It has been a busy week of events at school and we would like to begin by extending a huge thank you to our fantastic English Team for delivering an amazing World Book Day. The creativity, energy and enthusiasm they brought to the day made it a real highlight for students and staff alike.
A big well done also goes to our Year 11 students, who have now completed their written mock exams. They have shown real maturity and determination throughout the process. Our sincere thanks, too, to our Invigilator Team for their professionalism and hard work in ensuring the exams ran smoothly.
We are delighted to share that we are already oversubscribed for September 2026, reflecting the confidence our community has in our school. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7 students and their families over the coming months and building strong relationships as they begin their journey with us. There will also be exciting opportunities for our current students to take on Student Leadership roles, including becoming Transition Prefects, to support and guide our new starters as they settle into school life.
Thank you to Chartwells for hosting their Kitchen Open Evening on Tuesday. It was wonderful to see (and taste!) the selection of food on offer and to give Parents and Carers the opportunity to meet the Kitchen Staff.
Thanks also to Mrs Turner for arranging the Work Experience Information Evening this week. Our Year 9 and 10 students reported that this was extremely helpful for them and their families.
Our Year 9 students had a fantastic opportunity to visit Sky Studios, where they took part in an interactive media experience and gained valuable insight into careers in broadcasting, production and digital media. They represented the school brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
A special mention also goes to the students who participated in the National Careers Week Gameshow at Fareham College. They did an excellent job showcasing their teamwork, problem‑solving and communication skills—well done to all involved!
I would also like to thank the Science Team for organising the brilliant Science Show on Friday for Year 7. The students thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was a fantastic way to bring science to life.
We would like to encourage all Parents and Carers to complete the Parent Survey. Your feedback plays an important role in shaping our ongoing work and priorities. Please do read the letter emailed home by Mrs Valleley and fill in the survey here: Parent/ Carer Survey – Fill in form
Finally, a reminder that it is Year 8 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 12 March. We look forward to welcoming Year 8 families for valuable conversations about progress and next steps.
Next week is WEEK 2
Question of the Week
Please select your answer in the form below, all fields marked * are required and to help prevent SPAM this form is protected by Google reCaptcha v3.
Each week we will ask Parents/Carers a question in the Weekly Message – this will either be about a topic we are focussing on or an aspect of our school improvement plan. We would appreciate it if everyone answers it when reading the Weekly Message.
Events w/b Monday 9 March
Monday 9 March
Year 11 Art and Photography Exam
Year 10 Trip to Coopervision (selected students)
Year 9 Art and Spanish Trip returns
Tuesday 10 March
Year 11 Geography Fieldtrip (selected students)
Year 11 Art and Photography Exam
Year 11 Afterschool intervention
Year 7-9 Bebras School Challenge (selected students)
Wednesday 11 March
Year 11 Geography Fieldtrip (selected students)
Year 9 & 10 Rotary STEM Tournament (selected students)
Thursday 12 March
Year 8 Parents’/Carers’ Evening
No Year 11 Afterschool intervention due to Year 8 Parents’/Carers’ Evening
Friday 13 March
Year 11 Maths Test for Success
Future Dates
Wednesday 18 March – Parent Forum
Thursday 19 March – Year 7-9 Disco – Tickets available on Scopay
Friday 20 March – INSED Day (school closed to students)
Letters
Please read the letters sent home and available on our letters page: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/letters-to-parents/
Our latest newsletter is available to download here: https://www.thehambleschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/THS-Newsletter-2025-2026-Issue-3-web.pdf
Theme of the Week: Numbers, Hope and Healthy Habits
Welcome to another busy week at The Hamble School! As we head into mid-March, our focus shifts toward a blend of intellectual curiosity and essential self-care. Here is what your child will be exploring in our assembly and tutor programmes next week.
Assembly: ‘Maths and Hope’
Next week’s assembly is dedicated to Pi Day (celebrated annually on March 14th). However, we are looking beyond the classroom whiteboard. Our theme is “Maths and Hope.”
