Dear Parents
This week has been one of beginnings and endings! This morning I spoke to parents whose children are beginning their Dumpton journey in September. It’s a time of such excitement, and plenty of apprehension no doubt too, about what lies ahead for their children.
At the same time, yesterday was very much about the end of the journey, as our Year 8s received their Dumpton Certificate exam results – the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and growth. The results they have achieved are exceptional, with 57% of grades awarded at A or A*, but most importantly, with every child making great academic progress from their own starting points.
We marked the occasion with a special ceremony, where staff gathered to present the certificate and celebrate all that this incredible year group has achieved. They have made such progress, developed such close bonds, and are the kindest group of children – we couldn’t be prouder. They are more than ready for the exciting journey ahead at Senior School.
They have also enjoyed a brilliant start to the Leavers’ Programme, with a stage-fighting workshop, a day at Dorset Water Park, a day geo-caching their way around Dorset (thank you to the staff who went as willing drivers!), and then a sponsored cycle which they had organised themselves to raise money for charity.
The Leavers’ Programme is full of rich experiences but is also a time to make memories that will last these children for a lifetime, before they part their ways at the end of their Dumpton journey.
Dumpton Foundation – Adventure Playground Plans!
Last week we launched the Dumpton Foundation, and we have been so delighted by the feedback – and the generosity - shown so far. A reminder that our first projects this summer will be the refurbishment of our Swimming Pool and the Adventure Playground. I have attached some pictures of some of the new equipment that will be installed in the Adventure Playground over the summer - Mrs Wort and the Pre-Prep and Nursery staff have come up with some amazing ideas, and we’re all looking forward to seeing how the children benefit from all the vital opportunities for play, creativity and social and emotional learning that it will provide.
If you have yet to make a donation and you would like to, please click here to find out more: (https://www.dumpton.com/dumpton-foundation). All donations will be thoughtfully acknowledged on a plaque to mark the foundation’s first project.
Y6 Swimming Gala at Canford – from Mr Jeremiah
Swimming is normally all about the individual in terms of performance, but Tuesday's swimming gala at Canford showed just how important the team element of swimming can be as well. Each swimmer performed exceptionally well in their own right but it was their cheering and supportiveness of one another that really stood out. Between them they racked up five 1st places, four 2nd places and three 3rd places. The boys finished a very creditable 2nd in their team competition, whilst the girls did one place better in their event and finished 1st overall. Very well done to all the swimmers.
Last Cricket Fixtures of the Season
We have not enjoyed such a brilliant cricket season at Dumpton for many a year. Boys and girls throughout the school seem to have ‘got the bug’, and the cricket nets and squares are bursting at breaktimes and lunchtimes. All that practice means considerable success in fixtures, and it was lovely to see so many great performances on Tuesday and Wednesday in our fixtures against our friendly rivals Castle Court, across not just our A teams, but our B Teams and C Teams too. A special mention to our U13 Girls team whose superb cup run was ended in the quarter finals of the National IAPS Competition against Cottesmore on Monday. The future of cricket at Dumpton is very bright indeed!
LAMDA Success!
A huge congratulations to all our LAMDA students who took their exams this term. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, talent, and hard work. The standard was exceptionally high, with many students achieving merits and distinctions—a true testament to their commitment and passion for performance. Well done to every one of you!
Prep Sports Day – Wednesday 25th June: Reminders from Mr Randle
- Children should arrive in their sports kit on Wednesday morning. All athletics kit will be sent home on Tuesday.
- Events will begin promptly at 10:00am and are expected to finish sometime after 3:00pm.
- Parking will be available on the top field by the Sports Hall, with marshals on hand to direct you.
- This may not be the ideal day to bring dogs onto the site. However, if you do need to bring one, please ensure it is kept on a lead at all times and that any mess is cleared up responsibly.
- The weather forecast currently looks favourable. If this changes and conditions are no longer safe or enjoyable for the event, we will aim to give as much notice as possible. Should we need to postpone, normal school lessons will take place as usual.
- All unaccompanied pupils will be based by the Pavilion under the blue gazebos. Mrs Shaw will be responsible for signing them in and out.
