Dear Parents
With the House Cross Country taking place next week, this week marks the end of the Netball and Hockey season for our girls and boys. And what a brilliant season it has been. We’ve had some extraordinary success in terms of matches won, and some brilliant tournament success from a number of teams. A special mention must go to our U13A Boys who have been competing at Repton in Derbyshire today in the IAPS National Finals (STOP PRESS! They finished 10th in the country!) and away from tournaments, the Boys U10A who have had an unbeaten season.
However, at Dumpton we don’t measure our sport by winning: and we’re absolutely clear to the children that win, lose or draw, sport is about far more important things. It’s about enjoyment first and foremost. It’s about playing in a team with your friends. It’s about learning how to win well, and learning how to lose well. It’s about falling over but picking ourselves up, about tenacity, resilience and courage. It’s about putting the needs of the team before ourselves. And it’s about applying ourselves to training and practice with determination and enthusiasm, so we improve. In many ways, sport is about life! And that’s why it's such an important part of our character education here at Dumpton, and woven so much into the fabric of school life.
We’re really proud that despite the success of our top teams and athletes, that sport at Dumpton is as inclusive as possible, and really for everyone. A huge thank you to Mr Randle, Mrs Clemmitt, and all the staff who coach games, drive minibuses to distant parts of Dorset, and allow this wonderful sporting programme to happen each week. Thank you too to the parents who travel home and away to support the teams so often – Dumpton parents always seem to have the biggest number of supporters: we hope Steph’s lovely match tea is a fitting way to thank you!
Pre-Prep Games
As well as their weekly PE and Swimming lessons, Y1 and Y2 have been enjoying their lunchtime Games sessions with Mr Harris and Miss Shepherd having taken over from Mr Grogan this term. Indeed, next term Y2 can look forward to their very first taste of a ‘fixture’ - and we do hope both children and parents will enjoy this taste of Prep school sporting life.
Mary Poppins – A few tickets remaining
Well done to both casts of Mary Poppins for getting through their dress rehearsals so well today. We’re all so excited about early next week – a small number of tickets remain, so if any pupils or parents are interested, do get in touch with Mrs Miller in the school office.
Groovy Greeks and Olympians!
It was all quite ‘Ancient Greece’ in the Pre-Prep this week, with Y1 exploring all things ‘Olympic’ on Thursday, including plenty of fun competitions as well as some ‘passing the baton’ (thank you to Mr Pulis for his inspiring visit!), and Y2 exploring Greek Mythology on Wednesday, producing some amazing mythic creatures, as well as other lovely activities centred around their topic work for this half term. Thank you so much to Mr Clark, Miss Goodhew, Mrs Fisher and Mrs Morton for putting on such an enjoyable and memorable day for the pupils, and really bringing their learning to life.
Y3 Trip to Nothe Fort
Well done also to Y3, who looked absolutely superb dressed as evacuees for their WWII experience day at Nothe Fort. They learned all about the experiences of children during the war, and even experienced what it would be like to be in an Air Raid. Again, a big thank you to Mrs Brass and Mrs Williams for this fantastic learning opportunity.
Swimming Success
A big well done to two of our star swimmers at Dumpton. After the Dorset County Championships this year, Millie N is ranked fifth in Dorset and Izzy B eighth overall. They have both managed to achieve qualifying times for the South-West Regional Competition (Millie 7 and Izzy 2) at the end of April and are currently training really hard for that. They are also in the top 2 medley and freestyle relay teams in Dorset. We wish them the best for the upcoming South-West Regionals!
Science Week - from Mrs Catton
Pupils' have embraced British Science Week with enthusiasm and curiosity. Year 5 were fantastic on the Trip to the Winchester Science Centre and enjoyed their workshop on the properties of materials. There was a great variety of slime made! The exhibits and the planetarium show were excellent. It's been lovely to hear that it has ignited an interest in science beyond the curriculum with pupils asking to go back at the weekend! Please look out for photos.
Lessons have included learning about biomagnification, the timeline of the universe, and chemical reactions over time, to name a few. More to look forward to next week, alongside the practical workshops.
We have already received poster entries for the British Science Week poster competition, and there is still time to get your 'time' themed entries into your science teacher by the end of term.
Sublime Science – from Mrs Catton
We are excited to welcome the award winning, Sublime Science to explore science through a series of innovative and awe-inspiring workshops, taking place on Thursday 21 March. As part of the Dumpton Science Week celebrations, which will take place at school for all pupils in Year 2 to Year 6. No doubt it will be a fun-filled and unforgettable day for all involved.
STA vacancy
Our wonderful Student Teaching Assistant, Mr Harvey, is sadly leaving us at the end of this term to travel the world. Do you know a hardworking and lovely pre- or post-University person that might be interested in doing a Summer Term full-time at Dumpton? To start April 2024. For more information, please contact Mrs Shaw on h.shaw@dumpton.com or call the Main Office number.
Summer Ball – Reminder for Tickets!
Please do remember to reserve your tickets for the Summer Ball which takes place on Saturday 18 May before the Early Bird discount ends! Just to clarify it is a sit-down waiter served three course meal and we will be asking guests for their seating preferences nearer to the time – so you can sit with your friends! We would really like to sell as many tickets as we can before Easter so do click here.
Easter Egg Hunts - From Dumpton Friends
Dumpton Friends have been in touch with the Easter Bunny to organise some fun Easter Games for all the children on Friday 22 March. We hope your children enjoy the afternoon! These will be taking place in the middle of the school day.
The Nursery Egg Hunt takes place at 3pm in the Adventure Playground. For those not normally in attendance on Friday afternoons, you are welcome to bring your child to the Nursery Garden at 2.45pm in order to join in. If Nursery parents want to be there, the Easter Bunny kindly reminds them that they are spectators and not participants!
With best wishes for a lovely weekend.
Christian Saenger
Headmaster
Key Events Week Beginning 18/03/2024:
Week 11: Theme of the Week - Easter
Week A
Monday 18 March
14.30: Mary Poppins Production CAST 1
17.00: Mary Poppins Production CAST 2
Tuesday 19 March
PM: Sports Fixtures (Y3-Y4) - please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
14.30: Mary Poppins Production CAST 2
17.00: Mary Poppins Production CAST 1
Wednesday 20 March
PM: Sports Fixtures (Y5-Y8) - please see Dumpton Sports Site for full details
15.00: Pre-Prep Class Assembly (RM)
Thursday 21 March
Juniors Sublime Science Day
14.45: Reception Pet Show
16.15: Final DECA of the term
Friday 22 March
Dumpton Friends - Easter Egg Hunts throughout the afternoon
15.15: Y8 Performance to Parents
15.30: Pre-Prep Term Ends. Buses and after school club as usual
17.45: Prep School Term Ends (lessons end at 16:15 - supervision available until 17:45). Buses as usual