The traditional school system is quite good at many things. But rarely do students receive formal affirmation for anything other than high test results or an outstanding project. Perhaps that is why a letter sent to students at a British primary school went viral last week.

After a hard week of tests, the school's principle wrote a letter to their students. The BBC reports: "It tells pupils the school is 'proud' of them as they have demonstrated a 'huge amount of commitment and tried your best during a tricky week.' But it adds that 'these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique.' The people who drew up the tests, it says, 'do not know each of you ... the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do.' These people do not know 'you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your very best,' it continues. The letter finishes by telling pupils to 'enjoy your results' but to remember that 'there are many ways of being smart.'"

Possible Preaching Angle:

There is power in honest encouragement and affirmation.