Welcome to the Fourth Year Blog!
Welcome to the second edition of the Fourth Year Newsletter! This half term, the Fourth Years have been busy in the theatre, on the sports fields, on School trips overseas and in the quiz room! Our writers and editors have been busy summarising the key events of the past few weeks, we hope you enjoy reading about them.
All that’s left to say is Happy Christmas from everyone in the Fourth Year team!
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Hampton School’s fantastic male voice choir Voices of Lions accompanied by lots of pupils and staff members from across the Hampton Trust, ensured everyone is feeling festive as we come to the final day of term. Enjoy the 2024 Christmas video and see if you can you spot anyone you know! 🎄 🎁
Sports Round up
Football
By Sanjit B (4E)
On 12 November, the U15A Football team played an away game against Lingfield School in the third round of their ISFA cup run. However, going uphill in the first half seemed to hinder the team significantly as their “lack of aggression” cost them three goals in the first half. However, an inspiring team talk from Mr Burke at half-time “revved” the team up and the players realised a big performance was needed if they wanted to stay in the competition. A goal from Alex P gave the team much-needed momentum and another goal from Ollie K reduced the deficit to one. A Ben W “masterclass” on the wing secured two more goals and the lead was taken for the first time in the match. Yet, it could have been 4-4 if it weren’t for an acrobatic save from Sam H. Captain James P praised the team for “switching on” in the second half to produce an unlikely result after not being at their sharpest in the first half. The knowledge that they can win from dire positions will no doubt give them confidence for their upcoming cup games and the rest of the season. The As are also through to the sixth round of the ESFA competition after their 4-1 win over Waingels College.
An exciting spring term awaits!
Rugby
By Sanjit B (4E)
On 30 November, the U15A Rugby team played against Reading Blue Coat in a game that was tense from the beginning. Good team spirit was rewarded with an early try from Gui G, after a cross-field kick form Bene B, that gave the team a well-deserved boost and “the enthusiasm to win was on display”. Despite this, Reading Blue Coat scored multiple tries later in the half giving them a significant lead. Putting the first half behind them they applied “tremendous pressure” on the opposition and were rewarded with tries from Atulya S and Matteo B. Suddenly, the U15As found themselves back in the game. After a closely fought second half, they conceded a try late and the game slipped away and ended 17-29. Although a loss isn’t what the team was hoping for, captain Bene B said that the team “Put together some really good plays.” This will undoubtedly give them something to take away and give them confidence for the rest of the season.
Basketball
By Jaime RB (4D)
Last Wednesday came with promises of an entertaining match and entertain it did! Our U15A squad made the trip down to Richard Challoner for a 3.45pm tip off. The journey was short and our boys arrived ready and raring to go. As we arrived, it was clear we were at a numbers disadvantage, but as desperation threatened team morale, captain, Alex L, reminded us that this was a team sport, and the sum of the group was greater than that of the individual. With those wise words we were off. Despite being slightly understaffed, with our seven-man team going against their imposing twelve, the game started off close with Hampton taking an early 6-0 lead. However, that lead was short lived as some sloppy mistakes led to a turnaround for Challoner. The game was neck and neck until the half, where some substitutes were made and Richard Challoner took the momentum from Hampton with some forced turnovers and good stops.
Going into the second half, our energy was down, but Hampton was ready to fight. It was a close second quarter of low scoring, as both teams played very good defence and few baskets were exchanged. Going into the fourth quarter, Hampton were down ten, and despite two three pointers to try to keep the competitive spirit of the game alive, ultimately it was too late. Hampton lost 48-37 to Richard Challoner. Standout performances from Joe T with 8 points and some good late game buckets and Alex L, bringing relentless energy to the game whenever he was on the court. We’ll get them next time as they say!