Pre-Loved Pop-Up @ Dumpton
We warmly invite you to come along, browse and support our Year 8 leaders in this wonderful initiative which takes place from 3.30pm on Monday 23 June (alongside the Pre-Prep Country Dance Show). The aim of the boutique is to promote re-use and sustainability within our school community. Thank you to everyone who has donated pre-loved clothing and sports kit. The proceeds from the sale will be going to organisations working for sustainable fashion around the world.
Football Kit Required
Ex-Dumptonian Alexander Brown is off to Argentina this Summer to volunteer in an orphanage as part of a program with Canford School. Any good quality football kit that isn’t needed/wanted by the children would be amazing. Please hand in donations to Mrs Brown in Food Technology by next Friday 27 June.
From Dumpton Friends
As you will have seen, tickets for the Picnic (following Speech Day) are now on sale on Classlist. Please note that the deadline for purchasing these is Tuesday 1 July.
A Busy Two Weeks
And finally, please take a careful look at the events over the next couple of weeks (included below). It’s a very busy time, but we do hope you enjoy all the lovely opportunities to see the children here at school. I also look forward to seeing all the pupils and parents from Reception to Y8 at Speech Day – do see the email sent earlier this week for more information about this special occasion.
With best wishes for a lovely weekend.
Christian Saenger
Headmaster
Key Events W/B 23.6.25
WEEK A
Week 9: Theme of the Week – Creativity
Monday 23 June
All Day Home Visits for children starting Reception (September 2025) - all week
Y8 Leavers’ Programme: PSHE followed by Fancy-Dress Tennis
Canford’s Production of Arabian Nights (Y5)
13.00 Team Photographs (Fraser Portraits)
15.30-16.15 Pre-Prep Country Dancing Show – Reception to Y2 involved. No Pre-Prep Hobbies.
15.30-16.15 Pre-Loved Pop-Up @ Dumpton
Tuesday 24 June
All Day Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Interviews
14.15-16.15 Y3 & Y4 to follow Wednesday afternoon timetable
16.30-17.15 Summer Serenade (Prep School Music Concert for instrumentalists and choirs)
Wednesday 25 June
10.00 - 16.00 Prep School Sports Day
Thursday 26 June
All Day Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Triathlon followed by Scavenger Hunt
7.30-8.15 Final Junior Early Morning Tennis of the term
16.15 Final DECA of the term
16.15 Y3 Overnight Camp
17.00-19.30 Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Leavers’ Supper
Friday 27 June
All Day Y3 at local country park
Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Feed Yourself, Football Golf, Escape Room, English/History Collab followed by Family Tea
7.30-8.15 Final Senior Early Morning Tennis of the term
10.15 Nursery Meet, Greet & Play for new children joining Nursery in September and their parents
14.15-15.30 Y1 & Y2 Sports Day
16.25-17.15 Final Prep School Hobbies of the term
Key Events W/B 30.6.25
WEEK B
Week 10: Theme of the Week – Looking Forward to Next Year
Monday 30 June
All Day Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Residential Trip to Cornwall
8.45-9.15 Y2 Instrumental Concert: Recital Hall: refreshments in the Performing Arts Courtyard from 8.30am
16.30-17.10 Y3-Y6 Poetry Recitation Competition Final
Tuesday 1 July
All Day Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Residential Trip to Cornwall
Y1 and Y2 Outing to the Beach
Wednesday 2 July
All Day Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Residential Trip to Cornwall
8.30-9.30 Final Musical Ducklings of the term
9.00-12.00 Move Up Morning (for all children, both current and new who are joining (Reception or above) in September to meeting
14.15-16.15 Y3 and Y4 Wednesday PM timetable
Thursday 3 July
All Day Y8 Leavers’ Programme: Residential Trip to Cornwall
Y8 to return in time for end of term assembly (depart Cornwall at 8am)
15.30-16.15 Final Pre-Prep Hobbies and After School Club of the term
Friday 4 July
10.00-11.30 Speech Day - All children from Reception to Y8 to be dropped off at school at 9.30am. Please note there will be NO BUSES. Drinks will be served for parents before the ceremony begins. Nursery will be open as usual from 8:15am until 11.30am
11.30-15.00 Dumpton Friends – Summer Picnic