A letter to Y6

Dear Year 6

I’d just like to thank you for all your hard work throughout the year.

I wanted to remind you that while we want you to do as well as you can in the SATs, they are not the only way you are judged as a person; there is so much more to you than reading, grammar & maths.

Since coming back to school from the lockdowns, you have helped Woodlands feel like a community once again. You came back with such positives attitudes & were outstanding role models for the rest of the children in school. You still are.

Your contribution to Woodlands has been outstanding. There are so many ways you have made a difference this year: Sports Leaders, House Captains, School Councillors, Playground Pals, Eco Warriors, Tech Crew, representing Woodlands in various sports. You have set up your own lunchtime extra-curricular activities for younger children: Art Club, Christmas Club, Cheer Club, Football Club & Times Tables Club. Without you, Woodlands would not have been quite as wonderful as it has been this past year.

The SATs don’t even measure how well you can do in other ‘educational’ subjects: the brilliance of some of you when it comes to playing a musical instrument; the phenomenal skill & understanding you show when using information technology; the grace & power you show through your dancing; the way you have practised your close control so that the football looks as though it’s glued to your boots; the ability to speak a second language fluently; the exquisite paintings, sketching & drawing you produce in art (or the back of your jotter); the hours you have spent perfecting your handspring in gymnastics.

I wish there was a SAT in working well with others or maybe one that judged how honest you are. It would be great if your ability to look after your friends when they’re having a tough time was given a mark and then sent off to the Department for Education. There should be a SAT that tells people just how well you keep going when things are difficult or one that shows how well you stand up for what you believe in.

Maybe they should have a SAT that measures your ability to tell really good jokes to make people laugh. Maybe they should have a SAT that measures your ability to tell really bad jokes to make people laugh.

SATs in reading, grammar & maths just measure a tiny bit of what makes you who you are.

The SATs don’t even measure in a whole range of important things:

creativity   self-control   wisdom   motivation   intuition   affection   peacefulness   loyalty   perspective   rhythm   faithfulness   honesty   determination   kindness   courage   patience   perseverance   spirituality   gentleness   joy   thoroughness   generosity   helpfulness   flexibility   discernment   love    character   friendliness   compassion   sensitivity   confidence   resilience

The list could go on & on & on … on & on & on … on & on & on … on & on & on … on & on & on … on & on & on … on & on & on …

Of course, we want you to do as well as you can do in your SATs – you deserve to do well. However, we are proud of you because of who you are as a person, not just because you get good marks in tests.

Don’t forget to join us each morning next week from 08:30 in the junior hall for pre-SATs toast!

Thank you all again for your hard work this year,

KD Williams

R Pickford

B Rimmer

C Hughes

S Taylor

& all the Woodlands Staff