Interform round up
The Interform competition has been hotly contested again this half term with excellent attendance at all events. From the quick quiz series to Basketball and Rugby, our Fourth Years have enjoyed a wide range of activities. We hope that you enjoy reading Luke F’s round up of the Interform Geography Quiz and Jasper M and Tolu I’s write up of the Interform Charity Quiz as well as Xavier K’s write up on 4C’s famous basketball victory. The latest standings from this term’s Interform competitions can be seen below – there’s not much in it at the top of the leaderboard – and plenty more to come in 2025!
- 4C
- 4A
- 4E
- 4F
- 4H
- 4B
- 4G
- 4J
- 4D
Geography Quiz
By Luke F (4B) and Hamoodi A (4B)
At lunchtime on 18 November, the Interform Geography Quiz took place. Nine forms, with two representatives from each, were to battle out their brains to find who was the ultimate geography whizz. There was a great turnout, with every form making an appearance, and some supporters as well. We went through a couple of interesting rounds, until we reached the final round, in which points were doubled. This made these last questions all the more important, and they were very tough indeed as well. An example of one of these questions was, “The King Yervand gives his name to which country’s capital?” Eventually the quiz ended, and the points were added up, and finally the results came out. With sweating hands of anticipation, Hamoodi and I were crowned champions with a perfect score of 25/25. What made it more impressive, was that neither of us did Geography! I would strongly recommend this for next year.
Basketball
By Xavier K (4C)
It was Form 4C’s time to shine on the basketball courts earlier this week in the Interform Basketball competition. After some hotly-contested group matches, the final pitted 4A against 4C and the team of Xavier, Ruben, Tristan, Jake and Jayden scored in the final minute to give 4A victory! Well done to everyone who took part.
Charity Quiz
By Jasper M (4C) and Tolu I (4C)
On Wednesday 27 November, we took part in a Christmas Charity Quiz. It was a great success with a strong turnout. Each team had around three or four girls from LEH, which made for a fun, competitive atmosphere. The quiz was very close, but in the end, our team came out on top! We worked well together, with everyone contributing and discussing the answers to ensure we were all on the same page. As a sweet reward for our efforts, we enjoyed the chocolate coins that were given as the prize, which added the perfect touch to a great quiz.
Fourth Years abroad!
By James P (4G)
During October half term, both the U15A and B teams embarked on what was a highly anticipated trip to Villarreal. Whilst this was a great chance to face new opposition, it was also a great opportunity to bring the group closer together. Particular highlights included watching a LaLiga match between Villarreal and Getafe, ending in a 1-1 draw. A few days later we were lucky enough to be given a tour of the Villarreal training ground which gave us an insight into what it’s truly like to be a professional in the game. Plus, we were given the opportunity to watch two training sessions, including one First team session. It was breathtaking to see the technical ability of the players first hand, and the intensity at which they trained. However, arguably the most important reason we came, was to play football.
It was a highly successful trip for both sides, with three wins and one draw across four games played, securing an unbeaten record in Spain. Results included a brilliant 14-goal victory by the B team against Roda, whilst the A team also managed a 4-1 win against a skilled Villarreal side. Aiding these victories, were the many training sessions which took place at Villarreal’s training ground. It was truly surreal to play on such pristine pitches, in a professional environment. Overall, it was a fantastic trip creating many lasting memories, which gave us a taste of Spanish football and culture. On behalf of both teams, we would like to thank the Hampton staff for making the trip possible, and to everyone at Villareal for welcoming us.
Tennis trip to Portugal
By Oliver M (4E)
During the October half term around 15 pupils including myself took a plane to Portugal on an exciting tennis trip. We left for five nights and in that time we played lots on tennis, but also went to the beach and swimming pool. On the first few days we practised our skills and perfected our techniques, and by the last two days we played an exciting tournament where there was a prize. One afternoon the coaches brought in a semi professional player and we watched him perform even allowing some of us to play alongside him. Every day we would either go to the beach or pool and it was very enjoyable with the beautiful view from the sandy beach. I would thoroughly recommend this trip as it made some very memorable memories.
