This week has flown by, and as always lots has been happening at Millfields!

Wow, it has been a very busy week as children and staff gathered all the amazing artwork produced during Creative Week before half term, and we were amazed by Jess's vision to create the fantastic Art Exhibition that we welcomed children and their families to on Wednesday evening. This year's 'Creative Week' theme was 'Look Around'. All of the children did a local walk in our Clapton community, and each year group focussed on recreating all of the things we noticed and observed in the local area. Every child made their own sketchbook, and also created something that contributed to the whole exhibition.

Children from ARP and Snowden Room visited Clapton Pond to look for fish; Nursery and Reception children created buildings; Y1 looked at insects and their homes, Y2 looked at birds; Y3 studied water, Y4 looked at plants, trees and flowers, Y5 looked at transport and Y6 observed people. The artwork was varied in so many ways and truly represented all that is in our local community.

Every child in the school produced something for the art display, so it was a truly inclusive event. Both parent and pupil feedback was very positive. A massive well done and thank you to all the staff and of course to the very talented children, and to Jess for having the vision and idea to make it happen in the first place! Also, the kitchen team produced some delicious food that was on sale and was enjoyed by many parents and chil-dren – thank you. The whole evening was a lovely community event and is always one of my favourite nights of the year!

It was lovely to welcome everyone back after half term, and to see all the children looking rested and ready for this half term's learning!  A huge THANK YOU to all the children and parents for your support while we use only two entrances and only one playground! It has run relatively smoothly and the main thing is that all the children have been kept safe during this time. We are really hoping that the scaffolding removal on the back playground will be on schedule, meaning that we will be back to the usual gates and a much bigger playground from Monday 10th March.

This week, the majority of Y5 children have been on a 2 night residential trip to Kench Hill, a beautiful old mansion house and grounds in Kent. The weather was mixed, and a bit of rain and mud, but that didn't stop the excitement, enthusiasm and enjoyment.  Both groups enjoyed lots of outdoor activities including orienteering, animal adaptations session, orienteering, climbing, team building games and time to explore the grounds - play football, basketball, play on the play equipment, feed the ponies and spot rabbits and chickens.

The highlight was a visit to the beautiful Leeds Castle, where they walked around the grounds, saw lots of wildlife, water and waterfall, then had a tour of the castle, and had a fantastic time in the maze and caverns, as well as the fort adventure playground and zipwire! The children had a great time and were engaged and interested to explore new environments and learn new things. Well done to all the children. Going away with the children on any trip is one of my favourite things to do, and I loved being with Y5 on this residential trip.  A huge 'thank you' to the staff at Kench Hill, and also to our staff -Sheyenne, Emma, Claire, Debi, Isabelle, Tom and Dudley.

The Y5 back in school also had lots to do this week! They had lots of Art and PE sessions, had a bowling trip on Wednesday, and they also enjoyed playing a range of board and card games, before designing and making their own! There were some great efforts and will be in classes to be played during wet play and free time for the rest of term.

Today, we were also treated to 2 brilliant sharing assemblies -the children in both classes, Kilimanjiro and Douro were brilliant. They had all learned their lines, and delivered them well, worked together, supported each other and entertained and educated the parents and carers who came. Well done to them all, and thank you to all the parents who came in. Thank you also to the parents who came in to read in class in Y1 and Y2 today -this happens every Friday, so please try to pop in at 8:50am next week!

Reception children visited Woodberry Wetlands this week as part of their topic work and took part in pond-dipping and minibeasts exploration.  The children had a great time, even though it was very wet for Shannon Class, and they found lots of interesting minibeasts.  Y6 classes also visited Bruce Castle Museum for a workshop about life in Victorian times. This was very useful and has supported in class learning too.

A BIG well done to all the Y5 and Y6 cyclists who braved the cold yesterday to take part in the Mountain Bike racing at Mabley Green.  This was the 5th cycle event of the season and the children did so well despite the conditions and the points collected kept Millfields at the top of the league!  Thanks to Nishie for organising the riders and to Peter for his help.

A reminder, that it is BOOK WEEK next week, and  World Book Day is on Thursday 6th March - save the date in your diary.  World Book Day 2025 will celebrate that children are more likely to enjoy reading when their choices are championed and we make reading fun.  As well as dressing up as a character from your favourite book, (please do not go out and spend money on new costumes - re-use and upcycle!) we are asking you to design and make a 'A book on a String.  Prizes will be going to children from each Key Stage with the best story!  Please see the email that went out earlier this week and again today about all the book activities happening -reading breakfasts for Y3, Y4 and Y5, as well as classes visiting Pages Book Shop, and parents reading to their child's class.

Also, Creative Evening 2025 is finally here! It is taking place on Wednesday 5th March from 4pm-7pm. Tickets for the exhibition cost £2 which is payable at the door. (Adults ONLY need tickets, children are FREE)) Please sign up for a slot to come and view the exhibition via the links on the email sent yesterday. There is also food available to buy on the night. Tickets are selling fast!

Finally, please make sure that we have 2 or more contact numbers for your child - this is a safeguarding issue.  Please email info@millfields.hackney.sch.uk with any additional numbers/contacts or number updates. Have a good weekend –wrap up warm as it is turning colder again!

Ramadan Mubarak to all our Muslim children and families!  May this holy month bring you peace, joy, and blessings. Please see the email about fasting if your child is in Y5 or Y6.

Take care and stay well.  Best Wishes, Jane

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