Welcome to the Third Year Blog!
Welcome back everyone and a special welcome to all the new Hamptonians who have just joined us! The Third Year Blog brings all the BIG NEWS from the Third Year to you every week and, although we are only one week into the new term there’s already a lot to report…
The Third Year Blog is very similar to the Second Year Blog, except it is for Third Years – as the carefully considered name of the ‘Third Year Blog’ would suggest.
Every week, we aim to bring the BIG NEWS from the Third Year (not the Second Year – that would be the ‘Second Year Blog’). One might think that there would be a dearth of news in week one (well, week two, but I’m not sure two days really counts as a week), but that is not the case here.
So, what has happened?
Beyond the underlying excitement of a new School year, there was the Co-curricular Fair last Friday, offering more clubs than you could imagine. Whether you want to go to a Spanish fiesta every Thursday lunchtime (see Ms Embiricos for more details), or you want to hone your locking, body popping and break dancing skills (Mr Berezhnoi is your man there), or become a cryptic crossword expert (Only number expertise can successfully link something to feed the farm animals and a decades old console – if you know, you know), the Co-curricular Fair had something for you. The Third Year Blog looks forward to hearing about all the new interests that you have found!
Then on Thursday this week there was Teambuilding Day, which was an obvious success, even if there are some members of the year who from the looks of it might still be trying to work out how to successfully walk 30 yards as a group of five on two planks as they move into the Sixth Form. When you add in the excitement of the first set of weekend sports fixtures, international chess success (report below), a Hampton pilot (report below), a sparkling musical performance (report below), a quiz (at the bottom of the blog) and a teacher willing to shamelessly lie through his teeth (see below) we find ourselves with a full blog. Let’s get into it!
Heads of Year Message
We were delighted to see the smiling faces, energy and enthusiasm as Third Year pupils returned to School last week after a well-deserved summer break. Whether a returning Second Year pupil or joining from a Prep School, all have started the school year remarkably well. They are settling into new Form Groups well, demonstrated by the many positive comments we have received from Third Year Form Tutors and subject teachers who have been impressed with their early interactions with their Third Year classes – well done everyone! The boys have also responded well to the challenge of familiarising themselves with a new timetable, new classrooms, new Form Tutors and new subject teachers, so we hope they will enjoy some much-needed rest over the weekend.
There are a few important pieces of advice that we want to emphasise to the boys at this early stage of the school year. Firstly, they are always welcome to speak to us, their Form Tutors and/or their Sixth Form Mentors on any subject, but especially if they have a question or a problem relating to School life that they need help with. In particular, they can find us in the Third Year office during morning break time on any Thursday when we operate an “open door” session for pupils. We will also be available on Friday morning break times to sign off Academic Merits and Lion Merits. We ask all Third Year pupils to be themselves and be kind to themselves over the coming days and weeks. The exertions of starting a new term in a new environment are very challenging, so they must give themselves time and space to rest, sleep at night, eat well and stay hydrated. It may take a little time to feel completely settled (and this is to be expected), but the boys should be calm and authentic in their interactions with teachers and peers. Finally, we want to set the boys some aims for the year, and we will re-emphasise these at our first Year Group Assembly in a couple of weeks’ time. We hope these will act as guiding principles for their time in the Third Year:
- 1) Aim for personal best in everything you do at School – academic endeavour; co-curricular engagement; interactions with teachers and peers.
- 2) Be kind to everyone in the School community.
- 3) Get involved in as many aspects of School life as you can.
- 4) Speak up if you or someone else needs assistance, or if you get things wrong – be an “upstander” not a bystander.
Given the aim to “get involved”, we were very pleased to see a full turnout at the Co-Curricular Fair on Friday 6 September. Third Years should resolve to try out at least one new club (beyond sports practices) this half term.
Teambuilding Day was a great success on Thursday. We were delighted to see all Third Year pupils taking part in teambuilding activities so energetically and enthusiastically throughout the day. We know that this is just one step in the integration process, but it was great to see the boys having fun whilst learning about effective communication, problem solving, and working as a team. Congratulations to Form 3J for taking the early lead in the Interform Competition by winning the event!
Parents will have received separate communication about Open Morning (Saturday 21 September) and will receive a letter from us in advance of Parents’ Pastoral Forum (Monday 7 October). All Third Year pupils are expected to attend Open Morning to assist (unless they are involved in an away sports fixture on that day). Please email Dr Hendry (s.hendry@hamptonschool.org.uk) and us if this presents an issue. Pastoral Forum presents parents with an opportunity to meet with their son’s Form Tutors along with the parents of other pupils in the Form Group. We will facilitate discussions about pastoral matters pertinent to this Year Group and present a range of information to parents. We hope that many parents will be able to attend this event – sign up details will be included in the letter.
We have high hopes for the new Third Year boys and we are really looking forward to supporting each of them and helping them to achieve their potential this year.
Best wishes
Mr Rigby & Mr Moore
BBC Proms
In August, I was lucky enough to be given the wonderful opportunity to sing in the BBC Proms. The BBC Proms is a series of Classical music concerts performed during July and August at the Royal Albert Hall. The Proms are televised and shown on the BBC and Radio 3. It was started in 1895 and has happened annually ever since.
I sang for Prom 37 which was Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. Britten’s war requiem is a monumental piece written for two orchestras, two choirs, three soloists and some trebles (of which I was one). It was conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano and played by the London Symphony Orchestra. We rehearsed in the LSO’s rehearsal rooms for the week before, and then at the Albert Hall on the day. The trebles were asked to learn it all off by heart (in Latin) which was quite a lot of work, and we sang from the gallery. It was incredible when it all came together in the final rehearsals and the performance was amazing and we got lots of kind reviews! I sang with 3 of my friends from Chapel Royal (where I sing regularly), and there were also boys from Tiffin Choir and Temple Church. It was an amazing experience and one I will always remember.
