Translation Success, Chemistry Project Club & Connection Corner!

WELCOME TO THE THIRD YEAR BLOG!

And we’re back! The two-week October half term always feels like a pivot point as the year switches from sitting in the gentle warmth of the end of summer to being fully ensconced in autumn. The roads of Hampton are choked with leaves and by the time the coaches leave in the afternoon to take everyone home, dusk is well on its way.

One might think that this could lead to a lowering of spirits, or a dampening of enthusiasm… not a bit of it! As the blog below shows, the Third Year have been throwing themselves in to a huge array of activities and interests.

Of course, on occasion it can feel that while the pupils are doing all these remarkable things, they all agree before returning to School that when asked by their Form teacher what the best bit of half term was, the answer must be ‘sleeping’ and when asked how they are feeling, the answer must be ‘tired’ (this is well known as the ‘Hamptonian paradox’). The Third Year Blog simply sits back and continues to be amazed at how much all these brutally fatigued young men are managing to squeeze in to their lives.
So, without any further ado, let’s see what’s been going on…

HEADS OF YEAR MESSAGE

We trust that everyone enjoyed the half term holiday. It was great to receive such a positive report from the Geography department about the behaviour of Third Year pupils whilst on the Tenerife trip over the break – thank you and well done to all those involved. Well done to everyone for making a purposeful start to the half term this week. We hope that the Grade Card reflection exercise the boys completed on Monday will focus their minds on the task ahead. We ask that all pupils commit to high standards in school – aiming to impress in all they do in the classroom and through co-curricular activities.

No Limits Week

We are very excited about the return of No Limits Week. We encourage all Third Year pupils to take a full and active part in the co-curricular activities on offer starting Monday 18 November, recognising that many clubs will make an extra effort to put on activities that are suitable for newcomers on a “have a go” basis. Every pupil will need to get sign off having attended three co-curricular clubs/activities in their yellow books. Our recommendation is that everyone should aim to try at least one club/activity that they have never done before. You can review some of the options that will be available here.

Maths Setting Tests
Please can parents direct any queries regarding Third Year Maths setting to Mrs Watson-Evans (M.Watson-Evans@hamptonschool.org.uk) in the Maths department.

Uniform
In the colder weather, boys are allowed to wear sensible hats, coats and gloves to keep warm on their journeys to and from school, but they must revert to full school uniform throughout the school day whilst on site. This means they must wear a school tie (properly tied) and school blazer, with a white shirt (tucked in and buttoned up), smart black trousers, dark socks and smart black shoes (non-trainers). If they are cold, it is permissible to wear a vest under the shirt and/or a black V-neck jumper. Coats should not be worn in school. Persistent failure to meet these uniform requirements is a conduct issue.

Absences
If your son 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 your son’s absence.  For absences other than illness e.g. if a pupil has a dental or medical appointment during School hours, notice of this should be given in advance. For planned absences, please contact Heads of Year requesting the absence with as much notice as possible.

Boys – Please remember to let us, your Form Tutors or the relevant subject teachers know if you are having any difficulties. We hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes
Mr T Rigby & Mr H Moore

Stephen Spender Prize

Every year, pupils from the School are encouraged to enter the Stephen Spender poetry translation competition. Pupils translate a poem from a language of their choice. When in the Second Year, Alex A (3B) entered this competition and this week we were told that he had received a Commendation for his work. Below, he describes the experience and there is a chance to read his outstanding translation.

‘I was given the opportunity to participate in a poetry translation competition. My chosen poem was ‘La Cigale et La Fourmi’, which is part of Les Fables De La Fontaine, a famous collection of a French poet. It was an enjoyable experience and really enhanced my linguistic skills and, if you are interested in language, I’d highly recommend taking the opportunity to get involved in the competition next year.’

Original:
La Cigale, ayant chanté
Tout l’été,
Se trouva fort dépourvue
Quand la bise fut venue.
Pas un seul petit morceau
De mouche ou de vermisseau.
Elle alla crier famine
Chez la Fourmi sa voisine,
La priant de lui prêter
Quelque grain pour subsister
Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle.
« Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle,
Avant l’Oût, foi d’animal,
Intérêt et principal. »
La Fourmi n’est pas prêteuse :
C’est là son moindre défaut.
« Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud ?
Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse.
— Nuit et jour à tout venant
Je chantais, ne vous déplaise.
— Vous chantiez ? J’en suis fort aise.
Eh bien ! Dansez maintenant. »

My translation:
The cicada, having sung
All summer long,
Found herself left with nothing
When the storm was coming.
She had not a single piece
Of a fly nor wormy beast.
She went to cry in hunger
To the ant who was her neighbour,
And she begged for the ant to lend
Some seed to sustain the cicada, its friend
Until the new season.
‘I shall pay you,’ she said with reason
‘Before August. I give an animal’s promise,
Main fee as well as interest.’
The ant has no tendency to lend,
He’s no reason to tie loose ends
‘What do you do in the hot weather?’
To the cicada, said the leader.
‘Night and day, no matter what,
I was singing, like it or not.’
‘You were singing? I’m happy to hear.
And now dance away, out of here.’

