Welcome back to everyone! All the children are veryhappy to be back in school, they look well-rested and ready for the busy summer term!Yesterday, lots of staff attended Steve's funeral that took place in West London. It was a lovely celebration of his life: his family -parents, brothers, partner and son were so thankful and humbled that we all attended and were so moved by the lovely cards, comments and memories that we shared of Steve. The children and staff in school all remembered Steve too by holding a minute's silence that was impeccably observed.

We are all still very sad as a community and it will takesome time to really comprehend, and come to terms with what has happened and that Steve is no longer with us. We will, as we always do, support each other -children, staff and families, to get through this at allthe different stages that are to come. Thank you to everyone who contributed messages and donations to the charity of Steve's choice - we are still collecting if you would still like to make a contribution. There have been quite a few children upset again this week, which is only to be expected, and we are looking for ways to continue to support these children in the next few weeks. Please do let us know if you think your child might need any support with bereavement.

This week, teachers have been introducing the new learning for this term and there is a real buzz around the school about William Shakespeare! Each year-group is studying a different Shakespeare play or poem, and there has been a lot of great role play, brilliant orating, puppet making and fantastic character and setting descriptions. Some of the plays being read are Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night's Dream and The Winter's Tale. The children in Y1 know lots of facts about Shakespeare too. He was born in Stratford upon Avon, he died on 23rd April in 1616, his plays were on stage at The Globe Theatre and lots more. There have already been some brilliant acting and drama sessions around the classrooms , so the children are really immersing themselves in the world of Shakespeare. I am looking forward to reading some of the children's rewrites of the plays and scripts in the next few weeks!

A reminder that the deadline for the RE Calendar competition 2024-25 is Friday 26th April. This year's Religion and World views theme is on 'Unity'. This theme aims to celebrate diversity and unity within the Hackney community. ALL entries (originals only) should be on A4 Landscape.

Some of our Y4 cyclists had a great day out on Hackney Marshes taking part in the 'Big RideOut'. This was a fun event that was competitive but not part of the Cycling League competition. The children from all schools, went on a big ride all together round the marshes and then took part in a cycling orienteering game where each team were challenged to find various check-points as quickly as they could before returning with stamped cards. The Millfields Team did really well - they had fantastic teamwork skills and excellent investigation and cycling skills too. Well done to Arthur, Gabriel, Dougal, Cormac, Vincent, Theo, Joely, Anayah, Bettina, Tova B, Tova H and Maia!

Finally, a big 'well done' to Eri, Safi, Rosie and Ellie who went to Swansea during the break to represent Hackney District U11 girls’ at the football festival. They had an amazing weekend with the squad of girls from across Hackney primary schools and they did really well against teams from across the south. No medals this time, but they had a fantastic time!

I hope the weather starts to improve over the weekend. Have a good one. Take care. Jane

Please click here for the final Inspection Report, following our recent ungraded OFSTED Inspection which took place on the 7th and 8th February 2024.

We have had a very sad and subdued, and at times difficult week following the news of the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Steve. This news has come as a shock to our whole school community and we are all very, very sad to have lost one of the Millfields family. The love, support and compassion shown by all the staff and children, as well as parents, carers and the wider community has been remarkable.  As always , the Millfields community have come together as a family, united in their grief, while holding on to the memory of Steve –a kind, gentle, patient and dedicated colleague, caring and loving friend and such a very special person who will be greatly missed.

Steve's brother and partner visited this week and said they were 'truly bowled over by the sentiment shown towards Steve by all the staff' and said that the 'reaction from the children will be something that will stay with him for the rest of his life and something that Steve would have been so proud of'.  If the children would like to write, or make something for the Scrapbook for Steve's family, please take some time over Easter to do that and bring it to me on our return to school. We have started a book of condolences, so if you wish to write in there, please come to the office, and we also have a collection that will be donated to a charity/cause of his family's choice -collections on each gate and at the main reception.

We are all in the initial stages of grief but we know that this is going to be an ongoing process. We have already supported pupils, staff and parents, and will continue in the days, weeks and months to come, as appropriate. Thank you to all the parents who have shown their support through emails, cards, other messages and hugs. Thank you to the Educational Psychologists and other Officers from Hackney Education who have been brilliant in their support for the Millfields community.