Often, students ask, “When will I ever use this in real life?” We aim to answer that by highlighting how mathematics is a fundamental tool for improving human lives. From modelling the spread of diseases to optimizing renewable energy and engineering life-saving medical equipment, maths is at the heart of our societies. We want our students to see maths not just as a set of rules, but as a language of opportunity and a way to build a better future.
The Great ‘Pi Off’ House Competition
To celebrate the lead-up to Pi Day, the Maths Department is launching the Pi Off! This is a high-energy House competition where students will compete to see who can recite the most digits of Pi.
Whether they know the standard 3.14 or can reel off fifty decimal places, every digit counts toward their House total.
Personal Development: The Importance of Sleep
While the days are getting longer, the importance of a good night’s rest remains constant. In tutor time, our Personal Development programme will focus on Sleep and Sleep Hygiene.
Quality sleep essential for adolescent brain development, emotional regulation, and academic focus. We will be discussing:
- Why Sleep Matters: How it affects memory, mood, and physical growth.
- Sleep Hygiene: Practical habits to “clean up” a bedtime routine.
- Digital Sunsets: The impact of blue light and social media on sleep quality.
- Practical Tips: Simple changes like consistent wake-up times and creating a cool, dark environment.
We know that getting teenagers to switch off can be a challenge, so we hope these sessions provide them with the autonomy and knowledge to manage their own well-being more effectively.
Knowledge Booster: Top 5 Sleep Tips
Quality sleep is essential for brain development and academic focus. Here are five ways to improve your sleep hygiene starting tonight:
- Digital Sunset: Turn off all screens 30–60 minutes before bed. Blue light disrupts your natural sleep hormones and keeps your brain alert when it should be winding down.
- Stick to a Routine: Aim for a consistent wake-up time every day, including weekends. This stabilizes your internal body clock and prevents “social jetlag” on Monday mornings.
- Optimize Your Environment: Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. A “sleep cave” environment helps your body stay in a deep sleep cycle for longer.
- Monitor Caffeine Intake: Avoid energy drinks, coffee, and sugary/fizzy drinks after 3:00 PM. Caffeine can stay in your system for up to eight hours, making it harder to fall asleep.
- The Brain Dump: If you are feeling stressed about schoolwork or tomorrow’s schedule, write it down in a notebook before bed. Clearing your thoughts onto paper allows your mind to relax.
British Science Week 2026: Celebrating Curiosity at Its Best
British Science Week (BSW) 2026 is officially underway, inviting students across the country to embrace this year’s inspiring theme: “Curiosity: What’s Your Question?” Running from 6–15 March 2026, the nationwide celebration encourages young people to explore their passion for STEM by asking questions, investigating ideas, and discovering how science helps us understand the world around us.
The week launched on Friday with an exciting Science Tricks Show presented by Explorer Dome. This lively, presenter‑led experience was designed to provoke observation and prediction through a series of interactive demonstrations. Using everyday physics and kitchen chemistry—complete with bursts of fire, bright flashes, and swirling freezing fog—the show sparked real excitement. Students were particularly enthusiastic about the hands‑on elements, eagerly taking part and sharing their thoughts as each surprising effect unfolded.
Looking ahead, the week beginning 9 March will see KS3 science lessons fully embracing the BSW theme. Lessons will encourage students to ask meaningful questions, explore new worlds, and understand how learning and discovery work. Activities will span a wide range of topics, from investigating how we might grow food on Mars, to designing and building creative solutions to engineering challenges, and exploring the evolving roles of artificial intelligence in society.
Students will also be encouraged—and hopefully inspired—to take part in the upcoming Science Fair House Competition, taking place the following week on Monday 16 March. Full details on how to enter can be found on their Class Charts.
British Science Week promises to be a vibrant celebration of curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking, and we look forward to seeing the questions our students choose to explore next.
Football Update
Year 8 Boys Back to Winning Ways
Team: Balaj M, Stanley B, Harry G, Lucas H, Mason I, Alan K, ND O, Spencer P, Austin R, Freddie S, Keegan T, Arthur U, Thomas W, Olly W, Aaron W, Jack W
Scorers: Balaj M, Spencer P
The Year 8 boys returned to form in the SSFA Division Two with a hard‑fought 2–1 win over Weston School.
