It was a beautifully observed Remembrance Service today at school. A haunting, melancholic version of Flanders Fields from the Senior Choir was followed by the Y4 and Y5 Choirs singing Poppies by Kate Courage with such passion and tenderness that I was, like many others in the room I am sure, profoundly moved. A silent procession led us to join the Pre-Prep children around the war memorial, to hear Y8 read the names of every Old Dumptonian who made the ultimate sacrifice for our future and freedom. Freddie B played the Last Post perfectly, before Milo F, Sophie Y, Solly A and Jamie W laid wreaths on behalf of the whole school as we observed our two minute silence.
It was a deeply moving occasion – but also a time to feel very proud of our pupils and our school. My thanks go to Mrs Shaw for her superb organisation, and Ms Oakes for inspiring those memorable choir performances.
We are sorry that there is no room for parents to join our Remembrance Service – but you can find some lovely footage and pictures on our social media as usual: Click here
Odd Socks Day – this Tuesday!
Next week is Anti-Bullying Week, and your children can show their support by wearing odd socks to school. We look forward to exploring and discussing anti-bullying with the children, and to a particularly colourful day on Tuesday... the brighter and odder the better!
Nursery Team
I wanted to take a moment to give some recognition to our fantastic Nursery Team. With over 50 children on roll, I am always amazed by how calm and purposeful the Nursery rooms are, and how happy and content the children appear to be as they go about their business. I am sure you will all join me in saying a special thank you to Mrs Goodwin, Mrs Richard and Mrs Harper with the Dandelions, and Mrs Taylor, Mrs Corfield, Mrs Patel and Mrs Goulding with the Snowdrops and Bluebells. With such a fantastic team, it is no wonder the Dumpton Nursery is thriving.
School Council Committees – Pupil Voice
Over 30 Prep School pupils were selected to take part in School Council Committee meetings this morning. The General Committee were looking at our Hobbies offering, as well as school lunches, with me, the Eco Committee the school’s future sustainability strategy with Mrs Cox, and the Wellbeing Committee were discussing the school’s recent wellbeing survey for pupils that we undertook, and how it might be improved, with Mr Moulton. Giving pupils’ a genuine voice in the school is increasingly important, and an area of focus for us this year.
Sport
Fantastic to see the boys tackling their first rugby fixtures of the season this week – apologies to parents for some very muddy kit! A special mention too, to our girls for their progress with football and hockey at the moment – there are some superb match reports from the week that has been attached.
Primary Maths Challenge – From Mr Smith
All of the pupils in Year 6 and the majority in Year 5 sat the Primary Maths Challenge on Monday. Six pupils gained a gold certificate; Harry C & Felix SV (both joint best in school), Flynn B, Chloe G, Annabel B and Alex T. There were an additional 10 silver and 14 bronze certificate winners, which represents an excellent achievement. Very well done to all the pupils who took part.
We are recruiting!
We are looking for an outstanding Teaching Assistant/Early years Practitioner to join our brilliant Pre-Prep and Nursery team. All the details can be found on our website – so spread the word! www.dumpton.com/vacancies
Christmas Designs – Collection
If your child designed a Christmas Card Design, and if you ordered some products with your child’s design on, then they will be available to collect this Monday 13 November from the School Office at 3.30pm and at 4.15pm pick up times. Rachel and Kate from Dumpton Friends are kindly going to set up a collection point in the office at these set times. Please pop by to collect yours if you are expecting an order. Thank you!
Y8 Exams next week
Good luck to Y8 for your final revision this weekend, and we wish you the very best for the exams next week. You will be brilliant I am sure!
Year 6, 7 and 8 Disco – Friday 17 November
Next Friday is the Year 6, 7 and 8 Disco kindly organised by Dumpton Friends – all the details can be found on Classlist, as well as the opportunity to purchase tickets.
Cereal Boxes – From Mrs Goodwin
If you have any clean and empty cereal boxes at home, or any recycled thin cardboard, please can they be donated to Nursery. They are very useful for our craft activities, we appreciate any donations, thank you so much!
Dumpton Friends Fundraiser – Thursday 16 November
Dumpton Friends are putting together a cookie sale on Thursday 16 November from 3pm - 5:30pm to raise much needed funds for the British Red Cross Israel and Gaza appeal which is providing support and vital aid to communities on both sides of the crisis. We want to support to all those innocent people, especially children, who have been caught up in this terrible conflict. Please donate any flavoured cookies to school by this Thursday morning and we will do our best to raise as much money as possible by selling them in the afternoon. Please do not bring any cookies containing nuts. If you don’t fancy putting on your apron, then please donate whole packets of cookies and they will be sold as whole packets and not single cookies due to any nut contamination. Thank you so much in advance for your support.
Christmas Present Appeal - From Dumpton Friends
As mentioned in last week’s end of week letter, we are again running a Christmas Present Appeal to contribute to the national campaign run by The Salvation Army. Catherine Oliver, a parent of a Year 8 pupil is kindly coordinating the collection for children who may otherwise not get any gifts. Please drop any gift donations at the School Office. The Appeal works with Social Services to provide local vulnerable children in the Wimborne area with Christmas presents. For more information about the Appeal, including the sort of things they are looking for, take a look at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal
Key Events Week Beginning 13/11/2023:
Week 10: Theme of the Week - Antibullying Week: Reach Out
WEEK B
Monday 13 November
Antibullying Week
Y8 Exams
Tuesday 14 November
Odd Socks Day!
Y8 Exams
8.30: Prep School Senior Assembly (6J)
PM: Sports Fixtures (Y3-Y4) - please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
Wednesday 15 November
Y8 Exams
PM: Sports Fixtures (Y5-Y8) - please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
Thursday 16 November
Y8 Exams
AM: Reception visit Wimborne Library
8.30: Prep School Assembly - Performing Arts & Sports Reports
PM: Dumpton Friends Cookie Sale Fundraiser
Friday 17 November
8.00: Staff Breakfast
8.30: Prep School Junior Assembly (3W)
17.15: Year 6, 7 & 8 Disco