03 October 2025

Headmaster's Newsletter, Friday 3rd October 2025

Dear Parents

This week our theme has been Collaboration, one of the Dumpton Way Virtues that we see in action every single day around the school. Collaboration is so much more than simply working alongside others – it is about listening, supporting, sharing ideas, and recognising that each of us has something valuable to contribute. As Helen Keller so memorably put it: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

For young children, collaboration is a crucial skill. It helps them to develop empathy, patience, and resilience, and to discover the joy of achieving something as part of a team. These are lessons that go far beyond the classroom, shaping confident, considerate individuals who understand that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

At Dumpton, collaboration links closely with our core value of Be Kind. True kindness often involves working with others, and putting someone else’s needs before our own. This is hard! Children can sometimes find collaboration tricky, so it is our job to ensure we provide as many opportunities as possible to reinforce and practice something that will be crucial to their future success.

Opportunities for collaboration, therefore, are hardwired into the Dumpton curriculum - but sport is a particularly powerful example. Whether on the netball court, football pitch, or athletics track, teamwork is key. It continually makes us proud to see how well our pupils put the team first. Our most talented and accomplished athletes are role models to other pupils in this regard, putting their team before their personal accomplishments.

Our children need to understand that individual talent can get you so far on its own, but it will shine brightest when faith in the team, not the individual, comes first. Anyone who watched the superb England women’s rugby team World Cup victory, or the memorable Europe Ryder Cup team triumph, will attest to that.

Sport
There were collaborative team performances galore this week, from our fixtures against Castle Court, to the tournament exploits of our girls hockey team at Embley. Team of the week this week goes to our U13 Boys however, who secured no less than three trophies this week! The U13A and U13B team both won their respective tournaments at Walhampton, and today, our U13As narrowly missed out on qualification for the National IAPS Finals, but at least came home with the Plate trophy. We’re really proud of them all.

From the Dumpton NSEA Team
Our riders were out in full force on Sunday 28th September, competing at the Area Showjumping at Moreton Equestrian Centre. For many, it was the first outing of the brand-new season — and what a way to start! Well done to all involved – there was a strong team spirit, with riders pushing themselves, hitting personal bests, and riding with pride. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds — and we’d love to welcome even more riders to join our ever-growing team.

Reception Visit to Streets Meadow Residential Care Home – From Mrs Wort
Great global citizenship was demonstrated on Thursday afternoon with our visit to Street Meadow. Mrs Radford led a delightful singing session with both children and residents singing harvest songs and rhymes - well done Reception!

Taking and Posting Pictures of other children
Just a gentle reminder that parents should never take photos of other Dumpton children and put them onto social media without permission from parents. Thank you for respecting the privacy of all the children at the school.

Non-Uniform Day – Friday 10 October (in support of Wimborne Food Bank)
A reminder to all pupils to bring a donation for Wimborne Food Bank next Friday as part of our non-uniform day.

The food bank is currently in particular need of the following items: jam, tea bags, tinned spaghetti, rice, tinned peas, long life fruit juice, tinned ham and coffee.

Of course, all donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thank you for helping us support our local community!

Have a wonderful weekend all,