17 February 2017

Headmaster's Newsletter, Friday 24 February 2017

24 February 2017

Dear Parents

Scholarship News
I am delighted to announce a number of well-earned scholarships to date.  William B has been awarded an All-Rounder Scholarship and Angus W a Sports Scholarship to Bryanston. At the same time Alicia H, Bella H and Rosie I have been awarded Sports Scholarships to Canford and Karesha O a Sports Scholarship to Ballard. Last but not least, Louis G has been awarded an Academic and Music Scholarship to BCS.  Many congratulations to all, and well done to all those who have worked hard in preparation for the scholarship season, whatever their result.  Good luck now to the many other scholarship candidates over the coming weeks.  

Music at Dumpton
A big thank you to all the musicians who took part in the Informal Lunchtime Concert in the Recital Room today. There were so many musicians asking to play we have added another concert next Monday (27 February).  It was a pleasure to watch the full-range of talents on show, from beginners to seasoned performers, all brimming with confidence.

Dumpton Steels
We have been invited to play at the Fair Trade Day in Wimborne tomorrow (Saturday 25 February) on the Minster Green. A group of Year 4 – Year 6 pupils will perform with staff as a combined Staff/Pupil Steel Band from 11.15 to 12.15pm.  If you are passing, do come and give us a cheer ….

Book Fair
From Monday we have the Book Fair in the Recital Room for the whole of the week.  Miss Fox has sent home a letter with details of when your child will be visiting the fair and how to purchase books.  Also, don’t forget a costume to depict your favourite book character on Thursday!

News from the Pre-Prep
Reception made tortellini today with Mrs Accorsi (Mother of Grace and Isabella) who is from Bologna, the capital city of food in Italy!  The children filled the tortellini with ricotta and spinach, learning the legend of Aphrodite and the kitchen boy along the way!  There was lots of fun and lots of laughter with Verdi’s Aida playing in the background.  Reception were also very lucky to have Jackie from the RNLI visit earlier in the week, she talked to the class about the role of the RNLI and water safety.  Just a note that Reception will not be dressing up on World Book Day as they are going to Moors Valley for the day.

Sports News
We have had a very successful week with 20+ fixtures against a host of other schools, and a very busy day here at school.  Of particular note was an impressive 2nd place at the West Hill Park Tournament for the 1st VII  boys’ hockey side. Congratulations also to the U13 girls who won their PEDSSA Netball Tournament yesterday and now qualify for the County Championships next Saturday.  Breaking news – well done to the U9A boys who won the Salisbury Cathedral School Hockey Tournament today.   

Parents’ Evenings
Thank you again for your positive response to the Year 8 Parents’ Evening this week. The Year 5 evening now follows next week on Tuesday 28 February. A big thank you should go to Mrs Sharp again for her faultless organisation.  If there are any parents that have not yet booked for the remaining 3 evenings this term (Year 5, Year 7 and Year 6) please use the following link to the online booking system which you will need to type in your web browser www.dumptonschool.com/parentsevening 

Also coming up next week we have … 

Monday 27 February     Book Fair in the Recital Room (all week)
                                   1.30 pm Informal Lunchtime Concert
Tuesday 28 March        Mini Model United Nations at Bryanston (Year 7 group)
                                   U8, U9 Boys’ Hockey fixtures
                                   5 p.m. Year 5 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 1 March     24 fixtures/tournaments/festivals 
Thursday 2 March         World Book Day
                                   Reception Visit to Moors Valley Country Park
                                   U11 Netball IAPS Regionals at Port Regis
                                   Year 7 and 8 Cross Country Relays at Bryanston (Boys)
Friday 3 March             Visiting author – Lauren St John
                                   Year 4 Prep School Singing Day at Canford
                                   U11 Boys’ Hockey IAPS Regionals at Clifton College
                                   U12 and U13 Netball IAPS Regionals at Port Regis
Saturday 4 March         U12 and U13 Netball County Championships at BSG

With best wishes
Andrew Browning
Headmaster

PS We have been advised by Wessex Water that there will be traffic lights on Smugglers Lane together with staggered closures on Furzehill, Dogdean and the Grange to facilitate essential water maintenance.  The dates that we have been given are Monday 13 to Friday 24 March and the work will take place between 7am and 6pm.


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