We have had another wonderful week of learning, despite the weather and the need for wet play! It is always quite tricky for many children to be inside all day, so we have tried tohave some time outside even if it is slightly raining. There have been so many exciting lessons and learning happening across the school.

Last week, a Y5 team took part in the cross Hackney Dodgeball competition. They really enjoyed it, played well, and came 4th! Well done! Thank you to Sharon for supporting them.T

he Nursery children have made kites and luckily we have had lots of wind this week, so they really enjoyed trying them out in the local park earlier this week. Reception classeshave been learning about space, and have been reading books, painting and drawing, learning about planets, rockets, martians and lots more. Shannon Class shared their learning in a lovely first Sharing Assembly this morning. Thank you to all the parents whocame and for your support in getting the children ready. It was lovely to see and hear allthe children confidently sharing what they have learnt with other EYFS children and theirparents. Well done and thank you to all the children in Karisimbi Class as well. They shared their learning about toys from the past and all their other learning so far this term! Thank you to all the parents who came along.

In Science, Y4 classes have been learning to recognise that vibrations from a sound travel through a medium to the ear. In Year 6 Science the children were experimenting with light and shadow. In Geography, Year 5 classes have been learning more about the UK, especially about human and physical geography, the use of land and how this has changed over time. Y2 classes have worked on some beautiful artwork this week inspired by Georgia O’Keefe, and have also been learning about Mary Seacole in History. Y1 classes have been finding out about the kind of toys that their parents might have used and have alsolearnt the story of Guru Nanak.

Thank you also to the parents who attended the Y4 Multiplication Tables Parent Information session on Tuesday. We hope you found it useful and that it will help you support your child to get ready for the tests that take place in June. Please look out for the Power-Point and other information via email for those who could not make it to the session. Thanks to Emma for organising.

Again, thank you also to all the many Reception parents who attended the Reading session on Monday -we hope you found the session useful and that your child will benefit! Thank you to Sheyenne and Kimberlie for organising and sharing the resources we use in school. After half term, we will be asking parents to volunteer to read in Reception classes at the end of the day, so watch out for the email/on Google Classroom to sign up!

Finally, many of you will know that Hackney schools and the Hackney Music Service hold an annual Music Gala at the Hackney Empire that showcases the best of the very talented Hackney children and young people! Hidaya-Rose, in Yangtze class was part of the brilliant ensemble, playing her violin. Well done Hidaya, we are very proud of you! Please come and ask if you are interested and we can pass on the details.

I hope you have a good weekend. Take care and stay well. Jane

We have had another wonderful week of learning at Millfields! The children have all been very busy in class and around the school. Very excitingly today, around 10am, there was a power cut that affected the whole of the ground floor and first floor mezzanine rooms -this meant no electricity until around 2pm, so no computers, no whiteboards, no magnets on main gates, no telephones, no kitchen facilities, no lights etc etc. A massive thank you to all the children and all the staff for helping out in so many different ways to ensure that the school remained safe, the learning continued and everyone had something to eat! There were cheers from around the school when the lights and screens all came back on!

Reception classes have been learning about space, and have been reading books, painting and drawing -learning about planets, rockets, martians and lots more.  Trent Class shared their learning in a lovely first Sharing Assembly this morning.  Thank you to all the parents who came, and for your support in getting the children ready. It was amazing to see and hear all the children, even though a few were a little bit shy,  sharing what they have learnt with other EYES children and their parents. Well done Trent Class!

Next week, we have lots of meetings for parents to support your child's learning. On Monday 27th January, we are asking Reception parents to come in for a meeting about early reading at either 9am or 5.15pm -this session will only last about half an hour, but will hopefully be very useful! Then on Tuesday 28th January at 9am or 5pm, for Y4 parents, there will be an information session about the Y4 Multiplication Tables Test that every child in England takes later this year. We hope to see lots of you there.

Congratulations and well done to the Y5 and Y6 Cyclists who took part in a Roller Bike session this week as part of the Hackney Cycling League. We had quite a few top 3 spots and we continue to lead the Hackney league table after 4 events. Thanks to parents, Anthony and Saga and to Nishie for their support.

Vicky met with our Eco-Champions this week, and I would like to remind you that they are very keen for you all to get involved in the National Birdwatch.  The Big Garden Birdwatch is for everyone, whether you're a complete beginner or a twitching expert.  Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 24th and 26th January 2025.  More information here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch

It is nearly that time of the year for Millfields  'Creative  Week'.  This is happening from Monday 10th -Friday 14th February when the children will all be immersed in this year's creative project that combines creativity with mental health. The theme this year is 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.' The children will produce pieces of artwork based on this theme throughout the week. For those who are new to Millfields this year, all of the work produced during this week - something from every child, will form an exhibition that parents are invited to visit. This will take place after half term on Wednesday 5th March, from 4pm-7pm, so please save the date.

Finally, we will have news about the new boilers/radiators and the completed roof, and scaffolding removal in the next week or so! Exciting times!!

Have a great weekend. Stay well and stay safe.

Jane

The children have all been working hard and been very busy as usual in class and around school and the wider community.

Y1 classes visited Stepney City Farm this week as part of their Science work this term on animals. They were really lucky with the weather and enjoyed learning more about animals in a Workshop 'Introduction to Farm animals'. They were all really excited to tell me about what they had seen and the animals that they were allowed to touch! Following on from the workshop in school last week, Y2 have continued their work on inspirational women.

Y6 have been reading and researching life in Victorian times and today, as part of their RE work, they had a talk and Q&A session from a local vicar ahead of their visit to a church in the next few weeks. We are encouraging leaders of all faiths to come into school to talk to classes as part of their Religion and World Views curriculum. If you or someone you know could help here, please do get in touch via info@millfields.hackney.sch.uk Y5 have continued their work on 'Our Changing World' including coastal erosion, and Y3 classes are really enjoying finding out about the Romans in their reading lessons and history lessons, and Y4 are learning all about Spain as a contrasting European country. There will be trips and workshops to enhance this learning over the next couple of weeks.

With regards to all the work happening to the building, I hope (fingers crossed) that we are nearly at the conclusion of the boiler and new radiator works. The pumps have not yet been connected and the radiators all checked, but by the end of next weekend, I really hope that they will be, and the job completed!  Also, the roof works, apart from the velux windows in the Nursery and a few snagging jobs, is finished. This means that over the next few holidays, some weekends and possibly some days in school, the scaffolding will start to come down! We are hoping that it will be clear of scaffolding by the end of the Easter holiday. Again, fingers crossed! The children, and staff and you probably will not believe how big the playground is after that!!

Also, a reminder that we need to have up-to-date address and phone number details for your child -we need at least 2 numbers for every child. Please either send an email to info@ or call the main office to update any details.

Finally, it is Sibling Photo Day on Monday 20th January, so please make sure that your children are wearing their uniform, hair brushed and looking smart!

I hope you all have a good weekend.  Take care, keep well and stay warm!  Best Wishes, Jane

Happy New Year and welcome back to all our children and families.  The children have returned looking well-rested, much taller and with lots of stories about their holidays with family and friends.  We also welcomed Laurence officially to the Millfields teaching team, as he will be the substantive teacher in Ganges Class.  This means that we said a sad farewell to Orla at the end of last term - I know that we all wish her the very best for the  future!  We have also welcomed a few new children and their families to different classes across the school this week, but also said 'goodbye' to families who have moved out of London.  Good luck to them in their new schools!

It has been a busy first week back and we have loved our learning, especially today as it is 'Hispanic Day'. We really enjoyed seeing all the children and staff dressed up to celebrate all things Hispanic today.  Some great costumes and lots of colours from the flags of Spanish-speaking countries - thank you.  As part of this week's learning, children across the school have been learning about different artists including Miro, Picasso and Frida Kahlo and have produced some lovely artwork, and each year-group has also been researching a different Hispanic country and have learnt lots of new information and facts!  Some classes have also been learning a few Salsa moves during PE lessons.  Year 3 classes made their own pinata and had great fun trying to find out what was inside! Y2 also had a tasty guacamole treat this afternoon. Thanks also to the kitchen staff who created a Spanish-themed lunch for today. Thank you everyone for joining in and making this a fun first week!  All of the week's activities wouldn't have been possible without the enthusiasm and organisation from our Spanish teacher, Belen, so a huge 'thank you' Belen!

Reception Classes visited the Science Museum this week as part of their learning this term, and in the next few weeks there will be lots of WOW trips for each class.  This is a trip that adds context and interest to the class topic!  Please make sure that you have signed the 'All London Trips letter' ASAP and also made a contribution to WOW trips via Scopay. Many thanks for your support. There are some trips planned for next week, so please look out for details on Google Classroom.

I continue to be amazed by the generosity of the Millfields community - the Millfields Food Stall started again this week and was busy as ever, and more so with the continuing cost of living crisis.  The families using the Family Food Stall are so grateful and it makes such a difference in these tough times for us all.  Please drop any items to the main office on Wednesday, ready for the following day.  We always need eggs, tins of soup, pasta, rice, tuna, tinned fruit, veg and meat soup and biscuits, as well as loo roll, washing powder and shower gel.  Anything else is also gratefully received.  Thank you!

Please make sure that you and your child check's Google Classroom for information and home learning projects/homework.  The termly learning booklet for each class will be sent out via email and posted there early next week. Please also look out for dates for Y5 Kench Hill Parent Meetings, Reception Reading meeting for parents, Y4 Times Tables test parent meetings and Y1 Phonics Test Parent meetings coming up this half term. Reminder texts will also be sent!

Finally, a reminder about school starting times.  School starts at 8:40am for children in Nursery, Reception, Y1 & Y2, so you need to be at school for 8:35am so the children are in class and ready to learn at 8:40am.  For children in Y3, Y4, Y5 & Y6, school starts at 8:50am, so please be at school for 8:45am so they are in class at 8.50am.

Have a good weekend.  Stay warm and well. Take care. Jane

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. Very best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025.

I hope you had a good time over the holidays with family and friends.

Spring term 2025 starts on Monday 6th January. I look forward to seeting you all then.