Dear Parents
It’s been Children's Mental Health Week at Dumpton this week, and it has been lovely to reflect on this year’s theme: ‘My Place’. Something integral to young children’s wellbeing is a feeling of ‘belonging’. This is a fundamental human need – a feeling of acceptance, of community, and of connection. Whilst our family and our homes should give us that in abundance, we hope that for all children at Dumpton, that sense of belonging applies to school too.
One of the biggest factors affecting wellbeing and mental health in adolescent children is currently screens, smartphones and social media; there is sadly a growing body of evidence about the harm that unfettered access to these technologies can cause in young, developing brains. Whilst technology is going to be a huge part of our children’s lives and is capable of the most wonderful things, we must be aware of the hidden dangers, and be really intentional about the part it plays in our children’s lives.
Thankfully, there is a real sense of momentum building worldwide about this issue. More and more parents are becoming aware of the need to manage screens and smartphones with great care, whilst prioritising the importance of ‘real world’ interactions and experiences. As Jonathan Haidt, author of the Anxious Generation says, ‘we are over protecting our children in the real world, and under protecting in the virtual world.’
It was fantastic to be joined by so many of you for our webinar last night. If you didn’t make it, a recording is below. I would urge all of you to give it a watch. I would argue it is the most important topic facing us all as parents right now, and whatever our own personal decisions for our family, making sure we have all the information and awareness we need as parents is key.
Navigating a Childhood of Screens, Smart Phones and Social Media-20260205_200200-Meeting Recording.mp4
Tournament Success
As well as our usual fixtures against Walhampton this week, we have had some great success at tournaments. Well done to our U11 Girls Netball team who performed brilliantly at Canford, as well as our U11 and U13 Boys Hockey Teams, who both tested themselves against the best teams across the region in the IAPS Qualifiers. Our U11Bs won the Plate competition, whilst our U13s went undefeated until the Semi-Finals of the Cup, where they lost 1-0 to the eventual winners Wellington College Prep. Dumpton continues to punch well above its weight, and we’re so proud the hard work, resilience and teamwork of all the pupils.
Ski Trip
We’ve had a very positive interest in the Ski Trip. As a result, Mrs Sowden has written to parents in Y5, Y6 and Y7 today with the chance to confirm a place for a wonderful trip to Passo Tonale in Italy. Please complete the form to confirm your place and deposit by Monday – this will allow us to confirm numbers and flights to be booked at the best possible price!
From Dumpton Friends
Dumpton Friends Quiz night, supported by the fabulous East Street Deli, is taking place on Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm. Come along to test your knowledge or to catch up and have fun with friends. Book your ticket now on Classlist. We need to get final numbers to East Street Deli by Monday!
Pre-Prep and Nursery Art Competition
We are delighted to announce this year’s Pre-Prep and Nursery Art Competition with the exciting theme “Buildings”! Children are invited to create an A4 piece of artwork entirely by themselves using any medium they choose – collage, pastels, paint, drawing and more are all welcome. Their building could be something real, such as their home, our school, a shop or famous landmark, or something wonderfully imaginative like a castle in the clouds, a superhero hideout or a house in space. Please remember to write your child’s full name and class on the back of their artwork, and hand all entries to class teachers on or before Monday 2nd March. We can’t wait to see their fantastic creations!
Drop Ins and Parents Evenings
There is lot of opportunities to touch base at the moment, with a number of Parents Evenings over the coming weeks, as well as Drop Ins next week.
With best wishes for the weekend.
Christian Saenger
Headmaster
Key Events for W/B Monday 9 February 2026
WEEK B
Week 6: Theme of the Week – Internet Safety
Monday 9 February
All Day Canford Academic Scholarships
Y8 Mock Dumpton Certificate Examinations
15.45-18.00 Reception, Y1 & Y2 Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 10 February
All Day Canford Academic Scholarships
Y8 Mock Dumpton Certificate Examinations
Safer Internet Day
8.15-8.50 Y3 and Y4 Parent Drop-In
14.15-16.15 Sports Fixtures (Y3 – Y4) - Please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
15.45-18.00 Reception, Y1 & Y2 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 11 February
14.15-16.15 Sports Fixtures (Y5-Y8) - Please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
15.00-15.30 Pre-Prep Class Assembly (2H)
Thursday 12 February
All Day Bryanston Imagine Day (for pupils in Y6 and Y7 who have registered for a Y9 place in either 2027 or 2028 entry)
19.30 Dumpton Friends Quiz: Dining Room
Friday 13 February
All Day Swimming: Mixed U13A IAPS Qualifier - Bryanston - please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
8.15-8.50 Year 5 and Year 6 Parent Drop-In
14.15-16.15 House Challenge Afternoon (L5 and L6)
17.45 Half Term Begins (normal school day and buses as usual)