Hampton School
HMC Independent School for boys, founded 1557
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Hampton School
Please note that Assemblies do not take place during examination periods at the start of the Spring Term and in May and early June, when the main Hall is used for public examinations.
Click on one of the dates below to read the notices and/or speech from Assembly. They will be hyperlinked as they become available:
| Spring Term 2010 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 8 March | |
| 1 March | |
| 23 February | India and Poverty by Zafar Ansari |
| 8 February | 'Why You Might Call Me a Racist', by Dr Whitwell |
| Autumn Term 2009 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 14 December | |
| 7 December | |
| 30 November | |
| 23 November | |
| 16 November | |
| 9 November | Remembrance Day Address, by Mr Cullen |
| 2 November | |
| 12 October | |
| 5 October | |
| 28 September | |
| 21 September | ... by Mr Langton |
| 14 September | |
| 7 September | |
| 3 September |
| Summer Term 2009 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 2 July | Mr Acher: Powerpoint presentation |
| 29 June | |
| 22 June | |
| 27 April |
| Spring Term 2009 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 23 March | by Mr Murphy |
| 19 March | |
| 9 March | |
| 2 March | The Forgiveness project |
| 23 February | |
| 9 February | by Mr Owen and Mr Johnstone |
| Autumn Term 2008 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 15 December [U6 out] | Christmas assembly |
| 8 December [L6th out] | by Dr Stuart C. A. Whitwell |
| 1 December [1st & 2nd years out] | John Reekie Amnesty Intl/ Music |
| 24 November [5th year out] | EPQ presentations SAW |
| 17 November [3rd year out] | Susan Kramer MP |
| 10 November [4th Year to Lec Th] | Remembrance Assembly: Speech by Mr Lawrence |
| 3 November [1st & 2nd years out] | by Mr Knapman |
| 6 October [4th year out] | CGC: Gratitude Sweeney Todd cast / CGC / DJK |
| 2 October [3rd year out] | Brain Barwick CEO Football Assoc / William Round [Organ] |
| 22 September [1st & 2nd years out] | |
| 15 September [5th year out] | Form charity: Helen Bamber OBE of the Helen Bamber Fdn for victims of torture |
| 11 September [3rd year out] | Malawi Assembly DRC / CGC |
| 3 September [U6th out] | CGC/BRM |
| Spring Term 2008 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 2 July 2008 | by Mr Knibbs |
| 30 June 2008 | |
| 23 June 2008 | |
| 28 April 2008 | |
| 21 April 2008 |
| Spring Term 2008 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 17 March 2008 | Easter Assembly by Mr Cooper |
| 10 March 2008 | |
| 3 March 2008 | |
| 25 February 2008 | |
| 18 February 2008 | |
| 4 February 2008 |
Assemblies have a crucial place in the life of Hampton. The simple act of assembling has a important symbolic significance, and what happens at the times when the whole School or year group is gathered together can set the tone for much that happens in between.
For most weeks of the School year, the whole School gathers for assembly on a Monday
morning at 10.15 a.m. [period 3] in the Main Hall. This assembly generally consists of one main presentation, usually on a theme of moral, social, or global interest, and given either by a visiting speaker, or by a member of staff. Pupils frequently contribute to such presentations also.
Visitign speakers include representatives from Charitiesand prominent causes, experts in various fields, local and national politicians. In the last few years, speakers at our assemblies have included Mr Zac Goldsmith, Helen Bamber OBE, Mr John Gummer MP, Vince Cable MP, Lord Justice David Keane, and HRH Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex.
After this main presentation, there tends to be a shorter spiritual reflection often related to the theme of the main speaker, given or led by a member of staff [usually Mr Christopher Cullen, Head of Pastoral Care]. This may include a brief reflective talk, a time of silence or guided meditation, a reading or a prayer.
Details of assembly presentations, often including the texts of the speakers and sometimes recordings of their talks are available on the School's website.
Our assemblies are greatly enriched by the availability of ICT facilities. These are regularly used as part of presentations, often to impressive effect. Live music also plays an important part in our assemblies. Several times each term, individuals or groups of students perform in assembly to the whole School, as a way of providing space for reflection, enrichment, and valuable experience for the performers. We also have a least one assembly a year led by a visiting Jazz musician who gets the whole School singing and swinging!
Spiritual themes may explored from a variety of faith perspectives. Usually the ethos is one of 'perennial spirituality' that aims to offer insight or nourishment to all, regardless of belief or affiliation. However, during the year, we do have assemblies of more specific and explicit religious character, especially at the time of festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Ramadhan, Passover and Divali.
After these presentations, the School Captain reads the notices for the week, then the Headmaster, or his Deputy, speaks about recent or forthcoming events, and concludes the assembly.
On 11 November or the School day nearest to it, the School holds a Remembrance Assembly, to commemorate especially those from the School who have died in the wars of the last hundred years. The ceremony includes a special address, usually by a visiting speaker, and also the two minutes’ silence, commenced and ended by the Last Post and Reveille played by the School’s senior trumpeter standing by the War Memorials in the Reception area.
In the last week of the Summer Term, the whole School goes down to Hampton Parish Church, where the School was founded, for a special service celebrating our Foundation and marking the end of the School year. The sermon is given by a visiting preacher.
As well as these full School assemblies, there is a regular programme of year group assemblies which take place either during Form Tutor periods on Thursday mornings, or concurrently with the full School assemblies on Mondays. These gatherings often complement and enrich the PHSE programme, with outside speakers, presentations and films. They also provide an opportunity for the Head of Year to address pastoral or academic matters, such as options choices, revision skills, or university application procedures.
The whole programme of assemblies is overseen by Mr Christopher Cullen, Head of Pastoral Care, in conjunction with the Headmaster, Deputy Heads, Heads of Year, and the Head of PHSE. Suggestions or comments are always welcome.
| Autumn Term 2007 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 10 December 2007 | Christmas Assembly |
| 3 December 2007 | |
| 26 November 2007 | Amnesty International on Slavery |
| 19 November 2007 | |
| 12 November 2007 | Remembrance Assembly by Mr Mortimer |
| 5 November 2007 | Presentation by Mr Knapman |
| 15 October 2007 | |
| 8 October 2007 | Memorial Service for Walter Bailey |
| 1 October 2007 | |
| 24 September 2007 | |
| 17 September 2007 | |
| 10 September 2007 | |
| 5 September 2007 |
| Summer Term 2007 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation: |
| 14th May 2007 | Presentation by Mr MacDonald & Old Hamptonians' film |
| 30th April 2007 |
| Spring Term 2007 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation: |
| 2nd April 2007 | |
| 28th March 2007 | |
| 20th March 2007 | |
| 12th March 2007 | |
| 5th March 2007 | |
| 26th February 2007 | |
| 12th February 2007 | |
| 5th February 2007 | Appointment of prefects: by Mr Mortimer |
| Autumn Term 2006 | |
| Notices: | Main Presentation : |
| 11th December 2006 | Christmas Assemly: by Mr Cooper |
| 4th December 2006 | Imagine your life this way: by Mr Davies |
| 27th November 2006 | |
| 20th November 2006 | |
| 13th November 2006 | Remembrance Sermon |
| 6th November 2006 | |
| 30th October 2006 | |
| 8th October 2006 | |
| 25th September 2006 | |
| 18th September 2006 | |
| 11th September 2006 | 450th Anniversary by Mr Brown |
| 6th September 2006 |