Our KS1 pupils went on a trip to our local Tesco superstore at Consett. The children took part in the ‘sustainability trail’ while they were there. They learnt about where bananas come from, cocoa beans and also different types of fish.

They had a great time exploring the store and also getting to try different foods.

Class 4 have worked with Mrs Chesters to decorate cakes to help us raise money for school fund. The children really enjoyed decorating the cakes and being the real life ‘shopkeeper’ when other children came to buy the cakes.

We made a fantastic total of £43.85. Thank you to everyone who bought cakes!

Thursday 8th June saw Class Two go on a trip to Burnhill Nature Reserve. Despite the rain and the wind, Class Two’s spirits were not dampened and we had a fantastic time, designing and creating living willow people and pond dipping. We learnt about the history of Burnhill and its development since the discovery of the rare Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterly. Unfortunately we were too early to see any of the butterfly, but we did find nine adult newts, several waterboatmen and an abundance of toad tadpoles.

Over five weeks in summer term, Mrs Chesters has been working with Class Two, Tesco, and the Vegetarian society, to develop Class Two’s cooking skills. We have looked at how to create tasty, healthy snacks and meals, including a vegetarian lunch box, pizza, soups, yoghurt pots and popcorn! We have had a wonderful time developing our knowledge and skills in the kitchen and tasting our home-made creations.

As part of Save the Children’s initiative to raise awareness of their work with homeless children, Tow Law Millennium’s KS2 pupils joined in with their Den Building Day. The children had a great time, working together in teams, coming up with creative and innovative solutions to build dens in ‘The Secret Garden’. Although everyone had lots of fun, afterwards they were able to empathise with children for whom a “den” like theirs might be their only form of shelter.

At Tow Law Millennium Primary School we pride ourselves in working together with the community. We are an integral part of the town and as such strive towards providing a high quality learning environment for all our children. In February 2012, we opened a 16 place nursery in our existing Reception classroom and soon realised that we could better use the internal space at the back of the school.

We have worked with a contractor and the Local Authority during the last 12 months to remodel our space and are very happy to say that all work was completed to a very high standard during the Easter holidays this year. On Wednesday 24th May, Councillor Richard Manchester officially opened our Early Years classroom which offers a high quality provision in a respectful and caring environment. We recognise and celebrate that all children are individual and as such develop at different rates, have different interests and come from varied cultural backgrounds. We strive to ensure our provision reflects and supports all children both indoors and outdoors. The event was very well attended.

We have always had a good relationship with the two local child-minder’s but this year have taken this to a new level. We looked at the facilities in and around Tow Law and recognised that these are limited especially when you look at SAFE areas for our very youngest residents to play. We approached Annmarie Hurton and Heather Gwynette and have come up with a plan. During the school holidays we are opening the school to allow these ladies to bring their children to TLMPS, access our early years and strengthen our already effective working partnership.

Between us we are ready to cater for 30 hours a week quality provision, working flexibly to meet the needs of the parents and children. We are proud to show visitors around our facilities and look forward to continuing to evolve together to meet the needs of our community.