Thursday 6th July 2023
06 July 2023

Thursday 6th July 2023

Dear Parents,

In my last letter of the year, I am really proud to announce that Dumpton has been shortlisted for the ‘Independent Prep School of the Year’ Award. This is lovely news, and recognition I hope of the success of many recent initiatives, as well as, of course, the brilliant outcomes our pupils are achieving. We will hear plenty more on Speech Day tomorrow – do please take a good read of the various information below which I hope wraps up this year for us all ahead of our very special community occasion tomorrow. 

Speech Day 

For your ease I have included the arrangements for the day below once again.  May I just remind you that there are no minibuses running tomorrow and the Nursery will be open for a morning session until 11.30am only.  

  • 9.15-9.30am - Arrival of pupils and parents. Additional parking will be available across the road on the sports field. All Reception to Y8 children will go to their classrooms to be registered. There will be pre-ceremony refreshments for parents outside the Sports Hall. 
  • 9.45am - Doors Open. Parents can take their seats. Reception to Y8 pupils will arrive and sit in their year groups. There will be seats reserved for Y8 parents. 
  • 10.00am - Ceremony Begins. 
  • 10.45am - Pre-Prep children return to their classrooms with their teachers. All parents stay for the remainder of the ceremony. 
  • 11.30am - Ceremony Ends. Prep children and Pre-Prep children dismissed. 
  • 11.30am - Dumpton Friends Picnic begins - parents are responsible for their children! 
  • 11.30am - Leavers Drinks on the Front Lawn for any pupils and parents who are leaving Dumpton this year. Please note that children need to remain with their parents and must not be unaccompanied at the picnic. 

National Champions! 

For the second year running, Dumpton has two National Champions in Harry R (Hurdles and 300m) and Seni P (Hurdles). Seni also gained a silver medal in the 300m, whilst Issy N secured a silver in the javelin. We are so proud of them, as well as Abby W and Marni P who also qualified. 

Holiday Activity Sheet 

Children in the Pre-Prep and the Juniors have been given a ‘Holiday Activity’ sheet of some fun tasks they might like to do over the summer holidays, just to ensure they keep themselves ‘ticking over’ ahead of the new academic year. They are entirely optional, but we hope that you find them useful. 

Year Group Photos and Team Photos  

A reminder that we still have some photographs to be collected from the School Office. 

School Reports 

School reports for Reception to Y8 will be published on the parent portal imminently. They are a delightful read and I imagine many parents will be very proud indeed on receiving them. An email will be sent to confirm their publishing, with instructions for logging onto the Parent Portal or iParent app for those parents who have forgotten. 

The Next Academic Year– Key Dates for your Diary 

We thought it would be useful to share a few important early dates for next term with you all. Again, we do hope all parents will try to attend ‘The Year Ahead’ evenings in September. 

Late August - Back to School letters sent out (lots of information about the year ahead, including academic information, hobbiessign up, before and after school club, and key dates)

  • Wednesday 6 September - First day of Term 
  • Saturday 9 September – Y8 Scotland Trip Departs 
  • Monday 11 September - ‘The Year Ahead’ Information Evening (Y3 to Y7) 
  • Tuesday 12 September - ‘The Year Ahead’ Information Evening (Pre-Prep) 
  • Tuesday 12 September – Y5 Purbecks Trip Departs 

Charity Fundraising Hobbies Group - from Mr Tridgell 

A final note to congratulate all of the pupils involved in the Charity Fundraising Hobbies Group. A total of £288.91 was raised and Margaret Green Animal Rescue Charity were absolutely thrilled with the hard work and dedication of the Dumpton pupils. Sabela and Kitty also went on to plan and lead an Assembly for the Juniors and were fantastic ambassadors and wonderful role models. We are all extremely proud.  

Considering Learning an Instrument? From Mrs Mudd 

The start of the year is a good time to consider starting a new instrument or enhancing your drama and public speaking skills. We are always ready to welcome to some new musicians and actors to our extracurricular performing arts programmes. If you would like to sign your child up for instrumental, vocal or LAMDA lessons please see the links below which can also be found on the Parents' portal. If you child already receives individual LAMDA and music lessons, lessons will rollover to next term. As ever, half a term's notice is due should you wish to discontinue these lessons. 

Apply for instrumental/vocal lessons 

Apply for LAMDA lessons 

Weekly Music and LAMDA timetable 

In the meantime, may I take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful Summer Break. 

With very best wishes 

Christian Saenger 
Headmaster

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