We have had a very busy and productive week at Millfields - the children have been really engaged in their learning as always.  The best part of my day is walking around school and visiting each class to see and speak to the children about what they are doing in class.  The children always talk about their learning enthusiastically and want to show me their fantastic work.  It is such a pleasure to witness and be part of every day.  Time seems to be flying by! Only 4 weeks until half term!  Just a reminder that half term is Monday 28th - Friday 1st November.

For new parents and families, we have several opportunities throughout the year to meet the teacher to find out how your child is doing in school. We have listened to feedback and this year are having the first Parents Evenings before half term on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th October. reported feedback was that you felt that an earlier opportunity to meet the teacher would be more beneficial so that any issues or support could be identified and dealt with earlier! You will receive information next week about how to sign up -you will need a Scopay account, so if you do not have one, please get that sorted ASAP.

Before that, on Tuesday 8th October at 9am there will be a 'Welcome Meeting' for all Reception parents/carers. This will be for the whole year group and will be an opportunity to hear about the learning that will be taking place in class, about routines, and also how you can support your child. The EY lead will be there, as well as the SENCo and other members of SLT.

Another date for your diary is the Black History Season celebration that will take place on Wednesday 6th November after the children have completed all the work that will begin next week. This is a lovely family event where we share the children's great work and share lovely food too. This includes celebrating National Poetry Day by looking at significant poets from the Caribbean, Class Projects -each class/year group will study a different Caribbean country, reading Black History Texts (English & History), visits to Hackney Museum for Workshops and taking part in steel pan in-school workshops. In addition there will be a Homework Project, and Non-uniform Day on Friday 25th October for 'Show Racism the Red Card'.

We are at the end of another busy week - it seems like we have been back for ages, and it's only the end of week 3!

Last Sunday was the Thames Festival, and 12 of our KS2 choir members took part in the London School Choirs event. It was a beautiful sunny day, the sound of the 200 plus children singing and the whole atmosphere and experience was amazing for the children and their families. Well done to all the children involved and thank you to Roz and Tom for organising, and to Emma for coming along to help out!

Individual school photos were taken on Tuesday, and all of the children looked so smart in their uniforms.  The photos are available to purchase via the QR code on the slip that your child should have brought home.  Please see your child's teacher in the first instance, and then Rema at the main office if you have not received yours!  Sibling photos will be taken later this term - watch out for the date!

Well done to all the Reception and Nursery children who are coming in through the gates on their own now and skipping down to their classrooms. There are still a few children finding the morning separation difficult but they will soon join their classmates - parents don't worry!  The children will get there in their own time!

Millfields have already been busy on the sporting front, as on Wednesday, 8 of our very keen Y3 & Y4 children took part in a Hackney tennis tournament.  The children had a good time and played so well, and even though they didn't win, they were  very good losers! Great effort everyone.  Well done to Julio, Yannick, Dylan, Dexter, Aubrey, William, Tabitha and Megan!  Thanks to Adele and Chris for taking them and encouraging them! Also on Wednesday, Y3 and Y4 girls played in the Hackney Football tournament. They played so well for the first time altogether, and made the semi finals, eventually coming 3rd overall. Well done to the girls team -Artemis, Margo, Freya, Coraly, Orla, Audrey, Annie, Florence, Cecily and Nina! Superstars! And thanks to Izaac and Sharon for supporting the team.

Well done also to both boys and girls from Y5 & Y6 who took part in the Hackney District Trials last week. They were up against some tough competition and some great players, and some got through to the next round! I will update you next week! Well done to everyone who tried out. Thanks to Sharon and Izacc for supporting the children.

Also this week, our classes have started visiting Hackney Museum as part of the whole school work on Black History Month that is officially in October. Every class in Y1 -Y6 will visit the Hackney Museum as part of their learning. This week, Fitz Roy, Shenandoah, Orinoco  This experience will enhance their learning in class, and help with their project work in class. Other classes will be visiting over the next few weeks until half term, and beyond.

The Hackney Museum Exhibition is the story of carnival in Hackney and is a new exhibition that brings together this history for the first time. For those who don't know, Hackney has been the home of carnival groups since the 1970s when Caribbean communities settled in the borough. Since then, Hackney Carnival has evolved into a community celebration that takes over the streets with a parade of mass bands, steel pans and soca music.The exhibition features the stories of carnival groups in Hackney over 50 years, explored through costumes, photographs, videos, and child-friendly interactives and exhibits. It is well worth a visit.

And of course, it is the Hackney Carnival this weekend -Sunday 22nd September, back after a 5 year absence! Hackney Carnival is the second biggest  See the flyer later in the Mag.

The Millfields & Empathy Animals Dog Show, 'Dog's Day Out' takes place next Saturday 28th September in the school playground.  Please see the QR code on the posters later in the Mag and on the email sent out. Please get your dog registered, or just come to take part in the fun! There will be food, games, tombola, dog trick classes, dog photo booth and lots more as well as the competition itself!

The Friday Bake sale starts again today, so please support the school and PSA by buying a cake or two, and when it is your class turn, please help with donating cakes and/or helping on the day.

Thank you to the parents and carers who came to the Y1 and Y2 parent reading sessions in classes today. This happens every Friday from 8.35am until 8.55am. Everyone is welcome!

Finally, thank you to all of you for making the start of term such a smooth one. Working together -being ready ,respectful, safe! Please see the Millfields behaviour expectations on the school website. www.millfields.hackney.sch.uk

I hope you have a good weekend.

Best Wishes, Jane

We are at the end of a busy week at Millfields- it seems like we have been back for ages, and it's only the end of week 2! Thank you to the children, the staff and the parents for making the beginning of the new school year a smooth and successful one despite all the additional challenges! Today it was Outdoor Day at Millfields! All classes Y1 -Y6 enjoyed a lovely morning out at Hackney Marshes. They were playing cooperation games, trust games, time trials, den-building, nature art and lots more, as well as a PE lesson outside in the sunshine. Reception children got the chance to play in the new sandpit and climbing frame in the big playground, and they loved it!

Well done to all the Reception and Nursery children who have started to come in through the gates on their own now and skipping down to their classrooms.  There are still a few children finding the morning separation difficult but they will soon join their classmates - parents don't worry!  The children will get there in their own time! From Monday, please leave your child at the main gate and allow them to walk down to the reception playground themselves. Please talk to your children about this over the weekend to ensure they know the expectations.

Thank you to all the Y6, Y1 and Y2 parents who attended the 'Welcome Meetings' this week - I hope you found them useful.  The PowerPoint will be emailed to you for information and for those who could not attend.  If your child is in Y1-Y6, you will also  receive a Class Information Page that will give you an overview of the curriculum expectations and topics for this term, as well as other useful and important information for your child's class.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure we have the correct email contact details, and at least 2 in-service phone numbers -this is essential for safeguarding and emergency purposes. Please email info@millfields.hackney.sch.uk if you need to update your details.

Thanks also, for your cooperation and understanding while we ensure that the very popular club lists are established and tried and tested routines are put back in place. We will continue to review and keep you informed of any changes, and strive to find the best solutions. I am aware that there was a lot of disappointment about not getting the clubs that you wanted but we unfortunately have limited space on each day, although we have introduced additional new and exciting clubs this year that we hope your child might enjoy.

On Wednesday, Year 6 classes visited Kew Gardens as an initial stimulus for their learning on the Amazon and Year 2 classes enjoyed a workshop to spark their curiosity for learning about Africa in their Geography lessons

All classes will have a visit linked to their Geography learning each term. As many of you know, we have lots of other trips planned for throughout the year, so if you have not already, please complete the permission form within the Google Form on the link below to give permission for all London trips this academic year here:https://forms.gle/b83AKv6rYDza71D38

Y4 Yangtze class had a special treat on Thursday as they visited the local School of Food to take part in a new session called 'bee and biodiversity'. This session was led by a trained beekeeper, and the children got an insight into pollinator habitats and life cycles, how they make honey, and the role of a beekeeper. They also got to look inside the beehives and made a honey-based recipe to explore the journey from hive to honeypot!

A reminder that we have our, now annual, Dog show, 'Dog's Day Out' that will be taking place on Saturday 23rd September in the school playground.

Finally, a reminder that on Tuesday 17th September, we have professional photographers in school to take individual school photos.  On this day, please wear school uniform, and shoes even if it is PE, and bring PE clothes with you.

Each year there is a whole Year Group meeting, followed by a brief class teacher meeting for parents and carers who have children in Years 1-6. This is an opportunity to meet the teachers, look at the classrooms and to find out about what your children will be learning this year, as well as familiarising yourself with some of the class and school routines and expectations. The teachers will also let you know how and when it is best to contact them. You should get an idea of the school day for your child anhed there will be time for questions too!

All meetings will take place in the middle hall.  The meeting times are below:

Class Welcome Meetings 2024

Year 6: Monday 9th September at 3.45pm

( YUKON -Hollie, ORINOCO–Hizza, MISSISSIPPI–Leigh)

Year 1: Tuesday 10th September at 3.45pm

( KILIMANJARO –Dean,  KARISIMBI–Kimberlie,  OLYMPUS -Joy)

Year 2: Thursday 12th September at 3.45pm

( DOURO–Polly,  ZAMBEZI–Rosa,  NILE –Ashraf )

Year 3: Monday 16th September at 3.45pm

( ARARAT -Angela,  FUJI-Bruno,  ANNAPURNA- Hurvinder )

Year 4: Tuesday 17th September at 3.45pm

( GANGES–Orla, MEKONG –Jess,  YANGTZE–Theo )

Year 5: Thursday 19th September at 3.45pm

( SHENANDOAH–Tom,  ACATENANGO –Claire/Roz,  FITZ ROY-Naomi )

What a brilliant day the Millfields community had last Saturday! The Summer Fair was a huge success as always - and the weather was very kind, not too wet or too sunny! Just perfect! The PSA committee and other parent volunteers did an amazing job - it ran like clockwork. There were lots of great games and activi-ties, karaoke, the school choir singing, food and drink, arts and craft stalls, lots of pre-loved things to buy, tombola and the raffle and lots more. Thanks to everyone for coming along and joining in the fun and helping to raise a fantastic £10,003.62! This includes money raised through boards sponsorship and the silent auction that made more than £850.00. THANK YOU to each and every parent who volunteered before, during and after the event, and to those who donated raffle prizes, but a special thanks to all of the PSA committee, especially Heather, Alessandra, Melissa, Bettina, Sheena, Kate D, Kate G, Kate W, Kate S, Sereen, Chris,Alice and Reshma!! A great community effort!

On this note, it is tinged with sadness that I wanted to thank Heather for all her amazing, tireless work as the PSA Chair, as she steps down this year to hand over. I am sure that the whole community agrees that Heather has been tremendous in the post and a true supporter of the pupils, staff and the school as a whole -an inspiration. Thank you Heather.

Sports Fortnight continued this week, with more sports activities and LKS2 and KS1 Sports Days. The children again enjoyed a chance to try out a new sport including netball! And the ever popular morning aerobics continued until Thursday! Again - thank you to Ashraf for organising us all!

A special congratulations and well done to all of the 30 + riders who have taken part in the Cycling League events over the year. They won the league quite convincingly again, and we are so proud of them all! There were big shoes to follow with organising the team of riders from across Y4, Y5 and Y6, so thanks to Nishie and the parent volunteers for making this another amazing year!

So, just like that we are at the end of another busy, fun-filled, and immensely enjoyable year at Millfields,and I can only again, thank the whole school community - the children, the parents and families and the brilliant staff we have at Millfields, who have worked hard every day, who have all made it another fabulous chapter of learning. A huge ‘thank you’ to all the amazing parents and carers who have supported their children and the whole school community in so many ways. Highlights of the year for me have been many, but I will just mention a few - greeting all the lovely Nursery & Reception children every morning, Families Week including 'Bring Your Pet to School, Creative Evening, the Summer Fair, World Book Day dress up and books in a jar, the Y6 Show, all the trips and visits, The Hackney Run, all the sporting events that we have taken part in, and especially winning the Cycling League for the 9th successive year... the list goes on! And not forgetting a successful Ofsted Inspection as well!

The whole school went out to parks across London yesterday for our summer London Day. It was a lovely day with so many great adventures and activities for all the children - tree climbing, rounders games, nature art, making dens, and so much more! A lovely end to the year altogether. As well as being a celebratory time of the year - finishing primary school and moving on, this is also a sad time for the Y6 children and their families, and for me and many of the staff who have seen the current Y6 group develop into confident, inclusive, brilliant, thoughtful and all round amazing human beings - our change-makers for the future! As they get ready to move on to the next stage in their educational journey, we celebrate the brilliant individuals and collective year group who have been true ambassadors for the school in every way and on every forum.

From their very first day, at the start of their journey at Millfields, it has been a joy and privilege to get to know them! They have thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks (and Ihope the last 7 or 8 years!) at Millfields - the Y6 play, 'Going for Gold;' which was brilliant, Sports Day, the trips and other activities, and of course, the Y6 Party last Friday - there were so many emotions, but mostlythey had a great time. Thanks to the parents for putting on such a great event for them! Thank you to all the children and their families in Y6 - you have all been so supportive and we will miss you all! Good luck on the next stage of your journey and remember – continue to make sure your voice is heard and be the best thatyou can be! Be kind, be brave and be brilliant!

As this is the last Mag of the year, we are also saying a goodbye and a huge ‘thank you’ to some members of staff who are moving on/taking time out for new and exciting ventures or retiring. Good luck and best wishes to Mehmet, who is retiring after 20 years at Millfields; Cynthia who is also retiring after 2 stints over12 years at Millfields; and Emily, who is moving to a promotion in another school out of the borough. Good luck to them all in their new ventures, and please stay in touch!

We are also saying goodbye to 2 of our long-standing governors. Huge 'thank you' to Joe Walker and Gordon Murray who are both stepping down from their positions after more than 20 collective years of service and commitment to Millfields. I know you will join me in thanking all of them for all their work at Millfields and wishing them all the best and good luck for the future!

Good luck also, to all the children and families who are moving out of London to new houses and new schools in the UK and further afield over the summer – we will miss you all! T

hank you everyone, have a great summer break -hope the weather improves. I will see you on Wednesday 4th September. Take care and stay well! Jane