By Alex M (4E)
The tennis trip to Portugal was a trip to remember. From the 21 to 27 October, Hampton tennis enthusiasts went on this incredible trip. Three Fourth Years were involved, they were Oliver M, Ambrose B and Alex M (me). Although this trip was mainly tennis based (we played around five hours a day!), we had the opportunity to play padel, go to the beach and swimming pools and relax at the hotel. Padel is a game that everyone enjoyed aside from tennis and it was great to see everyone running out to the courts whenever we got the chance. The training was intense as expected, but very fun and helpful. It may have been tiring, but I think everyone left the trip feeling that they had massively improved as tennis players, whether it was technically or in a match scenario. As the tour came to an end we had a massive singles tournament. In this, people were split into large groups based on skill level and had to fight it out in quick 10 minute matches. Two Fourth Years were able to come out victorious with myself and Oliver M winning in their respective groups and earning a nice tour cap as a reward. I think that my favourite part of the trip was when we had exhibition doubles matches. The coaches brought in a player who had just begun life as a professional tennis player and a select a few (including myself), who had the opportunity to play with or against him in a first to seven doubles format. Overall, it was a great experience and one of the best trips I have been on, if not the best, during my time at Hampton and I would urge anyone with a passion for tennis or just looking for some extra training.
A Christmas Carol
By Daniel M (4A)
On the night of Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November, we performed A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story with Hampton High. Our months of rehearsals after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays had led to this moment and everyone was very excited. I was performing the role of ‘Fred’, Scrooge’s nephew who desperately tries to get his uncle to enjoy Christmas with him. The nights of the performance were undoubtedly long but everyone had a great time and really loved the experience. It was my fourth school production, but for many it was their first and I am sure they found it to be a magical experience. It was also a great experience for everyone taking part in the theatre tech aspect of the production.
The performances went really well and it was incredibly sad to see this journey to come to an end, but we will always be able to look back on this experience as a fond memory where we made friends while having fun and improving our acting skills. A special thanks to Ms Chapman, Mr Thompson and Ms Thomas who made this experience possible.
By Euan S (4A)
This term, I performed in the senior production A Christmas Carol with Hampton High. While I had a couple of ensemble roles throughout the performance, my main role was Scrooge in Act 2 or Young/past Scrooge, this was definitely one of my more enjoyable roles I have had in my productions at Hampton from doing a silly party jig to having to turn into a sinister and grumpy man, it’s safe to say I had a lot of fun. Whilst the rehearsals after school may have made some days feel like a drag, I don’t regret any of it as I was able to be a part of such a brilliant journey and make lots of new friends throughout the time in rehearsals.
Take a look at some of the highlights from the play:
Russian Clay Pottery Workshop
By Will D (4D)
On the afternoon of Wednesday 4 December, I, along with the Hamptonians students studying GCSE Russian GCSE took part in a clay pottery workshop. First of all, we learnt about the rich history and heritage of various styles of pottery, before focussing on the Filimonovo style from the Tula oblast. This is painted in only three colours: green, red and yellow, decorated using a mixture of dots and lines. We attempted, in my case largely unsuccessfully, to make toys in this style. Afterwards we received a pre-made toy, which fascinatingly also acted as a whistle, to paint in the Filimonovo style. Overall, this was an enjoyable and enriching experience that gave an insight into Russian culture, and it was thoroughly appreciated by all participants.
The Road to Wimbledon!
By Ollie C (4D)
I woke up on the morning of the first stage, excited and ready to kick off my journey. If I was able to win the entire tournament across three different stages (local, county and national), I would be granted a spot in the U14 Wimbledon Boys’ singles, so a lot was at stake. After arriving at my local club in the early morning, I was able to greet my early opponents. I knew that I should have the upper hand at this point, but anything can happen during the match. The format was knockout, and I would have to win three in a row to reach the county stage.
