We have had a lovely few days during this short week with lots of hard work, learning and fun, and all much easier because we have had good, dry weather! This week, classes Y1-Y6 took part in assemblies celebrating Sir David Attenborough's 100th Birthday that is today -Friday 8th May. The children already knew lots and learnt more about his pioneering work on wildlife documentaries including 'Life on Earth', 'The Blue Planet', 'Frozen Planet' 'Wild London' and 'Secret Garden' and about his first programme called Zoo Quest; and the fact that he was also important in securing television programmes in colour instead of black and white. The children were so engaged and keen to share the documentaries that they had watched. We also watched this brilliant short video clip, 'Wonderful World' narrated by David Atenborough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYXBJmrsxZU

Also, the Environment Minister, PM and Deputy PM along with the Well-being Minister helped promote the day with Emma, and made a video to get everyone enthused about the day. We will share this on Google Classroom -they did a great job! Today, all classes have been celebrating Richard Attenborough's 100th birthday by taking part in a range of activities including nature spotting around Clapton Pond, making animal-themed snacks, having a Sir David Attenborough birthday party; having an outdoor picnic and nature drawing, Seahorse art (apparently is favourite animal), making nature documentaries about plants on iPads, researching favourite animal and present their facts, having picnic lunch in the park, animal origami and watching a nature documentary. The Eco Minister and some Eco Champs helped plan the day with Emma, and made a video to get everyone enthused about the day.

The children all looked very smart today too as they had their class photo taken outside in the sunshine! Thank you for making them all look so fabulous! Details of how to order photos will be with you before half term.

The Y6 children have worked very hard all year but especially in the last few weeks, doing practice SATS papers, as they have the real tests next week. We always invite all of Year 6 to come to the Breakfast Club free of charge every morning during the SATS week. We have found in the past that starting the day together with a good breakfast really helps to settle the children ready for their exams. So even if they normally have a great breakfast at home we would encourage you to send your children into the school Breakfast Club during that week so they can start their day with their friends -please send your Y6 child in from 7:45am onwards. I am extremely proud of the hard work and effort made by all the Y6 children this year - working so hard at school and home! I always reassure the children, by saying that we expect them to do their best, and as long as they have tried hard and know they have done their very best, then we will be proud of them no matter what the result. Please reinforce this with your child at home.

Today we were treated to 2 brilliant Class Sharing Assemblies! Thank you to Ganges Class and Mekong Class who shared all their learning from this term and some from last term! The costumes, enthusiasm, and sense of humour were second to none! The staff and children worked really hard, so thank you to them and for all the many parents who came to watch and support their children.

Nursery, Reception, Y1 and Y2 classes took part in an adventure drama workshop yesterday -they set sail for Neverland. The children had such a great time and were talking about it all day!

One of our favourite weeks at Millfields is coming up - it is 'Parents & Families Week'! The week before half-term, 18th-22nd May, we will be having our usual week of fun, inviting parents and carers to take part in lots of activities, coffee mornings, class and workshop visits etc, including the ever-popular 'Bring your Pet' to school, and the ‘Big Community Picnic' on Wednesday 20th! Look out for more details on all activities on the email that was sent out yesterday. You will need to sign up via  a Google Form. We are looking forward to welcoming you (and your pets) into school!

Thank you to Y1 and Y2 parents who came in today to read with their child/child's class - this happens every Friday, so please come along next time!

We are also looking for any sporty parents who could offer a session/s of any sport or activity as part of Sports Week (6th - 10th July) or, if you think you can help in any other way, please email Ashraf amohi@millfields.hackney.sch.uk

Finally, have a lovely weekend in the sun, hopefully! Take care, Jane

Finally another reminder about Sports Week ( 6th-10th July -volunteers wanted) and also look out for more information about Families Week (18th-22nd May). And a few more dates for your diary -please note that Friday 19th June is an INSET day; and this year’s Sumner Fair is on 4th July.

Take care, stay well and enjoy the long weekend. See you on Tuesday 5th May.

Best Wishes,

Jane

This week seems to have flown by and we have certainly been enjoying the lovely sunny weather!

Welcome back to everyone! All the children seem very happy to be back in school, they look well-rested and ready for the busy summer term! It has been a very calm and relatively quiet week (by Millfields standards!) and all the classes seem to be settled, and ready to learn!

This term is, unbelievably, the beginning of the last term of my time at Millfields -very sad, a bit scary, but also exciting! It's going to be an emotional one! I will continue to be here and work hard with the Millfields team to keep all the amazing things that your children experience at Millfields going, and also ensure to encourage embracing the change, and welcome the new members of the Millfields community! I have no doubt that the old saying, 'a change is as good as rest' is exactly what we all need to prepare for and take on together, supporting each other as always.

It was nice to welcome Robin and Anna in the playground today, and thank you to the parents and children who said 'hello' and made them feel welcome. They also met with the support staff today. So we will continue to work together for the rest of this term to ensure a smooth transition in September.

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 class play, 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!