Despite our collective sadness, classes continued with their routines and have thoroughly enjoyed STEAM -the 'World of Work' Week. We started the week with a special assembly. Nursery children learnt about different jobs including being a builder, a doctor, a shop-keeper, a postal worker and a police officer. They enjoyed dressing up and learning about what all the different people do in these jobs. Reception classes also learnt about jobs with nature -being a zoo-keeper, being a gardener, vet and farmer as well as enjoying a workshop visit from Nadia from Empathy Animals -the charity that we work with already in school. They also got to meet one of our empathy dogs, Peppi! Year 1 learnt about engineering jobs and took part in a workshop when they became an engineer today, and had a task to build a tower from different materials and decide which was best and why. Year 2 learnt about jobs in the emergency services, and enjoyed a visit from the local fire brigade with fire engine firefighters!

Year 3 got involved in the world of architecture and engineering and visited the national Architecture Association to learn more about these jobs. Year 4 enjoyed a visit from the Hackney Shed and learnt about being a scriptwriter, a performer, a lighting technician and set-designer. Year 5 learnt about ethical businesses and visited KPMG and Wilson Wright to learn more about how they operate. And finally Y6 spent the week in the 'Dragon's Den' world -designing and presenting a new product that they have created to staff at Here East (A dedicated campus for innovators, disruptors and visionaries!). Look out world for our future business successes!

It is always an amazing week for the children to think about what they might like to be in the future!  I am sure that your children will have been talking to you about the week, so please ask them lots of questions! Thank you to staff at Inspire and Lucy and Naomi who organised and managed the whole week seamlessly!

A massive 'THANK YOU' to everyone for dressing up today.  It was great to see staff and children dress as Superheroes or super powers to show support for Disability Awareness Day at Millfields!  Classes have had discussions and talked about differences and acceptance as part of Autism Awareness Week.  This is one of those days that makes Millfields so special!

Thank you also to our amazing Eco-Champs, led by Vicky, for the launch of the Eco Shop last Friday! It was very busy! They are learning lots about how to run a business and will be feeding back to me and the school community after Easter.

Happy Holi to those who celebrated on Monday. Best wishes to all those celebrating Passover and Easter. And Eid Mubarak to those celebrating Eid at the beginning of next month.

Finally, have a peaceful weekend and enjoy the break. Make sure you all cherish every moment with family and friends. Take care, Jane

It seems like a very busy and very long week, and I cannot believe that there is only one week left before the Easter break!

Firstly, thank you to all the many parents who met their child/ren's teacher during Parents Evenings this week. We hope you enjoyed the food on offer, and you were able to buy relevant phonics books, and buy an Easter Egg raffle ticket! Tickets for the raffle are still on sale -50p each or £2 for 5!  The winners will be drawn and announced via a text on Wednesday 27th March! The verbal and anecdotal feedback that we have received from families and teachers was very positive.

Please do note that there is lots of information on the school website, so please have a look! There is also a link to the Hackney Local Offer and also a Parents' Information Booklet with lots of FAQs. http://www.millfields.hackney.sch.uk/index.php?page=alias-10

Also, yesterday, one child from each class across the school also enjoyed a Hot Chocolate on the roof terrace with me as a treat for doing something in class or at home that the teacher considered to be 'over and above'!  We all enjoyed a chat, some delicious hot chocolate, popcorn and a mini chocolate egg! Well done to everyone!

Year 4 children have been very creative this week as they have been designing, making and evaluating biscuits as part of their DT work. The children had a very specific brief of who the biscuits were for, the conformity of the biscuit in size and quality, the taste and the packaging. Members of SLT really enjoyed visiting the classes to judge the creations. Well done Y4 children!

You know us at Millfields, the final week is another busy one!  It's STEAM Week - there will be lots of science, technology and design workshops and projects taking place on Monday - Thursday, as well as visitors to the school and trips out into the world of work!  You will receive an email with details of where your children are going to visit and on what day! Today the children completed a pre-STEAM Week questionnaire, and next week we launch STEAM Week with a special assembly. Please talk to your children about what they have been doing.

On the last day of term -Thursday 28th March, it is a non-uniform day so please start thinking about that Superheroes outfit as it is SuperHero Day, when we will celebrate all our super powers.  So please think about dressing up as your favourite superhero/power -homemade costumes encouraged, and help raise money for our Disability Awareness Day -all proceeds to the national Autistic Society.

