Hampton@Home: 15 January 2021

Welcome to the first spring term edition of our weekly Hampton@Home digital newsletter as we collectively undergo a further period of national lockdown and school site closures. I should like to take this opportunity to express my personal thanks and admiration to boys, colleagues and parents alike for embracing the resumption of our guided home learning programme (e-Hampton 2.0!) with such diligence, ingenuity and good-humoured resilience – it is clear that these attributes are continuing to serve our School community well during the latest manifestations of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keeping our collective spirits up remains of paramount importance in these challenging times, particularly with the colder and darker winter months upon us. As you will read in this edition of H@H, our excellent School Captains team will be appearing in Monday’s e-assembly to speak about the importance of looking after our mental health and wellbeing during lockdown and to suggest ways in which Hamptonians can support one another with characteristic togetherness. Their presentation has been inspired by the Samaritans ‘Brew Monday’ campaign, which encourages people to take a moment to stop what they are doing and connect (in a Covid-conscious way) with a friend, colleague or family member over a cup of tea.

This week’s e-newsletter also offers insight into just some of the creative online lessons at e-Hampton this week and there is an update on the lateral flow testing that is happening in the recently-established facility in our transformed North Gym. The system is working well and it is certainly proving helpful in maintaining our on-site provision for critical workers’ children.

There are two fresh H@H challenges for us to attempt and I intend to put both of these on my weekend ‘to-do’ list. Saturday morning is earmarked to try out Mr Mills’ latest press-up challenge, after which I might well reward myself by following Monsieur Chaveneau’s video instructions for preparing crêpes – bon appétit!

Finally, I am delighted to let you know that renowned raconteur and TV/radio presenter Gyles Brandreth will next week be opening our new virtual series, Thursday Night In. This weekly offering will give Hamptonians and their families a perfect opportunity to sit down together, relax and be entertained for 40 minutes (the duration of a Hampton lesson!). Our first host has generously agreed to share his 7 Secrets of Happiness with us and I encourage you to book your place for what is bound to be an engaging, witty and amusing online occasion.

I hope that all Hamptonians and their families are able to enjoy the weekend, rest well and get plenty of fresh air. We shall look forward to seeing our boys, albeit digitally, on Monday morning for another e-Hampton week.

With kind regards and best wishes