Letter Written By Australian Primary School To Nervous Pupils Goes Viral For All The Right Reasons

A letter written by an Australian primary school has been described worldwide as ‘brilliant’ and ‘lovely’ after it told students not to worry about their upcoming exam.

The letter, sent out to the school’s year three students, included a very heartfelt message that stated that ‘this test does not assess’ and instead reassured the pupils that they are ‘exceptional and unique’ just as they are.

Students from St Paul’s Primary School in Gracemere, Queensland, were about to sit their first NAPLAN exams (the Aussie version of SATs) and were sent home with the thoughtful letter to help put their minds at ease.

It explains to the eight and nine year olds that ‘The people who score these tests don’t know that some of you love to sing, are good at drawing or can teach others how to use a computer program,’ outlined that attributes like these can’t be tested – hence why they have to sit the tests.

One parent, Paul Lawrie, posted the letter on Facebook last week after finding in inspiring. “Well done to St Paul’s for sending this home with the kids,” he captioned the image.

It’s now been shared almost 30,000 times with other parents describing it as ‘lovely’ and ‘thoughtful’ and there’s been a similar response on Twitter, with one user commenting that it brought a tear to her eye as a parent – in a good way.

Here’s the letter in full…

To our dearest students from Year 3,

Next week you will sit your first Naplan test. Before you take this test there is something very important for you to know.

This test does not assess all of what makes each of you exceptional and unique.

The people that score these tests don't know that some of you love to sing, are good at drawing or can teach others how to use a computer program. They have not seen the way that some of you can dance with grace or speak confidently to a large group. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them when they are sad. They do not know that you participate in sports, help your mum and dad or that play with your little brother, sister or cousins. They do not know that you are caring, thoughtful and that everyday you do your best. Because these attributes cannot be tested.

The scores you get from this test will tell you how you did on that day, but they will not tell you everything.

They can't tell you that you have improved on something that you once found difficult. They can't tell you that you brighten up your teacher's day. They can't tell you how amazingly special you are.

So come to school ready to do your best for the Naplan test and remember there is no one way to 'test' all of the wonderful things that make you, YOU!

Kind regards,
Mrs Egan, Mrs Schluter and Miss Bailey

Do you think children have to sit exams too young? Let us know in the comments.

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