Remember the last day of the Spring term is Thursday 28th March at the usual times -3.20pm/3.30pm. There are also after-school clubs as usual.

Have a lovely weekend! Take care, keep well, and stay safe.

Jane

On Monday, we wished our Muslim families Ramadan Mubarak, as they entered as they enter a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Only childrenin Y5 and Y6 whose parents have also given them written permission, are allowed to fast in school time.

Today, the school playground and corridors were filled with chatter and laughter as the whole school celebrated Comic Relief -Red Nose Day, as well as St Patrick's Day! The children and staff were dressed either in red, and some in green, and some in both, and there were lots of red noses on show! We have sold more than 500 rednoses, and have at least 3 golden noses at Millfields (these are apparently very rare) and also raised lots of money from on-the-gate donations. Thank you, as always, to the Millfields community - all the money will be going towards Comic Relief charities!

On Wednesday some of our children from Y3 and Y4, and 2 ARP children took part in a Hackney Sports Festival. They all played football, took part in relay races, coordination games, activity trails and lots more. They had a fantastic time and were so well behaved! Well done to Hugo, Theo, Yahya, Tolayo, Ahrianna, Gabriella, Bernie and Myles. Also, thank you to Izaac, Adele and June for going with them and encouraging them to have a go!

Yesterday some of our Cycling Team from Y5 and Y6 took part in the 6th Hackney Cycling League event at the Olympic Velodrome. The whole team did so well, and we came back with 4 gold medals and 2 silver, as well as lots of other high finish times, that means everyone contributed to the overall total points that keeps us at the top of the league! Well-done to all the children who took part and continue to make cycling so successful at Millfields. Thank you to Nishie and also to Kamari's mum, Chantelle, who helped out on the day!

Mekong Class visited the Hackney School of Food yesterday and made some delicious Spanish paella as part of their Geography work in school on Spain. Also around school, Y1 children dressed up as their favourite Nursery Rhyme characters yesterday - they all looked great and could tell me all about the  characters that they were dressed up as. It was also great to see Nile Class doing a yoga session yesterday to make them calm and focussed ready for the next lesson.

A big thank you to both Nursery Classes who had their Class Sharing Assemblies today. It issuch a big ask for our youngest children to stand up in front of family and friends and speakand sing so beautifully - they all did so well! Thanks to all the parents and carers who attended. Well done Lea and Thames!

Next week is Parents Evening on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March. If you have not yet signed up to see your child's teacher, please do so before 8:00pm on Monday 18th March via your SCOpay account. The actual meetings will be in person in your child's classroom or middle hall. During Parents' Evening, you will be able to buy some delicious food from the school kitchen, and also buy a raffle ticket (50p each - cash) for our annual Easter Egg Raffle!

Lots of parents have been asking, but we are still waiting for the final Ofsted Report to be published and will send this out to you as soon as it is available.

On another note, please make sure you get your empty containers ready for our 'Eco Fill Up Friday' launch next week - Friday 22nd March! Lots of products including washing up liquid, handwash, soaps, fabric wash and body wash! Look out for more information via email and text next week.

Finally, 'Happy Sikh New Year' for yesterday to all our Sikh families, and Happy St Patrick's Day on Sunday 17th March to all of the Millfields Irish community.

Have a lovely weekend, resting and relaxing. Take care, keep well and stay safe. Jane

It has been a​ wonderful Book Week full of all things reading! It has been great to hear the children talking about authors and characters in the books and comics that they enjoy reading!

​We had a great turnout for the Reading Breakfast for Nursery, reception, Y1 and Y2 parents and children. It was lovely to see so many children reading with their adult whale enjoying a late breakfast snack. We are hoping to arrange some more of these sessions next half term. Some of our classes have also visited  the local Pages Bookshop, and others will be visiting over the next few weeks.

Yesterday, we had a brilliant time celebrating World Book Day!  As ever, well done and 'thank you' to the Millfields' children (and parents of course!), and staff, who all made a massive effort dressing up.   All the costumes were amazing - ​especially the homemade ones! We also had the great Book Swap yesterday! This was a great way for your child to recycle books, for the children to browse a range of books and ultimately for every child to go home with a new book to read!

Also, thank you to the children and parents for the amazing ​'Stories in a Jar' - there was a huge array of​ fabulous and fantastic creations!  ​Thank you to PSA Lead, Heather, and Chair of Governors, Joe for being part of the judging panel! Look out for the names of the winners​ later in the Mag!  You all did yourselves proud!  The ​jars will all be on ​display a​t the upcoming Parents Evenings, so we hope you are able to see some of the wonderful creations ​then.

Also this week, lots of parents, and grandparents, have been visiting classrooms to read stories.  The children have thoroughly enjoyed hearing so many different adults reading to them and have asked for more of this!  Thank you so much to all of you who came in!  Look out for details of reading opportunities in your child's class on a more regular basis!

​Thank you to all the staff, parents and pupils for really entering into the spirit ​of this week and making the ​World Book Day ​and all the activities so enjoyable. ​ A ​nd a big​, big 'thank you' to Sheyenne for organising​ all of the activities and for having the inspiration, energy and enthusiasm for making it all happen.

Today, it ​is International Women's Day, and we celebrated ​lots of brilliant, talented and inspirational women that we know in our ​Y2 Sharing Assemblies.  We ​learnt about lots of famous scientists, pioneers and campaigners including Rosa Parks, Emeline Pankhurst, Malala Yousafzai, Florence Nightingale​.

Also today, our School Cabinet and other class representatives went to Snaresbrook Court to take part in an interactive workshop and participate in a mock-trial on the​ topic of cyber-bullying. They also ha​d the opportunity to meet a judge and ask​ questions​. The aim of ​the trip was to help pupils gain practical experience of the law and justice​ system at an age appropriate level.​ The children who visited had a great time and learnt loads! Thanks to Emma for organising.

​A reminder that Spring term Parents' Evening​s are on  - Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 2​0th March​. You will need to book your slot via SCOpay but the actual meetings are in person at school. You will have an opportunity to see some of your child's workbooks and talk to the teacher about their academic progress and attainment.  We are looking forward to seeing you​ then!.  After-school clubs will run as usual.  There will also be an opportunity for you to ​buy your dinner to eat here or take away (please bring a container if this is the case!), buy a ticket for the Easter Egg Raffle and meet some of the school governors.

​Thank you also to all the children and parents from KS1 who came to the PSA Film Night last night. It was an unusually quiet affair and the children really enjoyed watching the film, Luca, with their friends.Next Thursday 14th March is KS2 Film Night and the PSA will be showing Wonka! Please buy your tickets via the class

​Next Friday 1​5th March​ is Comic Relief -Red Nose Day, so ​it is a non-uniform day and we will be asking you to wear your own clothes -something red, and a red nose!  Red noses ​are on sale for £2 from ​all the gate​s and the main office​.

Have a great weekend - I think the weather is meant to be ​a bit warmer​, or at least sunny!. And for all the Mums and Grandmothers out there, (including those who may no longer be with us) 'Happy Mother's Day'.

Take care and stay well. Best Wishes, Jane

It has been another busy and very wet week at Millfields!!

Y3 Annapurna Class have continued with their daily swimming lessons that are part of the millfields curriculum. Daily, longer sessions over 10 days have a really positive impact on the children's confidence and swimming ability. Well done to all of Ararat and Annapurna children, and a reminder that Fuji children will be starting their swimming lessons next week.

We had our termly visit from the local authority this week. On Wednesday, Manjit Dulay visited Millfields and looked at different areas across the school and spoke to leaders and children. Manjt spent a few hours in Nursery and Reception, she looked at writing books from across the years, and spoke to the RE Lead about our curriculum that we are further developing. Thank you to all the children and staff for welcoming Manjt to Millfields!

This week has also been a very busy week for sports competitions. On Tuesday, the Y6 girls and boys football teams took part in the next round of the inter-schools competition, and both teams had a mixture of wins and draws (and one loss!). Well done to all the children involved. Thank you to Izaac and Steve for organising. Also on Tuesday, it was the boys & girls Cross Country meeting. Evie won 3 out of her four races, with Marley coming first and second out of her four. Whilst the boys didn't win any races, Axl was pushed up to 5th place, and Oliver and Ivaldino did really well with their overall placings -all good points for the league table. Well done everyone. Thank you to Dudley for organising and taking the children.

Then Friday 8th March is International Women's Day and as well as marking the day with the children, we will be talking about this in the context of books and strong female characters!

We also have Red Nose Day coming up on Friday 15th March, so we will be dressing in red and wearing red noses that day. There are red noses on sale from school -at the main gate each night, or from the school office, or also on sale at Amazon.