As I warmed up for the highly anticipated beginning of this journey, I was informed that we would be playing traditional scoring (first to six games for a set, first to two sets). Although I usually prefer a “fast four” format, it didn’t worry me. I greeted my opponent and began. I cruised through the first match, quickly winning the first two sets and I was even able to pick up a lengthy break before the next match. Fortunately, I followed up my first with a second victory. I was feeling extremely confident on the day, and believed I had one hand on the second stage. And my prediction seemed to be correct, but not in the fashion I had hoped for. As usual, I gained an early lead and took the first set. But just as we started the second, my unfortunate opponent got injured, leading to an automatic forfeit from him. Although not a spectacular victory, it got the job done and I headed home that afternoon with my head held high.
A couple of weeks later, it was time for the county stage. This time, there would be 16 participants, so I would have to win four on the trot to make it to the national finals. I knew I had my work cut out for me, as some opponents were very strong. Looking up at the board, I scanned the path I would have to take. It wasn’t a particularly treacherous road, but there was the possibility of a seeded player or two in the way. But I put that behind me and got started. Just as I had hoped, the first match went by smoothly. I started just as I meant to continue, by taking the first set 6-1, before snatching the second 6-3. I watched my next potential opponents play as I waited, which surprisingly resulted in an early departure by the no. 2 seed. However, I didn’t take this as an immediate positive as my new opponent was likely full of confidence and ready for me next. So, as I got warmed up for my next obstacle, a few nerves started to set in. A mistake here, and all my progress would be gone. Losing was simply not an option. So, as I always like to do, I quickly grabbed the first set 6-3, hopefully shaking up my opponent. But he came back quickly, stunning me by dragging me all the way into a tiebreak. These were the situations I dreaded, as it often comes down to a couple of good shots to win matches in this scenario. But after taking a deep breath, I was able to grab myself a handful of match points and took one of them.
But now what I had feared most had come in my way, a seeded adversary. The no.3 seed, to be exact. Even when I was warming up with him, I noticed his consistency and how he seemed to possess a powerful backhand, which is unusual at a young age. Needless to say, it was going to take a strong performance to overturn this barrier. But a strong performance is exactly what I put out in the first set, snatching a cheeky 7-5 win. But all was not over, as he ravaged me with a 6-1 win, leaving me devastated and at rock bottom. I had all but thrown in the towel, but after a few words of motivation from my parents, I took back to the court like an injured soldier. And I responded with a few audacious moves, bamboozling my rival and walking away with a 6-4 win.
And then, it came to this. One match for a spot in the national finals, a chance to compete with the very best for a spot in the prestigious, world-famous Wimbledon. But there was a problem. My opponent was the no.1 seed, and an absolute bruiser of a gentleman. If I had encountered this man anywhere else but an U14 tournament, I would think he had a 9-5 job. So, of course, my hopes were low. But I knew I would try my very best to put on a decent attempt, for myself and the surprisingly substantial crowd that had formed to watch this final. As I lined up for war, my heart was racing. This was for it all. This was for the chance to compete at the highest level. It was time to represent myself and show what I could do.
Sadly, I lost heavily. Every time I dared to try and return a serve it felt like my life was on the line. My racket felt like it was going to snap every time I hit the ball, and the flash of his groundstrokes made me feel like I was playing Zeus, or some omnipotent being. I ended up scrambling around at the baseline the whole match, never once daring to step into the service boxes for fear of death, except to shake his hand at the end of the match.
Even though the final result didn’t go as planned, I had thoroughly enjoyed the “Road to Wimbledon” tournament and will certainly be back next year.
Personalised playing Cards
Form 4A have been very busy this term, let’s hear more about it from Euan S (4A):
Everyone in 4A enjoys playing cards but unfortunately the pack of cards we brought in at the beginning of term has been so well used that the cards started to disintegrate. So we all decided to make our very own 4A personalised deck of cards. We ran a poll, where everyone chose which card they would like to be. I chose the joker. We’re all really pleased with the results and are looking forward to many more card games ahead!
Take a look at just some of the cards below:
So Long Brennan!
Fourth Year footballers bid a fond farewell to Brennan C (4E) today with a special presentation from his fellow U15B teammates who said goodbye by giving him a signed shirt.