Report from Monti S (3C)
Chess Champion
In July, Jai K(3G) took part it the First Unicorn International Chess Tournament, which was held in India, taking winning the championship in his age category – a remarkable achievement. The Third Year Blog took the time to speak to him about it.
Third Year Blog: Firstly, congratulations! What an achievement! How many players were you competing against?
Jai K: There were about 300 players in total.
TYB: What were your hopes and expectations in advance of the tournament? Did you think you could win?
JK: I really wanted to perform at my best and to learn and grow from the experience. But I didn’t think I could win this tournament beforehand.
TYB: Were you nervous when you were competing?
JK: To be honest, I was so focused on my game that I didn’t feel nervous at all once the competition started.
TYB: At what stage in your final match did you realise you had won? How did you feel at that moment?
JK: I realised about my win when I was playing my last game. I felt over the moon as I could make my parents proud.
TYB: That must have been a great moment! Were there any particular moves or victories that you were especially proud of?
JK: Yes. In one of the rounds, I realised I was losing the game and then, by carefully analysing the pieces on the board, I managed to turn the game which help me win the round.
TYB: Thank you for talking to us about it and congratulations once again!
A Hamptonian takes flight
Last December on my birthday, my parents wanted to give me something special, so they decided for arrange for me to have the opportunity to fly a plane. As it was winter, and the weather is very stormy I had to wait until the summer for this to be able to happen. On 29 June, the day of my 30-minute plane on the Cessna 152 flight came. We travelled to the Redhill Aviation Flight Centre which is near Gatwick Airport. I was going to fly the plane once it was in the air, and a trained pilot was next to me who would do the lift off and the landing.
When I was in the air it was nerve wracking and even though I was steering the plane, I would get scared each time I changed direction. I was almost too focused on not doing anything wrong to admire the stunning view from below! When I landed, I realised that it would be an experience I would never forget.
Report by Aiden F (3F)
Football
Hampton U14A 5 – 0 Winchester College U14A
Hampton’s U14A team embarked on their first game of the season versus Winchester College at home at 2pm in what turned out to be a dominant display from the home side. The Hampton side, who had only won six out of their previous 14 games last season were excited to see four new Third Year joiners ready to make their debut for Hampton. Mr Hooper’s side lined up in a 4-3-3 formation ready to take on their first opponents of the new academic year.
After a delayed start due to the Winchester College late arrival, the game was end-to-end. Winchester threatened in behind with some quick forwards whereas Hampton looked superior with the ball at their feet. After an early chance for Winchester was missed, Hampton took total control of the ball, helped by an excellent midfield partnership of Cillian C and Dean F. The first goal of the game was an excellent volley from the debutante Jack T at around the 25-minute mark. 1-0 heading into the half-time interval.
More Hampton pressure followed during the second half, with Charlie L finishing a simple chance assisted by Macsen B. The Hampton attack suffocated the Winchester back line throughout the second half, with Ollie S scoring twice and Luke M also converting. Hampton saw out the rest of the fixture comfortably, creating chances with the score ending 5-0 to the home side who look forward to a long trip to Bede’s School next Saturday in the U14 Independent League.
Report by Charlie L (3F)
Team building Day
Team Building Day is about building teams. Similarly to the Third Year Blog, the clue is in the title. Many teams were built and it was wonderful to see and hear the enjoyment that the year group got from trying to complete the tasks they were set, even in the face of a brief hail shower at the end. Special mention must go to the Sixth Form mentors who were there to offer guidance, support and, amongst the more unscrupulous ones, their own recollection of how to most quickly succeed at the tasks. They did an excellent job.
The video below captures the spirit of the day and is well worth a watch.
Of course, there is a sharper end to the Team Building Day! It is the opening competition of the battle for the Williams Cup, the Third Year Interform trophy.
So, who took an early lead?
- 3J
- 3F
- 3C
- 3G
- 3H
- 3B
- 3D
- 3E
- 3A
Well done to 3J. The rest of the year will see plenty more events offering Interform points – the Williams Cup is still very much up for grabs!
The Writers’ Room
Here at Hampton, we like certainty and clarity when it comes to naming things, as evidenced earlier and continued by the aptly named The Writers’ Room. Starting on the 26 September, the club meets on Thursday lunchtimes, between 12.40 and 1.15pm. In this wonderful space (in the English department, next to the English office in room F71), there is the opportunity for Third Years to try out creative writing, ably supported and guided by Mrs Pickford Scienti. We would strongly recommend giving it a go if you have any interest in creative writing or if you are interested in taking the chance to let your imagination run wild.
Two truths and a lie
Each week, the Third Year Blog will ask a member of the Third Year form tutor team to offer two truths about themselves, along with a lie. Your task will be to work out which ‘fact’ is a fiction. The first teacher willing to undermine their own credibility is Mr Green, Form Tutor for 3H and Assistant Head of Year.
Below are his three outlandish claims.
- Mr Green has an irrational dislike of men wearing scarves indoors.
- Mr Green makes his own butter.
- Mr Green’s favourite colour is green.
Which is the lie? Find out next week…
Connection Corner
Introducing you to the very first Connection Corner of the year, our fiendish weekly Third Year Quiz! Have a go at answering the following quiz questions! Once you’ve got your answers, see if you can spot a connection that links them…
