Dear Parents
We were delighted to host a very successful Old Dumptonian Reunion here recently. Welcoming back former pupils is always a joy, and a reminder of quite how much cherished history there is here at Dumpton, which of course was founded back in 1903. I wanted to share this lovely email I received after the event from an OD who attended the school between 1947 and 1952:
“The facilities the school now enjoys must be the envy of most prep schools in the country and a good many public schools. The achievement of financing these buildings without resorting to formal fund raising or requiring bank loans is little short of astonishing. However, for me the most impressive aspect is the importance placed on developing the whole person and not just their sporting or academic ability.”
Despite most of us being relatively recent additions to the school’s long history, we should all be very proud of what Dumpton has become – and of course excited about what I feel sure is a very exciting and auspicious future.
That future of Dumpton is of course now in our hands – the baton has been passed! It was lovely to talk with so many current parents at the Welcome Evening about our vision for Dumpton, our areas of focus and our new initiatives for the year ahead such as The Dumpton Way and the Dumpton Diploma. Despite our firm foundations and very strong, healthy position, I can assure you that this is a school that is constantly looking to improve; we will not stand still in our pursuit of giving every single child at Dumpton the very finest education.
The Dumpton Way: ‘Global Citizenship’
One of the Dumpton Way Virtues is ‘Global Citizenship’. We want every child at Dumpton to be inspired to make positive contributions to their community, both locally, and globally. It was excellent to see pupils exploring and engaging with the theme of ‘Celebrating other Cultures’ this week. 7Tu’s Assembly on Monday was a brilliant whistle stop tour of European languages, whilst 5P’s Assembly this morning reminded us that however ‘different’ foreign cultures of countries might feel, we have so much to be gained by celebrating our differences and learning from one another.
Cross Country at Canford – From Mr Loe
The Cross Country season got underway with teams from Year 7 and Year 8 competing at Canford. In what were far from ideal cross country running conditions - there was no wind, rain or mud and it was quite warm - our runners pushed themselves incredibly hard and supported each other with equal enthusiasm. Both Seni P and Marni P produced very promising top 10 finishes. It was a great start to the season with the same kind, supportive and determined attitude that was the mainstay of the team last year.
Y1, Y2 and Y3 Classroom Visits
Each Friday morning, parents of children in Y1, Y2 and Y3 can pop into their child’s class and join them at the beginning of the day. It has been so lovely to see so many parents able to join us, and the children have so enjoyed showing off their work. We hope you as parents have enjoyed this window into their learning and the chance for even more contact with your child’s teacher.
Canford Explore Day
Well over half of our current Y6 pupils spent time at Canford for their Explore Day on Thursday. We heard they all had a wonderful time, and we hope this sets them up well as they being their admission journey to Canford School.
Y7 Trip to Kimmeridge
The sun shone for Y7 as they visited Kimmeridge Bay for their Biology Field Trip. Pupils had a hands on experience learning about the rocky ecosystem, the adaptations of organisms, and human impact. They even undertook a beach clean while there – lovely to see some Global Citizenship in action!
Summer Review
We are delighted to publish our Summer Term Review today. Your child should have come home with a copy – please check their bags and we do hope you enjoy what is a lovely reminder of a fantastic Summer Term here at Dumpton.
Y2 Harvest Assembly – Monday 3 October
We are very excited about the Y2 assembly on Monday at 8.30. Parents are very welcome to attend, but we will also broadcast the assembly on our usual Zoom link for those unable to attend. The link can be found here:
Non School Uniform Day – Friday 7 October
Pupils may come to school in non-school uniform on Friday. Instead of a monetary donation, to link in with the Y2 Harvest Assembly we are inviting each pupil in the Pre-Prep and Prep School to bring at least one can of food or similar into school on Friday to your form room. This will be collected and delivered to Wimborne Food Bank. The items they desperately need right now include tinned potatoes, tinned carrots, corned beef, tinned meatballs, pasta packets, tinned custard, small packs of porridge, jam, tinned rice pudding, washing up liquid and deodorant. However, any donation will be gratefully received of course.
Dumpton Friends- Upcoming Events
As you will have seen on Classlist, Dumpton Friends are holding a Bake Sale for MacMillan Cancer Support on Wednesday 5 October:
At drop off 8am-9:15am
And at pick up 3:15pm-5:30pm
Please donate any bakes into Reception by end of next Tuesday 4 October.
Dumpton Friends have also very kindly organised a Disco next Friday (5.15 - 7.00pm) for Y6, Y7 and Y8 pupils. An invitation has already been sent to parents via Classlist with a link to reply. Pupils can also select their playlist choices! If anybody needs to make changes to bus arrangements, please do remember to do so via the app.
Finally, the Dumpton Friends Quizis taking place on Thursday 13 October at the Old Thatch pub. All details on Classlist – we hope lots of parents will attend what should be an enjoyable evening.
Key Events Next Week (please see sports site and calendar for all fixtures)
Week 5: Theme of the Week - Charity Matters
WEEK A
Monday 3 October
08:30 - Prep School Assembly for Senior Pupils (Y2 Harvest) - Y2 Parents welcome to attend
11.15 - Reception Visit to Streets Meadow Residential Home (Harvest Celebration)
14:00 - Prep Schools Geography Quiz, Canford (group of Y7 & Y8 pupils)
Tuesday 4 October
Y2 Castle Visit
Y7 & Y8 Science Trip to Marwell Zoo
Wednesday 5 October
08:00 - Dumpton Friends - Bake Sale for MacMillan Cancer Support, Outside the Dining Hall
15:15 - Dumpton Friends - Bake Sale for MacMillan Cancer Support, Outside the Dining Hall
Thursday 6 October
08:30 - Prep School Assembly - Performing Arts & Sports Reports
09:00 - Cracking the Code Event, Sherborne School (group of Y5 pupils)
Friday 7 October
Non School Uniform Day for both Prep and Pre-Prep (collection for Wimborne Food Bank)
Y6 Rivers Trip
17:15 - Dumpton Friends - Year 6, 7 & 8 Disco
With best wishes for the weekend.
Christian Saenger
Headmaster