The Hamble School made a strong start, taking the lead when Balaj M drove down the left and saw his cross‑shot slip through the goalkeeper’s hands. Weston responded with good spells of pressure and equalised from a well‑worked throw‑in.
With fresh legs from the bench, we pushed on after the break. Their persistence paid off when Spencer P reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, guiding it home with ten minutes to play. A superb late tackle from Jack W helped secure the victory.
The boys now move on to their final league fixture next week against Regents Park.
Double Delight for the Year 7/8 Girls Footballers!
Players: Scarlett B, Emmy C, Eva C, Olivia N, Lyla R, Darcey S, Evoleht W, Georgie C, Pollyanna F, Emily G, Alaa M, Ciara‑Leigh W, Jessica W
The Year 7/8 Girls enjoyed a fantastic week, earning back‑to‑back wins in league and cup competitions.
On Tuesday, the squad travelled to Wildern for Round One of the SSFA Junior Girls Cup. Facing higher‑division opposition was always going to be a challenge, but the team rose to it superbly, securing a 3–1 victory with goals from Pollyanna F (2) and Eva C, booking their place in the quarter‑finals.
Just a day later, they hosted league leaders Oasis Sholing. Despite Sholing’s unbeaten run, we matched their intensity throughout. Pollyanna opened the scoring after a long kick from Lyla R, before the visitors equalised early in the second half. With the game heading for a draw, Pollyanna stepped up again, scoring a brilliant late winner to seal a 2–1 win and take Hamble to the top of the table.
A superb week of teamwork, resilience and outstanding performances from the whole squad.
Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge
Well done to the students who will be representing the school in the Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge on Tuesday 10 March.
These students earned their place in the competition by finishing in the top 25% nationally in the recent Bebras Challenge — a fantastic achievement that highlights their strong problem‑solving and computational thinking skills.
Next week, they will take part in a series of exciting coding and problem‑solving activities as part of the challenge. All venue and timing details have been shared with participating students via Class Charts.
We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to hearing how they get on!
Get Ready for Our Scholastic Book Fair!
Date: 17–24 March
Location: Library in the London Block
Time: Before school, break, lunch and after school
We are excited to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school this month, and we would love for you and your child to be part of the fun. This year, we are proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026, and we cannot wait to showcase the fair to students, helping to nurture and grow their love of reading. It’s the perfect chance to discover a new favourite book.
There will be a wide range of books available — from titles suitable for Year 7 right through to Year 11 — along with revision guides for some GCSE English topics.
Students can buy books with cash, and they can also use their World Book Day token to get £1 off their chosen book. Every purchase also helps the school earn free books, supporting reading across our community.
We cannot wait for your child to come along, enjoy the buzz of the fair, and find a story to love!
Join us for the Reading Café and you will also get a chance to browse the books with your son/ daughter. Sign up here:
https://forms.office.com/e/9Spe8QTs8F
Celebrating Student Success Beyond the Classroom
Each month in our Weekly Message, we take the opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students outside of school. From sporting triumphs and performing arts accomplishments to community volunteering, competitions, and personal milestones, our students do fantastic things beyond the classroom — and we want to recognise them.
We have already received several wonderful stories from February and March, showcasing the dedication, talent and hard work of our young people in a range of activities.
Next week, we will be highlighting these achievements and celebrating all our talented students who have gone above and beyond.
If your child has an achievement you would like us to feature, please send it to us by Thursday 12 March at 9am at:
communication@thehambleschool.co.uk
(Photos are very welcome if you’re able to include one.)
We look forward to sharing these inspiring stories with our school community.
Celebrating Achievements
The students listed below achieved the most reward points this week – Well done to you!
- Year 7 – Reneleigh G 7-1
- Year 8 – Zoe G 8-1
- Year 9 – Julia T 9-8
- Year 10 – Saksham S 10-2
- Year 11 – Sienna S 11-7
