Dear Parents
“When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It is very simple” Paulo Coehlo
It was fitting that the theme of the week this week was “enthusiasm”, one of the seven virtues from our character education framework: The Dumpton Way. A positive mindset and approach in life is invaluable for children, and this has been on display in abundance this week, not only from the children as they prepare for the various Christmas excitement and performances over the coming weeks, but also from the Dumpton Friends who have put so much energy and determination into organising what I feel sure will be a very special community event today.
I would like to personally thank all the Dumpton Friends involved in organising the Christmas Fayre, and particularly Kate Boxer-Missen, Rachel Wolfenden, Katie Lennox, Esra Gunputh and Meg Bolton. Mrs Shaw also deserves a special mention for coordinating things from the school point of view.
With Wreath-Making earlier this week, and a Christmas Party next week, it is absolutely brilliant to see the Dumpton parents having so many opportunities to get to know one another - events like these are so important for our school community, and I am incredibly grateful to the Dumpton Friends team for all they are doing, and to the whole Dumpton parent body for your engagement and ‘enthusiasm’!
Scholarship Success
Our first set of scholarship success for the year has been announced this week – I am delighted to congratulate Josh J (Art and Drama), George B (Sport) and Will C (Drama) who have all been awarded scholarships to Clayesmore. We are very proud of them all!
Bryanston: Changes to Admissions
Bryanston is a very popular destination for Dumpton pupils – parents will be interested to know that they have made some changes to their admissions processes, with children now able to secure a firm offer of a place in Y6 or Y7. Parents interested can find more information here: https://www.bryanston.co.uk/admissions. As ever, do remember to book an appointment with me to discuss future schools at any time, with Y4 or Y5 being my recommendation for an initial conversation.
Y7 IPQ (Independent Project Qualification)
Independent learning is such an important skill for pupils to master. One element of the Dumpton Diploma is the IPQ, an independent project where every Y7 pupil chooses an area of interest and embarks on a personal project which they present themselves to an audience. We have been amazed by the outcomes again, with topics ranging from interior design, to dance, to the theory of evolution, and some incredible presentations. The best projects will be invited to present them to an audience of parents and staff next term at a special Y7 IPQ Presentation Evening.
Parents' Evenings
After Y1 and Y2 completed theirs last night, we have our final Parents' Evenings of the term next week for Reception and Y8. It is important to us that every parent has had the chance to have a face to face update on their child’s progress before Christmas, and I am delighted we have managed to do so for every year group. A further Parents' Evening for each child will follow later in the school year.
Reverse Advent Calendar
All of Pre-Prep and Nursery have been collecting items throughout November: thank you all so much for your generous contributions - Wimborne Food Bank were delighted to receive our donations today.
Sports Scholars Enrichment
We were grateful to both Alex Fermor-Dunman (Bryanston) and Tony Diprose (Canford) who visited to talk to our aspirational sports scholars this week. They learnt all about the mindset and attitude required to succeed in the sporting world, as well as getting some useful hints and guidance about succeeding as a scholar.
Prep School Winter Coats – From Mrs Shaw
We have never had a Prep School winter coat, but we are currently exploring introducing this in the future. With a cold spell predicted next week, we are happy for Prep School children to wear a plain navy blue or black coat to school, and at break or lunchtimes. Pupils can also wear the Dumpton gloves, scarves and hats, but non-Dumpton hats, gloves or scarves cannot be worn.
Important reminder from Matrons
Illness: If your child is poorly, please contact matrons every day that the child is absent from school. The matrons need to be updated each morning so that they know that a child is absent. You can let them know by simply emailing matron@dumpton.com or calling the school office. Please try and do this before 8.30am each morning. You do not need to tell your child’s tutor, as Matrons inform the tutors daily of absence.
Off Games: If you want your child to be ‘Off Games’ for any reason, you also need to contact the Matrons by email or phone. A verbal message passed on through your child is not enough - the Matrons need to be informed directly by parents.
Salvation Army Toy Collection
A huge thank you to Catherine Oliver and Dumpton Friends for organising the Salvation Army Toy Collection. All 288 presents were dropped off to an incredibly grateful Salvation Army in Wimborne this morning. They will tell us after Christmas how many families we managed to help. A huge personal thank you from Catherine Oliver and the Dumpton Friends team to the whole Dumpton community for their generosity and getting behind this initiative in such a spectacular fashion!
Key Events Next Week: (please see sports site and calendar for all fixtures)
Week 13: Theme of the Week - The Dumpton Way: Empathy
WEEK A
Tuesday 6 December
4.30pm: Y8 Parents' Evening: All Subjects (in person)
Wednesday 7 December
8.15am: Festive Refreshments for Nursery parents
9.00am: Nursery Christmas Play
10.15am: Reception Christmas Play
10.45am: Festive Refreshments for Reception parents
3.45pm: Reception Parents' Evening
Thursday 8 December
All Day: ABRSM Music Exams
8.30am: Prep School Assembly - Performing Arts & Sports Reports
2.30pm: Y1 & Y2 Christmas Play
4.25pm: Final DECA Session of this term
4.30pm: Y8 Parents' Evening All Subjects - Scholarship (in person)
7.00pm: Dumpton Friends Christmas Party
Friday 9 December
All Day: Autumn 2 Report: Aim High \/ Be Kind (Y3 - Y8)
8.15am: Y3 Parent Drop In Session
10.15am: Nursery New Starters Meet, Greet and Play Session
4.25pm: Final Prep School Hobbies of this term
With best wishes
Christian Saenger
Headmaster