Dear Parents
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all!” Aristotle
At Dumpton, our mission is to provide “a nurturing and aspirational environment where pupils can fulfil their academic and personal potential”. We recognise that success in the classroom is paramount – but never prioritise this at the expense of ensuring we are helping our pupils to become the very best person that they can be. It was particularly heart-warming therefore to receive a message this week from the organiser of the Bryanston football tournament about the U9 Boys Football team who narrowly lost the final of the competition:
Not only were they skilled, committed and determined on the field but they were polite and well mannered off it. I have to say that I have been doing these types of events for many years and the Dumpton boys were the first team I have ever seen clear their plates of food and say thank you to the catering staff at every opportunity which they really appreciated. The way in which they took a narrow defeat in the final was a reflection of their characters. Every one of the boys came to thank me for the tournament which to my knowledge was unprompted and they were the only school to do that. You are doing a great job in moulding them into good characters!
The sporting programme at Dumpton is of huge importance to us, and this is a perfect example of why: sport, amongst its many other benefits, is a brilliant way to develop character. Well done to the boys in this team for making us so very proud of you – but also thank you to the staff here at Dumpton who all work so hard to promote our values and virtues in all that they do.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
In our theme of the week this week children explored a whole range of issues linked to ‘EDI’, from gender discrimination and cultural differences to learning all about the importance of Black History Month (thank you to 7TR and for your excellent informative assembly). The main message to the pupils however is a simple one: we are all different, all unique, and all special in our own ways: and every single one of us should celebrate that diversity with pride, and recognise how much richer our lives are because of it.
Y8 Leadership Programme
All the children in Y8 were presented with their Leadership Badges by Mrs Shaw in Assembly on Monday – every Y8 has chosen areas of the school to play their part, from working with younger pupils or supporting events and assemblies, to being Global Citizenship Leaders, Sports Leaders, or Allotment Leaders. The Y8 Leadership Programme is part of the new ‘Dumpton Diploma’, and every pupil will be recognised for the contribution they make to the school this year.
Y8 Prefects
I am also delighted to announce that six pupils have been chosen as Y8 prefects in a vote by pupils and staff. Voters were asked to choose the pupils who best ‘lived the values’ of Dumpton School: congratulations to Alice H, Harry F, Harry R, Iris P, Alex G and Lily-Rose P.
Reception visit Wimborne Library
Reception had a wonderful Wednesday visiting Wimborne Library, the children were impeccably behaved, which was commented on by both library staff and the general public. After much fun hunting for book characters and listening to stories the children chose their own book learning about the library borrowing process.
U10 Football Success
Congratulations to our promising U10 footballers who won the Bryanston tournament on Wednesday. They won every single game, and didn’t even concede a goal. Well done to them all for their first bit of silverware for Dumpton: we feel sure that this might not be the last for this very hardworking, committed and enthusiastic group of players.
Book of Condolence
A huge thank you to Mrs Miller in the school office for pulling together our Book of Condolence for HM Queen Elizabeth II. It’s a very touching, very beautiful tribute to the Queen from all the pupils here at Dumpton – we will leave it in the front hall for a little while; do feel free to come and have a flick through it if ever you get a moment.
Dumpton Friends Quiz
Thank you so much to the Dumpton Friends for organising this community event – it was really well attended, and thank you to Mr Swift for making such a consummate quizmaster. The teachers’ team did end up coming out on top – hopefully a reassuring sign for parents that their children are in very capable and knowledgeable hands!
Global Citizenship: Food Bank and Sal’s Shoes
Mr Moulton and a few Y8 helpers took a minibus load of produce to Wimborne Foodbank today. Thank you to everyone for your generosity. We also wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated shoes for our collection last academic year. We were delighted to receive thanks from Sal's Shoes for the 9 large boxes that Dumpton managed to fill! Dumpton’s Global Citizenship in action.
New Parent Portal
One of our school priorities this year is improving our communication to you as parents, so we’re excited to be launching our new Parent Portal next week. Please look out for an email with instructions about how to log in early next week. The portal will be the home of lots of useful information, and is also personalised to you and your children, with documents like school reports and invoices all published here moving forward.
Wimborne Green Festival - from Mrs Cox
Just a reminder that Wimborne Green Festival is taking place this weekend if any families would like to pay it a visit.
Y7 and Y8 Public Speaking Competition
Public Speaking is such an important life skill, and my thanks got to the English Department for organising this annual House Competition. After some incredibly close fought class heats, the finalists have been chosen, and we look forward to seeing them on Monday at 4.25pm in the Assembly Hall as per the calendar. Parents are very welcome to attend.
From Mrs Mudd
All our choirs have had a great start to the new year and so we thought we should show you an example of some of their work. The junior choir have worked on some Harvest themed songs, and our Senior choir gave us a rendition of Coldplay's 'Fix You' in Performing Assembly a couple of weeks ago. I have been thrilled to see everyone working so hard with their singing and really giving it some welly. Bring on the Christmas singing!
Half Term Begins this Wednesday
We break up for half term at the end of the school day on Wednesday – I do wish everyone a fantastic half term break.
With best wishes
Christian Saenger
Headmaster