This is a short half-term, so we are busy getting ready for some of our theme weeks coming up! Y5 have their residential trip to Kench Hill in Kent, and Y6 have their SATS tests, and there is the Hackney School Run on Saturday 16th July. Just before half-term, we have the ever popular 'Parents & Families Week', and we are organising lots of the usual activities, including an after-school Family Picnic for the whole school, and 'Come Dine With Us' event for Y3. Look out for more information and how to book in for the events in the next few weeks.

We are also looking towards Sports Fortnight that happens in July, and have already begun putting together a timetable of sporting activities. As always, if you have any skill in any fitness or sporting activity and have some time and plenty of enthusiasm, we would like to hear from you! Please email Ashraf at: amohi@millfields.hackney.sch.uk if you think you can help out in any way!

Finally a reminder to remove your bikes and scooters at the end of each day, and especially on a Friday ahead of the weekend. Also, please try to store your scooters and bikes in an orderly way! And a reminder that there is a weekly 'Ride Out -Bike Bus' before school every
Wednesday at 8:20am - see the poster in the Mag for the route.

Have a lovely weekend. Stay well and take care. Jane

I cannot believe that we are at the end of the Spring term already, and we have had another busy week at Millfields, not sure if there is ever a week that is not busy here!

It has been STEAM Week and all classes have thoroughly enjoyed the activities across the week. We started the week with a special assembly to introduce the theme for this year from the British Science Association: 'Curiosity: What’s your question?'. It aims to inspire our children to dive into their interests and find solutions to their most pressing STEAM inquiries. There was also a whole school investigation - 'Curious about bubbles'! Nursery and Reception classes looked at how many different ways they could make a bubble; Y1 and Y2 thought about what bubble shapes they could make; and Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 built on this to think about the best bubble they could make and what they might mean.

All classes also took part in the BBC Live Lesson where the children investigated light energy and learned about the moon and our solar system. There was also a lesson on 'Smashing Stereotypes' which consisted of a collection of stories from individuals and teams that we hope sparked a change in perceptions of people and careers in STEM. Children also had the opportunity to ask curious questions all week. Some classes also took part in a local nature trail to engage their curiosity in nature and their local surroundings. Year 5 and Year 6 also took part in a coding presentation and workshop at the beginning of the week. So the children have been fll of science chatter, please ask them about their learning this week as always. Huge 'thank you' to Naomi and Lucy for organising the week, and to all your children for their amazing curious and inquisitive minds!

Also this week, Y5 and Y6 have completed this term's TasteEd lessons -as always, the children love trying new foods and talking about the taste, sound, look and smell of different fruit and vegetables. Thanks to Bruno for organising!

A massive 'THANK YOU' to everyone for dressing up in your party clothes, bringing in lots of lovely food and joining in our celebration of Eid across the whole school. I hope that all our Muslim families enjoyed their Eid celebrations last week as they marked the end of Ramadan, and I know that all of the children have enjoyed their Eid parties in class today.

On the first day and week back we will be taking part in the NSPCC campaign: 'Speak Out, Stay Safe'. This may have some quite difficult and challenging content but it is really important to educate the children about staying safe and safeguarding themselves. If you want to talk with your child ahead of the assembly, then please have a look at the website here: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/services/speak-out-stay-safe Y6, Y5 and Y2 children will also take part in workshops with NSPCC staff during the week.

Finally, thank you for your continued support and patience regarding the change in leadership at Millfields -it has been a long journey to get to this place and I want to assure you that even though the Millfields family dynamics are changing, we will remain strong and steadfast in our core values going forward -next term, and beyond, and work with the Blossom staff to continue to do our very best for each and every child.

I hope that you all have a restful break with family and friends, and hope for some sunshine! And remember the clocks go forward this weekend, so more light evenings ahead.

Take care and stay well. 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, 'Eid Mubarak' to all our Muslim families. I hope you have all had a lovely day celebrating with family and friends.

Today, the school playground and corridors were filled with chatter and laughter as the whole school celebrated Comic Relief - Red Nose Day! The children and staff were dressed in red, and there were lots of btrilliant;y designed red noses on show! We

have sold more than 650 red noses, and raised more than £300 from on-the-gate donations. Thank you, as always, to the Millfields community - all the money will be going towards Comic Relief charities! The children have all been hearing about the origins of Comic Relief in assemblies this week, and also learned about the many charities that the money raised supports.

Yesterday some of our Cycling Team from Y5 and Y6 took part in the 6th Hackney Cycling League -speed trials on Hackney Downs. The whole team did so well, and all of them clocked high finish times across the 3 races they took part in- a couple of first, second and third places. It 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 who always supports the children so well.

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

Firstly another BIG thank you for all the amazing cakes that you made for the Great Millfields World Book Day Bake-off! And for helping us sell them after school. We are getting feedback from the children about the books they would like to see in the school library. And the children who took part all received a certificate in assembly and winners all received a £5 book voucher! Well done everyone!

This week has really flown by, and the children have been so busy, as always with their learning in school and out and about in the local area.