What a week year 6 have had! Year 6 children all over the country have faced the dreaded SATs this week, testing their learning in Reading, Maths, and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar, and we, as the year 6 Willows Team, have been blown away by the maturity, confidence, resilience and effort shown by all 41 children. Clearly, food is the way to the hearts of our young people with sausage baps, a plentiful supply of biscuits, cupcakes and doughnuts keeping spirits lifted and energy high. We had a lovely card and some sweet treats from Mrs Millard, and hearing the supportive messages really helped to keep a positive mood. The tests can feel like reaching the finishing line at the end of a marathon or the final of the World Cup, but smiles remained, laughter was found and plenty of social time made for a week when we chose to not just survive, but thrive. To balance the formal silence and risk of stressful pressure, year 6 have loved this week:

• Kick rounders (apologies to the local neighbours who may have been surprised to final a ball which rocketed its way over the fence - amazing it didn't make it all the way to the moon!)
• Bingo (legs 11...two little ducks 22...)
• Swimming
• Revision sessions including team challenges (note to self: buy more raffle tickets!), Shannon's Game (like Hangman but you have to guess letter by letter) and mind reaching games
• Banksy-style graffiti art to send messages of celebration that SATs are all done
• Team games like passing a circle of people through a hula hoop and a jumping sequence where you have to keep up with the people around you
• Crochet, mindful colouring, board games and social time
• A shared picnic lunch outside on Friday
• Biscuits...biscuits...biscuits...biscuit...

So, Year 6, from all the staff at The Willows: we could not be prouder of the way you approached this week. Yes, the tests reflect the progress you have made and all that you are capable of, but what mattered most to us was the determination, humour, kindness and resilience you showed each day along the way.

You supported one another, kept going when things felt tough and represented our school brilliantly. We hope you leave this week remembering not just the tests themselves, but the confidence, maturity and character you showed throughout them. Well done, Year 6 — every single one of you!