Dan Lock Lecture
By Rory M (4A)
On Thursday 27 November, Hampton welcomed Dan Lock a successful investment banker who was here to persuade us to take History A Level, and how it has helped him with a career in the City. Mr Lock first set out the nature of the City and how there are numerous professions that each interact with each other in different ways. He also provided helpful advice on how you can make yourself appealing to these companies by not only taking a variety of humanities and sciences at A Level, but also by doing internships which provide valuable opportunities to learn the workings of these professions. He also summarised some key points in his career as an investment banker and how doing a humanities A Level was a huge benefit to his career as he learned to write analytically, exploring various points of view before concluding persuasively with a recommended outcome that he strongly believes to be correct.
It was a pleasure listening to Mr Lock speak and I am grateful to have heard about the real world long -term benefits of a subject which I so greatly enjoy.
Chess
Challengers Part II
By Alex L (4D)
Having recovered from the previous day, I sat down early at my board with 3.5 points out of 5. My goal for today was to get at least 3/4, as that was what I had considered enough to get into the tie breaks and subsequently qualify for the Terafinal (top two players qualify). I was happy to be starting this day off with the white pieces, against an opponent who I have played two months prior to this event, our game ending in an early draw. I meditated for some time, before shaking my opponent’s hand and starting the clock. Coming out of a good position from the opening, I had the right plans with a few inaccuracies along the way. The game continued to a tight endgame with both of us low on time, in which I had come out on top and confidently secured my first win of the day.
Immediately, I was challenged in round 7, the second match of the day. My opponent was the current second placed scorer with a half-point lead over me, a 2014 rated player who was along the top 10 U14 players in the country. With the white pieces for the second time today, I knew that a big result was needed, if I had wanted to overtake him. This time the opening wasn’t as good, after which I was placed in an equal position with less time than my opponent. I needed something crazy. Out of intuition, backed up with immense calculation I struck, and struck well, for the first time during this game my opponent wasn’t as confident, draining his time down to near mine. Being an exchange up (having a rook for a knight), I continued to simplify the position, getting closer and closer to my desired win, until my opponent had stopped the clock and offered me a handshake.
I only had 15 minutes before the next game, as me and my opponent were last to leave the playing hall, showing just how brutal and lengthy this game was. Gobbling up food, I tried to calm down for the next game. Funnily enough, my next opponent wasn’t any easier, it was my friend Sebastian, a 2027 rated chess speedster who is having a comeback, having suffered a rough start. Trying my best to focus on the game, I shock my out-of-game friend’s hand and prepared to beat my current opposition. The game was a creative one, with opening theory quickly left behind, transporting us forward, into the vast middlegame. With a slight disadvantage and a more enclosed position, commonly had with the black pieces I traded off a bishop pair, quickly realising my mistake. The bishop that I had was necessary for my defence, without which a disastrous kingside attack was launched onto me, putting on positional pressure, as well as the one of time, which just seemed to not be needed by my friend. I defended on all sides, playing first engine line moves, however the pressure was building up. Suddenly but expectedly, my position collapsed, unable to hold the two flanks at the same time. Shortly after, for the second time in this tournament, a sense of dread filled my body as I extended my arm to my talented friend and paused the clock, ‘I resign’. These two words haunted me as I left the hall, surely meaning the end of my journey to the Terafinal, nothing could save me now. Right?
Final part in the next newsletter!
Shoebox Appeal
Hamptonians spent the week organising, filling, and wrapping over 100 shoeboxes to donate to Solace Women’s Aid. Solace is a leading specialist charity in the UK supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The lifesaving support that Solace provides to over 20,000 women, children and young people each year is so important. Each form donated items including stationery, toys, vital hygiene products, games and so much more. The donations will certainly make a huge impact on those in need and the life changing work that Solace do. On behalf of Form Charity and Solace, we would like to thank all Hampton staff and pupils for their valuable contributions to the shoebox appeal this Christmas.
Thank you to everyone who contributed!
