WELCOME TO THE FIRST YEAR BLOG!
First Years have had a rip-roaring week with two trips – one to Windsor Castle with the History Department and the other to the glorious South Downs with Geography. I was able to join the Windsor trip and it was very special to visit the grave of Queen Elizabeth II at the Chapel Royal (also where Prince Harry and Megan were married). We have a rich selection of reports from our bloggers on both outings as well as a report on No Limits Lessons Day.
Meanwhile, the conkers are falling and the rain has been intense. I am pleased to see that many fixtures went ahead this week and we have also been promised a particularly beautiful autumn caused by the combination of a wet spring and the absence of frost so far.
South Downs Adventure
Yuvan M (1P) tells us all about this week’s Geography Trip to the South Downs:
On Monday, half of the First Year went on an action-packed field trip to the South Downs. Although the weather forecast looked grim, we managed to dodge the rain and have an amazing hike. As soon as we arrived, we started our climb up a bridleway that was steep and slippery to start. As we reached the top of the first hill, we enjoyed incredible views and we realised that we had climbed more than 200 metres. We learned about OS map symbols and there were plenty of merits up for grabs for answering questions! After lunch, we walked past the beautiful Devil’s Dyke, a WW2 fort and a triangulation pillar marking the highest point on our walk. Whether it was learning we were walking on dead fish or discussing the benefits of placing a village next to a hill, this was a great day out.
And more from Armaan R (1L):
The trip was fun but also hard and exhausting as we trekked 7km along the top of an escarpment. The highlight came at the end of the day when we saw a brilliant valley called Devil’s Dyke. We heard a legend that a devil had come there many years ago intending to dig the earth up, the locals had made a deal that he would leave at sunrise, and shone a bright light in the East which chased the devil away. South Downs is a large group of hills, hillocks and large escarpments located near the seaside town of Brighton. As we neared the base level of the Downs, there were clumps of tall trees that were waltzing in the gale. As we began to ascend one of the hills, we were engulfed in an assortment of plants, some with nettles, some with bendy stems and long swishy grass that were embracing each other, to watch the poignant scenery and people trudging up the hill.
Also enjoying nature on the South Downs was Reyansh K (1L):
The ascent was very steep and slippery which was evident from the gashes in the mud and the saturated ground from the rain. As we reached the top, we settled down on the grass and waited until our Geography teacher Mr Bett. We learned about chalk, which was abundant from Winchester to Eastbourne. We learned about escarpments – which are long steep hills – and we learned there were natural sources of water nearby that came from the springs. We also learned that chalk was impermeable, meaning no water can pass through it.
Right Royal Windsor
Meanwhile the other half of the year group travelled back in time at Windsor Castle. Rahim K (1B) tells us what they got up to:
On Monday we went to Windsor Castle, the oldest castle in the world! It is almost 1,000 years old and was first constructed in the 11th century by William the Conqueror though many kings such as Edward III have helped modernise it. The castle is built on the border of London to help protect the capital city from invaders from the West. Many important historical figures have been buried there including Henry VIII and George VI and most recently our late Queen Elizabeth II. Windsor Castle was not just placed where it was for any random reason. It is exactly 20 miles away from two other castles built by William the Conqueror forming a ring around London. Windsor is a motte and bailey castle meaning that the original castle was built on a mound of earth so the guards can see into the distance. Visiting the castle was an amazing experience and we learned so many facts!
And more from James C (1H):
As I arrived at Windsor Castle, I saw the huge castle towering like a giant over me. The castle had huge stone turrets and heavy iron doors. There was a colossal grass slope around the castle. My class slowly walked into the courtyard and entered the learning centre and answered a few questions related to Windsor Castle’s past. We then went inside the castle. There were many paintings of famous monarchs such as King Henry VIII. The ceilings were decorated with images of gods and goddesses and tapestries were hung on the wall. China plates and silk were displayed in glass cupboards. In a massive hall, I saw a grand piano that was made so that it could fit inside a dolls house! All the details were there, and I think it was the most impressive thing I saw in the castle. I learnt that Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror and he built castles all over England when he ruled it and Windsor Castle was one of them. In my opinion, I think that the trip was fascinating, interesting and an amazing experience.
No Limits Lessons Day
Rohan G (1J) tells us all about this year’s No Limits Lessons Day, when Hamptonians were encouraged to engage with their subjects in new and exciting ways.
On 4 October, we had a much-awaited school event where teachers teach their pupils in a different, exciting way. I wanted to share some of the special moments here. In Spanish class, we lined up as if we were going through customs at a Spanish airport and we answered questions that the teacher asked us in Spanish! In Physics we went outside to do a lesson on estimation. We estimated the size of the School football fields, the number of bricks in the History Department wall and many other things. Did you know there are roughly 4,800,000,000 – 24,000,000,000 blades of grass on the School fields? All the lessons were incredibly fun, and we had an amazing time.
Take a look at just some of the lessons that took place on No Limits Lessons Day:
TALK!
Great to see so many of you at the first Talk! of the academic year. Hot on the heels of Lord Patten, we hear from distinguished foreign correspondent Nick Bryant, one of the most knowledgeable and respected commentators on the US.
With only weeks to go before the US Election, Nick joins us live from Sydney, Australia to chat about all things politics. There’s no need to book a ticket, just come along to the Hammond Theatre next Tuesday 15 October at 1pm.
Find out more here.
Food Bank Collection
Next Friday is our first collection for Feltham Food Bank. They are particularly in need of instant coffee, sugar, vegetable noodles, tinned meat, fruit squash and basmati rice. Please bring your donations to the front of School from 8.15am. Thank you!
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 Jonathan G (1P) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week.
Jonathan always has a smile on his face, shows great leadership, and has a positive, ‘can do’ attitude about everything!
SPECIAL SHOUTOUTS!
Big shout out to Henry M (1W) on his recent swimming success. Henry competed in his first swimming competition of the season last weekend and won not one, not two, not three….but seven medals! What an achievement – well done Henry!
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 Mrs Whitwam (v.whitwam@hamptonschool.org.uk)
TALK!
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 Mrs Whitwam (v.whitwam@hamptonschool.org.uk)
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 you will get to know the School better in the process.
Last week’s challenge: Where might you find a Doctor Who Tardis? Lots of you said that it was outside the Garrick but in the last few weeks it’s time travelled to just outside the Design and Engineering department overlooking the School fields! Well done to Edward G, Lucas O’C, Reyansh K, Armaan R, Felix R, Lucas F, Sebastian Y, Theo R, Alexander C, Harri C, Eli M, Sebastian G, Ryan A, Joshin F, Toby S, Sami D, Oliver J, James C, James S, Ojas P and Aarav S for getting it right and entering your answer in last week’s blog! Make sure you collect a merit from your Form Tutor next week!
If you did know the answer but didn’t enter it into the blog last week, make sure you do so this week as it won’t count otherwise!
This week’s challenge:
Find the heaviest element printed on the stone benches in the quad?
Enter your answer here:
