Some schools have been eager to remind pupils that there is a lot more to a person than their grades with an inspirational letter that has been moving parents to tears. The letters have been sent by numerous schools in the country to Year 6 pupils ahead of the latest round of examinations.

The positive message is very similar and in some cases identical but each school has said they agree with the sentiment exactly.

Pupils are reminded that they are ‘special and unique’ and that examiners don’t know them like their teachers or parents do.

Silverdale Primary Academy first sent letters like this two years ago. The Independent claimed in an article two years ago that the idea originated in the United States and has since been adapted.

But Liz Miles, the head teacher of Silverdale, said it is not something that schools have discussed.

She said: ‘It is something that is very reflective of how our school feels about the children.

‘We love our children and we want to do the best they can.’

She added: ‘We have a huge culture of positivity at Silverdale and we really believe that positivity is infectious.

One parent wrote on Facebook that she was saving the letter so she ‘could tell her daughter when she has tests next year’.

The letter:

Dear Year 6 Pupils,

Next week you will sit your SATs tests for maths, reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation. We know how hard you have worked, but there is something very important you must know.

The SATs test does not assess all of what makes each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you the way that we do and certainly not in the way your families do.

They do not know that some of you speak two languages or that you love to sing or draw. They have not seen your natural talent for dancing or playing a musical instrument. They do not know that your friends can count on you to be there for them, that your laughter can brighten the darkest day or that your face turns red when you feel shy. They do not know that you participate in sports, wonder about the future, or sometimes help your little brother or sister after school. They do not know that you are kind, trustworthy and thoughtful and that every day you try to be your very best.

The levels you will get from this test will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart. You are smart! So while you are preparing for the test andin the midst of it all, remember that there is no way to ‘test’ all of the amazing and awesome things that make you, YOU!

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Aristotle

Sleep, Rest, Believe and Sparkle!

Good Luck.’

Do you wish you received this letter at school?

Yes, it’s exactly what each pupil should hear.

source: metro.co.uk

Can you match the words and their synonyms?

Key:

1. f.

2. a.

3. e.

4. i.

5. j.

6. b.

7. d.

8. c.

9.  h.

10. g.

Here are seven last-minute tips that can help you finish your prep strong and perform at your peak:

1. Do not underestimate the power of proper rest

This piece of advice is listed first because it is one of the most important and most frequently overlooked strategies. Our brains are at their best when they are rested. If you sit for an exam while exhausted, you will have a much harder time recalling the information you need to earn a high score. Tests (especially at college) are designed to assess knowledge and skills that you accumulate over months of study, so frantically reviewing your notes the week before the exam will not help you. You can study an hour or so a day to keep yourself focused and on-topic, but avoid working late into the evening.

2. Rest your hands

The majority of the tests are not yet computer-delivered, and this means that you will be doing quite a bit of writing by hand. It may seem strange to think about, but tired hands are one factor that can affect your performance. However, there are ways to minimize the likelihood of aching fingers. On the day of your exam, bring a stress ball or other stress relief toy that will help your hands relax from their pencil-clutch posture. You can even bring a small tube of moisturizer or Tiger Balm to rub into your fingers.

3. Use your downtime wisely

Part of entering an exam week rested and relaxed is feeling mentally refreshed. Make time, too, for an activity that is fun and relaxing. Go for a walk, play a favourite video game, or invite your friends over. The specifics of what you do matter less than ensuring that you do not spend the week before your exams tense and anxious.

4. Review class content, but do so selectively

As mentioned above, avoid entirely abandoning your test prep. Taking a high-stakes exam “cold” is guaranteed to leave you stressed come test day. Instead of broadly reviewing, however, study several points that are essential to earning your intended score.

5. Practice your editing

As you study for your exams, include a bit of practice with editing essays. Before you take your first exam, locate several essays that you have written for class and edit them for clarity. On test day, you will not have time for extensive rewrites of your free response answers, so it is well worth knowing where to focus your energies. Include this practice in your daily study hour. While you cannot add much information to your store of knowledge at this point, you can improve your test-taking process.

6. Rest between back-to-back exams

Many students who take tests report feeling worn out after just one – let alone back-to-back exams! Unfortunately, because the exam schedules are usually fixed, you may face this very situation. If you must complete back-to-back tests, plan ahead to ensure that you will have some quality rest time between exams. For example, bring music to listen to, and eat a healthy meal (one including complex carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables to nourish your brain).

7. Schedule recovery time

If you have multiple tests on multiple days, do your best to clear your schedule in the evenings. You will need to relax and sleep in order for your brain to recharge, and a busy night can interfere with this process. Do indulge in light exercise (you will be amazed at how effectively it can reset your mind) or a favourite activity. Continue to eat well, and – as has been mentioned many times – get your rest! You will be well on your way to success if you do.