National Children’s Orchestra

James N (3E) tells us about his experience playing Viola with the National Children’s Orchestra:

During the Easter and Summer holidays, I attend the National Children’s Orchestra courses, where musicians aged 11-14 come together to learn and perform orchestral music. We play a range of exciting, challenging repertoire in a full orchestra of about one hundred musicians.

In the last course, two of my favourite pieces that we played were Storm by Britten (as it is extremely hard) and Jupiter by Holst (as it is really fast, loud and iconic). I really enjoy these courses as I get to make friends with musicians like me from all over the country and work together to make a big sound! This year, I was awarded the Kathryn Ludlow Viola Prize for leading the section and being very enthusiastic; I was delighted to receive it.

Well done James, a fantastic achievement!

Board games competition

During the half term, I went up to Sheffield with my dad for a card game tournament called Universus. This was my third time going, and I was familiar with most of the people there, even though most of them are much older than I am! Out of the 68 contestants, I came 30th, right in the middle, with three wins and four losses. I had a great time and I would recommend playing board games with your family as they are incredibly fun and are good exercise for the brain.

Report by Luis Y (3B)

Swimming

During the half term break, I had the exciting opportunity to compete for Teddington Swimming Club at the Swim England London Winter Championships. I was thrilled to have qualified for four events in this regional competition, especially since it is typically reserved for older swimmers. In both the 400m and 200m Individual Medleys, I achieved personal best times, which was a great accomplishment. The experience was incredibly valuable, and I’ve learned a lot about my technique and performance.

Looking ahead, I’m hopeful that the times I set at this competition will help me qualify for the Welsh Winter National Championships this December. It’s been an inspiring and motivating step forward in my swimming journey, and I’m excited to see what comes next.

By Nathaniel O (3G)

Chemistry Project Club

Chemistry Project Club takes place on Mondays, 12.35pm in F25. You conduct fun and interesting practicals which you can write up for a CREST Award which is highly regarded later on in life for things like your personal statement for university, while also being challenging and fun. There are six main categories of a CREST award: Star, Super Star, Discovery, Bronze, Silver and Gold. At school, we focus on Bronze, Silver and Gold. At the end of last year, I completed my Bronze award on Electroplating coins and this year I am collaborating with my friends towards my Silver award on making biodegradable polymers. Me and my friends love this club and if you have an interest in chemistry, I highly recommend you should come along and try it out! Alternatively, speak to Dr Puljic in the Chemistry department to find out more.

By James N (3E)

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

Before half term, our liar was Ms Doncel-Cervantes. Here is what she wanted you to believe:

• Ms Doncel Cervantes taught English as a foreign language in a remote village at the foothills of the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador
• Ms Doncel Cervantes was once in a sandstorm in the middle of the night while camping in Death Valley and had to be evacuated by the Park Rangers
• Ms Doncel Cervantes got stung multiple times by a smack of jellyfish far out in the coast of Sardinia on my honeymoon

So, which was the lie? It turns out that Ms Doncel Cervantes did teach English as a foreign language in the foothills of the Chimborazo volcano. One can only assume that the view out of her classroom window was even more startlingly beautiful than the view of the 3G from rooms F38 and F39. She did also get stung by a smack of jellyfish on her honeymoon. Which means that one would assume that the middle suggestion was entirely false. However, that assumption would be false – she did actually get stuck in a sandstorm in the middle of the night while camping in Death Valley. But, she didn’t get evacuated by the Park Rangers – she just spent the night in the car. Personally, the Third Year Blog takes the view that primary lesson to be taken from this is to make sure that they never raise Ms Doncel Cervantes to anger, as she is clearly made of pretty stern stuff!

This week, the upstanding teacher lowering himself with a lie is Mr Wong.

• Mr Wong picked his preferred first name after a fantasy fiction character
• Mr Wong is a deeply experienced handball coach
• Mr Wong’s favourite sport is tennis

Some of these seem much more easily plausible than others, but which is the lie?

CONNECTION CORNER

A big shout out to everyone who had a go at the last Connection Corner and well done those of you who answered all the questions correctly. The correct connection was Elements! Merits go to Matthew L, Joe L, Konrad G, Vayun J, Liam C, Armaan V, Alex G, Oliver Y, Seb D, Isaac D, James G, Siddhant S, Ishaan M, Alp O, Gordon L, Shishir V, Joe B, Seb W, Josh B and Esa S.

Another tricky one this week, have a go over the weekend and see if you can spot the connection: