Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
Last week passed Third Year Blogless. Obviously, this absence of news was massive news in South West London. The reason, of course, was Hampton’s presence in the ESFA national cup finals for the First and Second XI competitions. This is a genuinely remarkable effort and something we should all be proud of.
Congratulations in particular must go to Mr Leafe, Mr Ritchie and the Second XI for their marvellous victory – their second consecutive national cup triumph (something you couldn’t accuse Mr Leafe of being shy of mentioning). Indeed, this is the sixth trophy that the Second XI has carried home over the last two years.
Thankfully, we find ourselves back on solid, blogful, ground this week.
In some ways, though, the biggest news this week is actually once again an absence of news. The Hampton DucklingsTM have yet to appear….
Every year at about this time, a group of ducklings appear in the Cloisters with their mother. Apparently, this has been happening for about the last twenty years. But this year, as yet, they have not appeared and it feels as if they should already be here. If you see a teacher walking past the cloisters and peering through the windows, the likelihood is that they will be looking to see whether they have arrived.
Of course, the lack of ducklings prompts debate about why they have not yet arrived…
Could it be that the mother duck was confused by last Friday’s events and there is a group of ducklings ambling confusedly around Stoke’s stadium?
Could it be that this year’s crop of ducklings did arrive, were not up to scratch and were ejected from the premises on the basis of not being sufficiently lively or unpretentious?
Could it be that LEH has created a duckling utopia and has lured the Hampton DucklingsTM to some dark spot in their grounds where they will use them as a marketing tool?
Could it be that this year’s crop of ducklings and their mother are simply the kind of aquatic bird that doesn’t respect tradition?
Could it be that the noise generated by the 3G at lunchtime somehow reached a critical point at which it is so loud, so cacophonous, so overwhelming, that the ducklings are unable, or unwilling to find their way to the cloisters?
These are the conspiracy theories flying around the classrooms. Unlikely theories perhaps, but until the ducklings arrive and the uncertainty is eliminated, the Third Year Blog is finding it increasingly difficult to rest. So, keep an eye out and hopefully by next week, the Hampton DucklingsTM will soon be happily waddling around under the Mulberry Tree like something out of a PG Wodehouse novel.
While it feels impossible (even callous?) to drag ourselves away from this stark ducklingless reality, let us focus on the magnificent experiences of the Third Years.
Heads of Year Message
Third Year Assessments
Third Year Assessments will take place during the week commencing Monday 18 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 Monday 27 April, and we hope that you found the presentations useful. We shared all the resources from that event with all Third Year parents via SchoolPost last week.
We can confirm that all J14 Rowers travelling to Nottingham for the National Schools Regatta on Friday 22 May will sit the assessments scheduled for that day on Monday 1 June (after half term) instead. Individual exam timetables will not be adjusted to reflect this.
Individual assessment timetables will be emailed to pupils this week. Please contact exams@hamptonschool.org.uk if you have a specific concern about your assessment timetable.
Please contact Form Tutors in the first instance if you have concerns about preparations for assessments 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 assessments (or during assessments week itself). Teachers may set guided revision tasks as homework if they deem that to be helpful.
Whilst we are advising all pupils 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.
Mobile Phones
Thank you to parents for your support in helping your child navigate the new mobile phone policy put in place on 1 April by the government. Please do remind them that their phone must be safely locked away in their locker for the whole day and may not be retrieved before 4pm. We are grateful for your assistance in ensuring that your child has a suitable padlock for their locker to keep their valuables safe.
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
ESFA Adventure!
We have several reports on the experience of heading up to Stoke to watch the ESFA finals….
On the first day of May, two strong Hampton sides were to play in a ESFA finals after having stormed their way through the national tournament. Following the long trek up to the home of the Stoke stadium, the atmosphere from the Hamptonians was electric – a sea of yellow and black scarves accompanied the supportive roar of hungry fans eager to watch their sides battle it out to bring back hard-earned silverware.
The Second XI began first and with every successful tackle rose a chant from the stands – the adrenaline was not only racing through the players but the dedicated Hamptonian fans also. Every minute of the full 90 was a pleasurable watch as Hampton swayed past the defence of the opposition with elegance.
Securing a controlled 2 –1 win by the time the final whistle blew – they had done it! The discipline and desire of the team proved how vital our squads can prove to be and we leapt into the First XI’s game with a wonderful feeling of relief.
Unfortunately, the First XI were not as clinical in this game and the score ended with a 3 – 1 loss to the champions – Samuel Whitbread Academy. Regardless of the outcome, Hampton had played with strength and brought respect to the badge. One game was lost but we still returned home with a monumental victory as the Second XI Hampton Boys etched their name into footballing history.
By Chester F (3G)
It was a very nice experience. I woke up quite early at roughly 7am to go with my friend for the meet at 7.50am at School. After being taken to our assigned buses, we were told how the experience would go and what to do along with the fact that we were not allowed to use our phones on the way to the stadium. I got through the rather long bus ride with my friend by doing a bunch of verbal games and then we finally got to Stoke City FC’s stadium which was looking perfect for a Hampton victory.
I got off the bus with my friend and we were all given packed lunches. Whilst I was waiting for everyone else to get their packed lunches and the teachers to coordinate I had the privilege of meeting the Hampton lion mascot which was very interesting.
We got inside the stadium roughly 10 minutes into the Second XI game and luckily enough we were told by the Sixth Formers who were already there that we had missed no goals. Through much cheering especially when we got the equaliser we came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1.
In between the two games I found the time to eat (honestly too good) Korean fried chicken and chips with my friend, although he may have eaten a bit too much of it. It was still delicious. Moving onto the First XI, it was an incredible experience with both teams going strong and the fans very loud until the other team scored in the 10th minute. This may have knocked down our fans but not our players as they fired some very near shots in including two that hit the crossbar.
Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as we conceded again, putting us into the second half down 2-0. The Hampton spirit was down and many of us thought we were out – that was until the 85th minute where we managed to bundle one home at the back post and the game was on. 2-1 with 5 minutes to go.
The crowd was roaring the players on until the very last second, when we had to go all in on for a corner. Even our keeper was up. The ball was swung in, but we didn’t manage to get a goal and they ended up on the counter, making easy work of the finish with no keeper in the net, leaving the full time whistle at 3-1 to them. Despite the loss, it was a great day.
By Stephane A (3G)
On Friday 1 May, most of the school made their way to Stoke City FC to watch the double ESFA Final. The bus ride there was something else. With chant sheets in hand and spirits high, the boys in coach seven were singing their hearts out. The journey was long. 3-and-a-bit hours for some boys without their most prized possession is a lot to deal with. One thing for sure is that the atmosphere in each and every bus was enjoyable to be a part of, apart from the overly loud screams of people who thought they were funny.
By the time we got there, everyone was tired – but dug deep and found enough heart and energy to pick themselves up and support both teams involved. Long story short, the Second XI won with the last kick of the game, followed by last minute limbs from the fans. The Firsts, unfortunately, lost with the last kick of the game, after putting everything into the final attack to conjure up an equalizer.
Overall, the day was amazing and I’m sure everyone would want to live it over again.
By Pablo R-B (3G)
On Friday 1 May, the First XI were fighting for a win in the ESFA finals at Stoke City. It had been a tough game so far for the Hamptonians; 2-1 to the opposition and with time running out, Hampton were pushing for an equaliser. They kept testing the oppositions defence, launching attack after attack, trying to prove that they had the cutting edge.
It was nearing the end of the game and we were moving into stoppage time, when the Hampton attack earned us a corner. The crowd was louder than it had ever been before, and the sound of Hampton voices chanting “We want more!” emanated through the Bet365 Stadium.
The Hampton keeper ran up to the opposition’s box, as the whole of the First XI hoped for the equaliser. The corner was sent in, only to be cleared out by an opposition defender, who made a breakaway and scored into an empty net. Hampton fought hard in a tough game, only to come short of an ESFA final win.
By Tanish K (3G)
Talk! From Fraser Nelson
I went to a Talk! last Tuesday delivered by Fraser Nelson, who was the Former Editor of The Spectator, and is now a leading columnist at The Times and an authoritative voice on UK and international affairs.
It was about the war in the Middle East, America and Trump, and British politics. He showed statistics of who is most likely to win the next general election, with Reform with the highest percentage. He also showed the popularity of each Prime Minister and how it now rapidly drops whereas it used to drop slower.
I overall found it really interesting and the cartoons on each page were a really funny representation of politics created by Morten Morland.
By James A (3F)
Anyone for Cricket?
U14A Cricket
On Thursday, the U14A team had a game vs Reed’s, a solid side who we lost to last year in the Surrey Cup. Because of this, the team was eager to get revenge and beat them. Reed’s won the toss and chose to bat first. We went out onto the field and had a quick success of two wickets in the first five overs from Wilf W and Dushyant P.
They then settled in, with one of their batsmen scoring fifty and another scoring forty. We finally broke their partnership when we bowled one of them out and they ended with a total of around 160. Ruhaan V and Reyansh J then opened the batting both scoring quick fifties and putting us in a very good position. We then continued batting at a solid pace before Kailan S came in and smashed the final runs.
It was a very good game and we can’t wait for another rematch.
By Magnus O’L (3G)
U14B Cricket
On 7 May, the under U14C cricket team had one of our closest matches yet, taking on Reed’s School. It was a slow start for our batsmen, Uzair and Vivaan but they certainly picked up the pace quickly. We were on 20 runs off 6 overs, which was arguably a bad start, but we managed to pull it back to 102 runs off 14 overs. Uzair scored a 50 in short time but retired after a brilliant streak ending at 75 runs. This was a great innings for him and a decent innings for many others.
We proceeded to field very well with two run outs by Henry S and Nirvaan B. These were very crucial as they led to us having an advantage with us getting their better batters out of the way. William R took a catch in the 17th over, which assisted the attempt to defeat Reed’s. By this point, they were 15 runs off winning, so the game had come to the opposition needing 15 runs off 15 balls.
There were also some great bowling spells in this match with three wickets from Aneesh, Naivedya and Ilakian. But even through our struggles, Reed’s reached their goal on the second to last ball. It was a devastating defeat but was something we were able to learn a lot from.
By William R (3G)
Snowdonia Expedition
In the last week of the Easter holidays, pupils from the Second and Third Year embarked on an action packed few days in the foothills of Mount Snowdon.
After a long bus journey and an early start, we started off the trip with some orienteering, our first taste of the hilly Welsh terrain and changeable weather. The groups managed to stick together and get to the end point in one piece. A filling supper followed by a football game in the shadows of the mountains capped off a thrilling first day.
The next days of the trip were filled with a 18km trek around lakes, over streams, past newly born lambs and up some very steep hills. The highlight for many was eating lunch in a cavernous and somewhat dark abandoned slate mine: a unique experience. Meanwhile, the other half of the trip was zip wiring, rowing, abseiling and wading past abandoned shoes, old carts and up a waterfall inside an old slate mine on Go Below. These two days were full to the brim with exciting activities and memorable experiences.
On the final day of activities, we took to the water on kayaks, beginning playing a Third vs Second year netball-football game on the open lake (which somehow the Second Years won thanks to some questionable refereeing decisions in the dying minutes) and ending with a ridiculously cold jumping session of the jetty. After a quick packed lunch in the minivans, we headed over to the hills for an exhilarating few hours of mountain biking, including the infamous ‘Ice Cream Challenge’ that lived up to its reputation, much to the despair of us all.
That last activity capped off an incredible few days outdoors in Snowdonia. Thank you to all the teachers on the trip for helping us have such a great time.
By Theo P (3B)
Rowing
On Saturday, the rowing J14A, B and C crew took part in BASHER – a series of time trials and side by side races. BASHER stands for Bedford School, Abingdon School, St. Paul’s School, Hampton School, Eton College and Radley College.
These opponents are some of the best in the country and some of the biggest rivals we have in other tournaments. It was a whole day affair starting in the morning and ending in the evening. Overall, it was very fun and we had a great day out – the season is getting going!
By Ian L (3J)
Two truths and a lie
We actually have a bumper edition of two truths and a lie this week.
Before Easter, we had Miss Bedford lying to us, but the Third Year Blog neglected to tell you what was truth and what was lies. She told us:
- Miss Bedford has been swimming in open water with sharks and sea lions
- Miss Bedford has five cats, named after the main characters in The Famous Five
- Miss Bedford once read the news live on the radio whilst standing in a pond of koi carp
Which was the lie? Miss Bedford laughs in the face of danger, so swimming with sharks is nothing to her. Miss Bedford was once a radio news presenter and did once perform her job with her feet being nibbled by koi carp. Which means that Miss Bedford does not have five cats named after the Famous Five. That would be ridiculous.
Now, last week we had Mrs Griffiths, one of the School’s receptionists, offering us lies. This is what she told us.
- Everyday, while working at the School, Mrs Griffiths does chair yoga exercises for at least 4 hours
- Mrs Griffiths studied Japanese for two years
- Mrs Griffiths became profoundly deaf on one side after being involved in an emergency landing in an aircraft while working as a member of the cabin crew
So where is the truth here?
Well, it turns out that Mrs Griffiths was involved in an emergency landing while working as cabin crew. While doing that job, she also studied Japanese for two years. What this means is that she doesn’t do 4 hours of chair yoga a day, though she looks like someone who probably could if she chose to…
Which brings us to this week’s musically themed contribution from Mrs Clarke. Can you pick the truths out of this claptrap?
- Mrs Clarke’s mother is the famous singer Petula Clark (she removed the ‘e’ from her surname for her stage name)
- Mrs Clarke once sat next to 90s pop icon (!!) Peter Andre on a flight to Japan
- The first album Mrs Clarke bought was Jason Donovan’s ‘Ten Good Reasons’
(Editor’s note: for those unaware of Jason Donovan’s work, I can point you towards this albums biggest hit single ‘Especially for You’, a collaboration with Kylie Minogue, which stained the charts for what seemed like months at the time).
So, what is not true here? Find out next week!
CONNECTION CORNER
Well done to the everyone who had a go at last week’s Connection Corner. Merits go to all those who correctly guessed that the answers were all Flowers. Big shout out to Rishi V, Richard C, Kahana M, Alex A, Eliott P, Charlie F and Reuben N.
Another tricky one this week, see if you can spot the connection:
What is the Welsh symbol? Daffodil
What is the name of the character played by Kate Winslet in Titanic? Rose
Digitalis is a drug used to treat heart disease and is commonly derived from what? Foxglove
What is the coloured tissue at the front of the eye that contains the pupil called? The iris
Connection: Types of flowers (Daffodil, Rose, Foxglove and Iris)
