Dear Parents
One of the ways we measure our impact here at Dumpton is through scholarship success. Scholarships are awarded by Senior Schools to recognise children who are showing great promise in a particular area, ranging from Academic, to Sport, Art, Design and Technology, Music and Drama. We’re so proud of our record of over 100 scholarshipawards in the last 5 years – a testament to the hard work, determination, and ability of the pupils who leave Dumpton in Year 8, the benefits of our broad and rich curriculum, and most importantly I think, the ‘you can because you think you can’ attitude and ethos at the school that allows pupils to throw themselves into school life and fulfil their talents with such enthusiasm and positivity.
We’re absolutely delighted to announce that we have achieved an amazing six academic scholarships to Canford this year – this is the most that Dumpton pupils have received in over 100 years of the school’s long history. Over 50 Prep Schools feed Canford, and the academic scholarship process is a very rigorous and competitive one – we're immensely proud of the pupils, but thank you also to all the staff who worked so hard to prepare them so well.
Academic Scholarship Success
Congratulations to Alex G, Heidi S, Lyra A, Lily-Rose P, Alice H and Josh DLH who have been awarded Academic Scholarships to Canford this year – we're very proud of you! We are also just as proud of all those pupils in the process who sadly missed out: they have worked incredibly hard, and deserve just as much credit for their efforts.
Dumpton Talks – Challenging Gender Stereotypes
We had a wonderful evening on Wednesday, with a lovely group of parents joining us in the recital hall for two talks on what I hope were interesting and important topics for us all. After I said a few words on social and emotional intelligence, Clare Willetts had us all spellbound with her fascinating, research-informed presentation. I would urge all parents who believe that boys and girls should grow up into a fairer and more equal worldto take some time to watch the video which can be accessed below – as Claire herself said at the end of her presentation: ‘together we can grow generations of equals’.
My talk on Building Social and Emotional Intelligence and Clare’s talk on Challenging Gender Stereotypes Part 1 (20mins) and Part 2 (13mins)
News from Senior Schools
Two of the most popular Senior Schools for Dumpton pupils, Canford and Bryanston, have made fairly major strategic announcements recently which I thought I would update you on. Canford have launched an exciting and innovative expansion of their Sixth Form offering. Bryanston have introduced a new ‘day’ offering - ‘everything you’d expect from Bryanston... except a bed’
As ever, I do always look forward to future school meetings with parents to discuss school options, and these can be booked in via Lerryn anytime from Y4 onwards.
Science Week Success from Mrs Catton
Pupils' have embraced Science Week with enthusiasm and curiosity, exploring new ideas and making 'connections'. Lessons have included learning about microbes, pollution, climate change, oceans, raft building, food webs, and space, to name just a few topics. We have already received poster entries for the British Science Week poster competition, and there is still time to get your entries in to your science teacher by the end of term. More details here: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/plan-your-activities/poster-competition/
The Year 5 pupils were fantastic on the trip to the Winchester Science Centre, and enjoyed their workshop on rockets, alongside the exhibits and the planetarium show. It's been lovely to hear that it has ignited an interest in science beyond the curriculum with pupils asking to go back at the weekend!
We have ended the week with all pupils from year 3-6 experiencing the Science Dome, with topics such as biodiversity, dinosaurs, and climate change explored as an immersive show.
No doubt the Junior Scientists will enjoy learning about food web 'connections' with live maggots during hobbies later today! Well done for such wonderful engagement and enthusiasm throughout Science Week and I hope you enjoyed it, and made some new 'connections'.
Nursery Parents Coffee Morning - from the Nursery Team
It was lovely to welcome the Dandelion and Bluebell parents this morning. The children took part in their Friday PE activity, whilst their parents could see their little ones in action. We hope it gave you all an insight into how beautifully behaved your children are and how super proud we are of them all. Thank you all for coming.
Dumpton Friends Easter Egg Hunt & Coffee Morning (for Nursery & Reception Parents)
We are grateful to Dumpton Friends who are busy making plans for next Friday (24 March). They will be sending further information out very soon via Classlist.
ABRSM Music Exams
A big well done to all the pupils who had their ABRSM Music Exams this week. They all worked so hard to prepare and the examiner was very impressed indeed. We look forward to receiving the results.
Parents' Evenings – Thank You
Thank you to all the staff and parents involved in parents' evenings this week. It is always a great chance to talk – face to face – about the children, and so important to establish that ongoing partnership between school and home that is so crucial.
With best wishes
Christian Saenger
Headmaster
Key Events Next Week: (please see sports site and calendar for all fixtures)
Week 11: Theme of the week - Easter
WEEK A
Monday 20 March
4.30pm: Y6 Production 'Matilda Junior'
Tuesday 21 March
4.30pm: Y7 Production 'Matilda Junior'
Wednesday 22 March
10.25am: Team Photos
2.15pm: House Cross Country
3.00pm: Pre-Prep Class Assembly (RM)
Thursday 23 March
8.30am: Prep School Assembly - Performing Arts & Sports Reports
Friday 24 March
Dumpton Friends - Easter Egg Hunt & Parent Coffee Morning
8.15am: Y1 & Y2 Parents Drop In Session
8.30am: Prep School Awards Assembly
5.45pm: Term Ends (normal school day and buses as usual)