Dear Parents
Role models can have an incredible influence on children. Parents may have heard me say before, that whilst children are sometimes not very good at listening to their elders, they never fail to imitate them! I think the period of reflection and mourning over the last week has allowed us all to realise what an extraordinary role model Queen Elizabeth II was: her tireless dedication, her humility and selflessness, and her strong sense of moral purpose are examples to us all. There is a Book of Condolence in the front hall which any member of the school community is welcome to contribute to. At the moment, all Dumpton pupils are being given the opportunity, with the support of their teachers, to make their own contribution to the book. We feel sure the book will be a fitting way for the Dumpton community to share their immense gratitude to the Queen for all that she did.
Y8 Scotland Trip
Y8 are returning this evening from their Scotland Wilderness Adventure. Having been lucky enough to spend a couple of days with them at the beginning of the week up in Sutherland, I can assure you that every single child should be extremely proud of their accomplishments. They all managed to climb the mountain Arkle (783m), as well as undergoing activities like sea-kayaking, foraging, shelter building, fire-lighting and orienteering throughout the week to prepare them for an amazing experience: working as a team to survive a night on an island together. According to reports, they not only survived, they thrived! They have created some amazing memories – but just as importantly, they have learnt a huge amount about themselves and their potential. They will return full of confidence, and we cannot wait to see them put that into action for the remainder of their time at Dumpton.
Y5 Trip to the Purbecks
Whilst Y8 start the year with the Scotland trip, Y5 do something on a smaller scale in the Purbecks. They had a wonderful time playing in the sea, hiking, camping, coasteering and much, much more in what is always a really important beginning of the year bonding trip.
Y1 Wimborne Model Village Trip
Y1 also had an adventurous day trip this week, exploring Wimborne Model town as part of their Topic work. I am told their behaviour was immaculate – well done Y1!
ISI Visit
Parents may have heard that we had a visit from an ISI Inspector yesterday. Following our ‘Excellent in All Areas’ Inspection earlier this year, ISI returned to check our progress on the one area requiring attention, the delivery of Relationships and Sex Education in Y7 and Y8. All went very well indeed, and as well as praising the wonderful behaviour and manners of the pupils, the Inspector remarked that Dumpton’s practice in this area is an example to other schools.
DECA
The Dumpton Extra-Curricular Award launched this week with great success. Pupils will all get stuck into a range of activities across the year all aimed at helping pupils develop their character: activities like the Allotments, Radio Dumpton, Cooking and Water Safety all began yesterday, and it is so good to see the majority of the Juniors committing to DECA this year – I hope to see many DECA badges and certificates awarded at the end of the year!
Welcome Evenings
The Pre-Prep Welcome Evening begins at 7.30pm sharp in the Assembly Hall on Tuesday. We should be wrapped up well before 9pm, but there will be cheese and wine in the Dining Room afterwards and hopefully a nice chance to talk with other parents and staff. We look forward to seeing you there. As you know, the postponed Prep School Welcome Evening will now take place on Monday 26 September. More information will follow closer to the time.
Dumpton Friends: Dumpton Stroll and Classlist
We are so looking forward to the Dumpton Stroll on Sunday 25 September at 2pm. This short circular walk in the fields around Dumpton is followed by some light refreshments – wider family members and dogs are very welcome in what is always a lovely chance to get to know other families in the Dumpton community. Please RSVP via the Classlist invite – and for those not yet on Classlist https://www.classlist.com/ do get in touch if you are having trouble signing up.
A message from 4C
As part of the Global Citizenship section of DECA, 4C would like to set up 'wet weather boxes' with activities in them for wet play times for each form group in the prep school, and as part of the school's sustainability, don't want to get anything that is new. Do you have any unwanted or outgrown board games, jigsaws, puzzles, jenga, playing cards, Uno or anything else that might be good to play with in classrooms when the weather is poor? If so, could pupils bring it in and leave it in 4C's form room with Mme Curson.
Individual School Photographs
Fraser Portraits will be in school to take photographs of each child next Tuesday (20 September). They will also take sibling photographs. If you would prefer not to have a sibling photograph taken, please just let us know.
Key Events Next Week (please see sports site and calendar for all fixtures)
Monday 19 September
Bank Holiday
Tuesday 20 September
Week 3: Theme of the Week - Aim High
Individual School Photos 7.30pm - 9pm: Parents' Welcome Evening / Meet the Teacher (Rec to Y2)
Thursday 22 September
8.30am - 8.50am: Prep School Assembly - Performing Arts & Sports Reports
9am- 2pm: Y3 Visit to Stonehenge
With best wishes,
Christian Saenger
Headmaster