Welcome to the First Year Blog!
Two weeks to go. Just enough time to sprint, skip and maybe even conga our way to the finish line.
It finally feels like summer has arrived at Hampton, with sunshine making a very welcome comeback and lifting spirits across the School. It has certainly added an extra bounce to proceedings, from Interform Athletics where records were chased, to a Charity Fun Run that proved it is not always about speed but about spirit, teamwork and a bit of creative obstacle‑dodging along the way. Even the golf course got a share of the sunshine, with some First Years driving, chipping and putting their way through a thoroughly enjoyable day.
As we head into these final two weeks, it is important to remember that how we finish matters just as much as how we started. You made a fantastic first impression back in September, and now is your opportunity to leave a lasting one. Keep making positive choices, supporting one another and taking pride in everything you do, right through to the final bell.
This Saturday, we also have the pleasure of welcoming our incoming First Years. To those visiting, a very warm Hampton welcome. You are joining a year group that has set a brilliant tone, and we cannot wait for you to be part of it.
SPRINT AND SUCCESS
The results are FINALLY in from the Interform Athletics event last half term. We were so impressed with the teamwork, effort, and effort that you all put in to end the assessment week. Drum roll please…
1st – 1L
2nd – 1W
3rd – 1F
4th – 1H
5th – 1B
6th – 1G
7th – 1J
8th – 1P
FUN RUN FRENZY
This Monday the entire First Year had taken part in an Interform Fun Run during lunch, to raise money for our Form Charity partners. There were many obstacles on the fun run, such as hurdles that we had to crawl under and step over and poles we had to snake ourselves around. Everyone was encouraging and supporting each other and no man was left behind, if a member of the form was struggling or tracking behind, we would wait without hesitation and cheer them on. My class (1G) made up a chant about palm trees to raise everyone’s spirit. Truly, the most special thing about it was that it brought the whole form together. This will stay in my memory for a long time. I hope my class will win this interform competition!
By Sheldon C (1G)
On Monday, everyone in First and Second Year took part in a fun run on the School fields. Our start was at 1pm, and by that time we were ready to go. We gathered by the big tree all wearing our grey Hampton t-shirts, given to us back in September at Avon Tyrrell (how long ago that feels), eager and excited to begin. I had imagined it would be just a simple run around the fields, like the HAFA or something similar, but as we watched another form do their fun run, we discovered that it would not be as simple as we had expected. It was like a group obstacle course!
After we discussed team tactics, Miss Holt called us over and gave us the brief. First, we were to weave through some poles, followed by sit-ups, skipping, roly-polies, sausage rolls, hopping through ladder nets and hopping on floor-dots. We were ready to take on the challenges.
We had lots of fun going round the course, singing sports chants as we went (except putting a 1L spin on them). The weaving we even did in a conga line! It was a very fun experience, and we showed great spirit in our teamwork. I cannot wait to do more fun stuff like this in the future!
By Alex B (1L)
This Monday, all the First Year forms participated in the Charity Fun Run. We were judged not by how fast we ran, but by how much team spirit we showed through things like form chants. We wore our T-shirts from Avon Tyrrell for the day, reminding us of when we first got to know each other well. After we dropped our bags by a tree on the fields, we began the Fun Run. The run itself was through an obstacle course. In the middle, there were also sections where we had to do a few exercises to progress, such as sit-ups.
After making our way through the various sections of the run, we shouted our form chant as we crossed the finish line. Overall, we had a lot of fun darting around the course. The run raised money for our annual Form Charities, which are as follows: Single Homeless Project, UCLH Cancer Fund and Save the Children. What a great way to have fun while supporting a just cause!
By Hiu Yeung K (1P)
TEE TIME TRIUMPH
This Wednesday, I went to the Richmond Schools’ Golf competition. It was my first time playing golf for Hampton, and as my favourite sport, I was very excited to be part of the First Year Hampton team.
The older boys went to Fulwell Golf Course, and we played at the David Lloyd 9-hole golf course in Hampton. The weather was perfect – warm, dry and a gentle breeze. A practice green greeted us at the entrance – where we all practised our putting before the game started.
As we prepared to start the game, I must admit I was a little nervous as it was my first proper match. I teed off at approximately 12.30pm and played my first shot to start off my game. The ground on the course was very uneven – a good excuse as to why my perfect shot on hole 3 went in the water! Overall, I was happy with my game – playing some very good drives, putts, and chips. Finishing with a respectable score, although I feel like I could have done better. The round took approximately two and a half hours – thirsty work!
A quick bite to eat before we had a putting contest for the Hampton boys. Then the overall presentations. Sadly, we did not win overall but a few First Year boys did scoop up some prizes. I thoroughly enjoy golf and it teaches important skills like discipline, teamwork, respect and confidence. I look forward to growing in the game and play regularly with my father who is a great golfer. Unlike many other sports golf shows age is not a limit. It was a fun day out, and I hope to do it again next year. In the meantime, back to the driving range!
By Ethan V (1F)
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 Will D (1P) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week.
Will always has a smile on his face, is kind to others and is a model Hamptonian. Well done Will!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
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 Mr Jimenez (v.jimenez@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 LION merit by your Form Tutor the following Monday. And who knows – you might get to know the School better in the process!
Last week’s challenge: Where would you find this iconic piece of art? The answer is outside the lecture theatre/in the atrium! Big shout out to Sheldon C, Hiu Yeung K, Aryun R, John L, Kayan A, Alex D, Krishna T, Alex W, Barney D, Divam J, Mikaeel K, Arthur S, George U, Finley S, Ted D, Sam W, Jack D, Dominic B, Mahir O, Yuvi O, Julian H, Mahad H, Arthur C, Jack M, Kevin W, Alex B, Rishaan G, Max T, Thomas D, Arav B, Edin H, Al M, Nicholas M, Cyrus T, Ronak B, Koye O, Ethan V, Arjun A, Aaahil U, Sam P, Shrey S, Jamie O and Owen S-W.
This week’s challenge:
Which species of tree can be found in the Cloisters?
