Dumpton Review 2024

2024

Autumn The

Term Review

FOUNDED 1903

Despite the best efforts of the weather, it has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces as we have started the school year – from our youngest and newest pupils, to our oldest and most experienced. The first few days of term are always such an exciting time for all concerned, full of hope and joy, and the optimism that comes from a new beginning: every child is starting a new chapter of their story.

As a staff, we spend the first few days of the Autumn Term re-establishing our expectations, routines, and the special culture here at Dumpton. The cornerstone of this is our values: Be Kind and Aim High. At Dumpton, these four words are more than just words – it is our aim that they live and breathe here in the corridors and the classrooms, in our conversations and in our actions.

They provide a shared understanding of what matters to us most, binding us together as a community.

Ultimately, these values shape our culture – what our pupils see, hear and feel around them each moment they spend here – and what could be more important than that?

It was an utter pleasure, therefore, to wander round the school and see doors held open for teachers and peers, to see new pupils welcomed so warmly, to observe acts of empathy and thoughtfulness, as well as seeing children try new things for the first time, showing bravery and courage, and being so determined to make a positive first impression on their teachers. Well done to our brilliant Dumpton pupils for living the values so well in the first term... a most promising start to the year indeed.

Christian Saenger Headmaster

@dumpton_school

Contents 1

Nursery

2

Pre-Prep

3

Prep

4

Year 8 Leadership Adventure

5

Nativity

6

Christmas Performances

7

Dumpton Friends

8

Dumpton Podcasts

9

The Dumpton Way/A Warm Welcome

10

Term Dates

Images by PaulWest Photography | This Review is sustainably printed by Shelleys of Sherborne and is 100% recyclable

Nursery

ok ‘Five Little Pre-School read the bo ved Pumpkins car y the d Pumpkins’ an of their own.

The children lo ved pl rain or shine th aying outside is term.

ples ed and ate ap Pre-School pick Orchard for snack. pton from the Dum

Nursery enjoyed exploring mark making in the snow.

The children watched the grounds machinery in action.

me seeds Nursery planted so g term. rin ready for the Sp

t at

Pre-School children found a nes Forest School.

Nursery childr en enjoyed with Miss Sopha dance lesson ie.

The Pre-Schoo searching for l had a great time pum Autumn Pum pkins on the pkin trail.

re great fun at Autumn leaves we rsery.

Nu r fo playtime

Pre-School harvested many

pumpkins.

Pre-School developed balance and coordination skills this term.

d great gymnastic Pre-School developeis term. skills th Nursery enjoyed the farmyard station in the classroom. low

Children enjoyed the wil den in Forest School.

activity loved this art The children with their feet! painting

The children observ the school haded how much rain this term.

We celebrated learning to ap Odd Sock Day together, preciate our di fferences.

Pre-

wonderful dragon Year 2 produced some eye artwork.

Reception loved making fest ive mince pies in Food Technolog y.

e The Year 2 children produced somk as wor ’ ght Kni a ing com fantastic ‘Be Castles. part of their topic of Knights and

te aliens h clay to crea ic. it w d ke or w Year 1 eir Space top as part of th

Year 1 learnt all about comets, made planet pizzas and created their own rocket for Space Day.

Reception visi te ahead of our d Wimborne Minster school Carol Se rvice.

Year 1 made the most of ou day in Dorset. r rare snow

Year 2 visited Highcliffe Castle and learnt about local history.

Year 2 played the pa they visited H rt of Knights when ighcliffe Castl e.

Prep

The children enjoyed ballet

Year 1 learnt about space metals and experimented with dry ice as part of Science.

Pre-Prep harvested and sampled apples from the Dumpton orchard.

Reception enjo outdoor cla yed porridge in the ssroom for snack.

architecture Year 2 explored castle . at Highcliffe

as a hobby.

The children learnt what food people ate historically as part of the Castles and Knights topic.

ng Year 1 had a fascinati o.

Zo ell rw Ma

time at

s as they stirred Reception made wishe pudding. the school Christmas

creative during Reception got our snow day.

Christmas lunch Year 8 enjoyed a merry mmings. tri the all with

ip as a e shopping tr their iv st fe a d a h in work Year 8 ll their hard reward for a adership roles. le

Parents got to see in progress w the pupils work ith a drop-in sessio parent n.

Year 7 explor ed rock at the marine y shore and ecosystems protec Kimmeridge ted zone of Bay.

Year 4 discovered many wonderful live animals with a classroom visit from Crazy Creatures.

Year 5 pushed outside their comfort zones with some tree top activities.

e with a

Year 5 explored our local coastlin field trip to Corfe Castle.

Ava in Year 7 represented Dumpton very successfully in the National Schools Equestrian competitions.

We all enjoye performances d Christmas musical from the Prep children this term.

Prep

Year 6 investigated meandering rivers in the New Forest.

U13 Hockey girls brought home the shield as County Champions.

ed together to All the children work re snow day ra a on n me build snow in Dorset this term.

Year 5 enjoyed team building exercises on their residential.

their rugby skills Year 7 boys developed sional rugby with Alumni and profes tt. player Will Bu

Year 5 enjoyed beach activities together at the start of term.

fundraise for Juniors ran together to pitches. ro ast r ou on y rit cha

Year 8 loved spending time together outside the classroom.

Year 3 visited the ancient historic al site of Stonehenge on a field trip.

Year 8 Leadership Adventure

“The best week of my life” Year 8 pupil

Nativity 2024

“When they saw the star they were overjoyed”

Christmas Performances

“At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year” Thomas Tusser

Dumpton Friends

Thank you for supporting our Christmas Fayre 2024 and thank you to all the parents who helped organise and run this memorable event.

Dumpton Podcasts We have been delighted to launch termly podcasts as part of our Dumpton Talks series.

We listen to the Headmaster, Bursar, teachers, wider staff, guest speakers, alumni and pupils share their insights, wisdom and anecdotes on the world of independent education.

Whether you are a parent, educator or just curious about independent school life, tune into one of our podcast episodes to learn more.

You can find our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon Music, and via our website.

Episodes this term include ‘GIVING YOUR CHILD THE BEST START’ We all want the very best start for our children in life and education. What foundations can we give? Head of Pre-Prep at Dumpton School, Kellie Wort together with Becky Taylor (Nursery Manager) and Alice Fisher (Y1 Teacher) have years of experience in giving the best start and share with you some insights into Nursery and Pre-Prep life at one of the most successful and established Prep Schools in Dorset. Their approach to learning, development and care is refreshing, honest and answers questions you didn’t know you had!

‘SCHOOL FEES’ The controversial and hot topic of newly introduced VAT on school fees.

Headmaster, Christian Saenger and Bursar, Justin Perry discuss how independent schools are navigating this change and how parents can look to plan for their children’s future education. For some families a full independent school educational journey may now be cut short and they may be asking which part can we fund and when will this have to end? Christian and Justin discuss how Dumpton are looking to support all their families and future families and offer their advice and thoughts on navigating this change.

‘DUMPTON DRIVE HOME’ A Christmas sing-a-long episode. We join some of Dumpton’s talented singing staff - Sam Moulton (Assistant Head), Sarah Oakes (Director of Performing Arts), Jillie Wilcock (Singing Teacher) and Natalie Warde (Performing Arts Teacher), as they share their favourite Christmas songs.

Resilience

The Dumpton Way Enthusiasm

Courage

Global Citizenship

Creativity

Collaboration

Empathy

Celebrating our Virtues

A Warm Welcome We would like to welcome the following new faces to the Dumpton staff.

Bella Ashworth Student Teaching Assistant

Harry Morgan Games Coach

Kellie Wort Head of Pre-Prep

Gemma Limpenny Maths Teacher

Kat Hatchard Year 2 Class Teacher

Academic Year 2024/25

Academic Year 2025/26

Autumn Term 2024 Staff Inset: Monday 2 September Staff Inset: Tuesday 3 September Autumn Term: Wednesday 4 September – Tuesday 17 December October Half Term: Thursday 24 October – Friday 1 November

Autumn Term 2025 Staff Inset: Monday 1 September Staff Inset: Tuesday 2 September Autumn Term: Wednesday 3 September – Tuesday 16 December October Half Term: Thursday 23 October – Friday 31 October

Spring Term 2025 Staff Inset: Monday 6 January Spring Term: Tuesday 7 January – Friday 28 March February Half Term: Monday 17 February – Friday 21 February Easter Holiday Club: Monday 31 March – Friday 4 April Summer Term 2025 Staff Inset: Tuesday 22 April Summer Term: Wednesday 23 April – Friday 4 July Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 5 May May Half Term: Monday 26 May – Friday 30 May Summer Holiday Club: Monday 7 July – Friday 18 July

Spring Term 2026 Staff Inset: Tuesday 6 January Spring Term: Wednesday 7 January – Friday 27 March February Half Term: Monday 16 February – Friday 20 February Easter Holiday Club: Monday 13 April – Friday 17 April Summer Term 2026 Staff Inset: Monday 20 April Summer Term: Tuesday 21 April – Friday 3 July Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May May Half Term: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May Summer Holiday Club: Monday 6 July – Friday 17 July Autumn Term 2026 Staff Inset: Tuesday 1 September Staff Inset: Wednesday 2 September Autumn Term: Thursday 3 September – Friday 11 December October Half Term: Wednesday 21 October – Friday 30 October

Deans Grove House, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7AF . 01202 883818 . www.dumpton.com