to give them the best chance of survival in the wild. Last year they decided they wanted to stay until they could fly away which was when they were 60 days old!
Are there any predators that they face in the School grounds?
We are very lucky that they are protected from foxes. Unfortunately in the Cloisters, crows are their biggest predator.
Do you see them enough to get a sense of any individual characters?
Unfortunately not.
How do you manage the process of them leaving?
Moving them is quite stressful. Normally, there are five of us who come in early on a Sunday morning to do it. When she feels threatened Mrs Duck flies off and there is the potential that she could abandon the babies, so we have to be careful this doesn’t happen. We funnel all the babies into one area and gently place them into a large high sided container. We put this on the back of the School Buggy and drive slowly over to the back of the field. We may have to stop to make sure Mrs Duck is still around. When the babies are separated from her they make a distress call and you can hear them calling to each other. Once we know Mrs Duck is at the back of the field, we release the babies by the fence so that they can easily access the River Crane which is behind the fence. We then watch from a distance to make sure they are all reunited. The whole process can take about 2½ hours.
How long have you been in charge of making sure their Hampton experience is a good one?
It’s a complete team effort, my job is to buy the food! The Cleaning Supervisors and Keepers are responsible for feeding them. The Grounds team are responsible for making their accommodation nice and they also put the pond in last year. Quite often when the team arrive at 5.30 in the morning Mrs Duck is at the doors by the Hammond pecking the door to remind them that she wants feeding! I think the arrival of the ducks makes everyone in the School feel a bit happier, so it feels right that we do our bit to make their stay as comfortable as possible.
So, to that point, how confident are you that the ducklings will eventually arrive this year?
You can never be certain with wild animals, but I am quietly confident. I certainly hope they arrive!
Thank you, Mrs Moria – we hope you are right!
Artist Anonymous
Here is an excellent idea to get involved in.
For Giving Day this year, we are hosting an ‘Anonymous Artist Postcard Sale’ and we would like as many pupils, parents, and staff, as possible to demonstrate their artistic talents. To get involved, you can collect a postcard from either the Art department (F63) or the Alumni office (G3). You then have until Monday 2 June to create and submit your anonymous masterpiece. Members of the Hampton community will be invited to view the art work online (exhibited at School to staff and pupils on Wednesday 2 July) and make a donation to take a masterpiece home. Hidden amongst the masterpieces will be submissions from professional Artists – will you take home a piece created by a current award-winning artist? Or one created by the next Picasso?
Battle of the Bands
The Summer Rock Concert is being held on Tuesday 24 June, and this year will take the format of a ‘Battle of the Bands’ in aid of the upcoming Giving Day. The audience will be given the chance to vote for their favourite band, who will win some music vouchers and the opportunity to play before the Summer Concert at the end of the year.
Auditions are open to bands and soloists from First Year to Lower Sixth – all the required information was sent round in an email last Friday. The deadline for signing up for an audition is Friday 16 May. If you have any questions, come and find Mr Ferrier in the Music Office.
Two Truths and a lie
Last week, Mr Hooper was our filthy liar.
These were his claims:
- Mr Hooper (Senor Tonelero?) has a Spanish A-Level
- Mr Hooper is a Leeds United supporter
- Mr Hooper’s father won the Junior Wimbledon Tennis doubles championship
Which is the lie?
Mr Hooper is a Leeds supporter. The only reason he wanted this to be part of his contribution was to draw attention to their glorious Championship title, which they won on goal difference. I haven’t seen Mr Hooper play tennis, though he looks like the sort of person who might be handy with a racquet. Not as handy as his father, though, who did win the Junior Wimbledon Tennis doubles championship. This means that Senor Tonelero does not have a Spanish A-Level. However, he does have a French A Level, meaning we should really be calling him Monsieur Cerceau.
This week, Miss Embiricos is our liar. Which of these could possibly be true?
- Miss Embiricos’ favourite food is sea urchin salad
- Miss Embiricos has represented Greece in the Ultimate Frisbee World Cup
- Miss Embiricos’ cousin is in the movie Fantastic Beasts
Incredibly, only one is a lie. Find out which one next week…
Connection Corner
Well done to the everyone who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner. Well done to everyone who correctly guessed that the answers were all Salads, big shout out to Leonard H, Dennis H, Oliver Y, Joe B, Alp O, Seb W, Sion K, Daniel S, Gordon L, Oscar S, Vayun J, James G, Alex G, Luke F and Matthew L.
Another tricky one this week, have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection:
In case you’re still perplexed, here are the answers to last week’s conundrum:
King Edward, Jersey, Maris Piper and Yukon Gold, are all types of what? Potatoes
Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Zakynthos, are all more commonly known as what? Greek Islands
Who led the Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC? Julius Caesar
Guava, acai, dragon and durian are all types of what? Fruit
Connection: Different types of salad (Potato Salad, Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, Fruit Salad)
