Nova Weekly News
Issue 15
Friday 2nd February 2018
Message from the Principal
I would like to thank all students, parents and carers that attended the highly informative Curriculum Pathways evening
last Thursday which was led by Mr Thomas and the Faculty teams.
Ready for September 2018, we have broadened our KS4 options choices by allowing students to choose a fourth option
choice, one more than in previous years as shown in the table below.
Students are allowed a free choice from each column provided they choose at least one subject from History, Geography,
French, Spanish, Triple Science or Computer Science.
Completed forms need to be with Mr Thomas by Friday 9th February 2018. If there are any questions, problems or
concerns, please contact Mr Thomas directly by email ([email protected]) in the first instance and
we will do our best to quickly rectify any problems.
Darren Barton
Principal
National Cipher Challenge
Joining a new school and settling into the Nova community was
not the only new experience for a group of Year 7 students last
term. New friendships were formed when five students were
keen to learn new skills for the University of Southampton's
National Cipher Challenge 2017 - The Mystery of the Lost
Legion.
Team leaders Aayushi (7N5) and Saranna (7N4) showed
dedication to their groups by deciphering large messages using
methods by hand and computer programmes to help them read
messages and solve problems sent between fictional characters.
With Saranna reaching challenge six and Aayushi completing
all eight challenges, both teams achieved between 98%-100%
in the majority of the University's weekly cipher challenges. The
teams are waiting and curious to see what skills they can
develop in next year's challenge.
mailto:[email protected]
‘When opportunity knocks – answer the door’
Schools motivational speaker Cameron Parker held an
inspirational assembly and workshop with our Year 9
students to raise their aspirations and improve their self-
esteem. The event was sponsored by Study Higher – a
collaborative network of higher education (HE) providers
who work together to deliver outreach activities to young
people to inform them about their future educational
opportunities.
Cameron engaged his audience by sharing his
experiences of secondary school and how against the
odds, he got his life on track and graduated from
university.
Students were encouraged to live life with no “What
If...” e.g. What if I’d studied more? What if I’d worked
harder? He spoke to students about the national
average weekly working hours and how salaries differ significantly from office
administrators to FTSE CEO’s! Students were encouraged to compare what they
thought were realistic and unrealistic dreams and they were shown that possibilities
are boundless.
Cameron shared his guaranteed formula for success –
1. Write a list of things that needs to be done that day …
2. Do them!
During a small workshop after the seminar, students were able to discuss their fears
before considering a selection of questions. From their answers they were asked to
think about where they would be in ten years’ time. The process was then repeated
for a five year period with students considering what they would need to do to make
their dreams achievable.
It was interesting and it kept my attention all the way through. It made me
think about my future.
It was fun. It motivated me to think about my future and to do things I
would not normally do.
Cameron stood out. He was funny and not worried
to speak out about his life.
It has made me think a b o u t m y f u t u r e
differently.
I have never heard anything like this before. As a year 9 student I loved the fact that he is guiding us in the right pathway and for us not to make a mistake like not choosing
to get my GCSEs.
“What a morning inspiring Year 9 at Nova Hreod! Huge thank you for today; I loved
my time at your school; the school, staff and students are incredible.”
Cameron Parker
Extra Curricular
T h i s t e r m ’ s e n r i c h m e n t
programme includes Handball on
Thursdays after school.
Try something new!
Try Handball
Have fun, get fit!
The full programme of activities
for this term is available in the
“For Students” section of the
website, but here’s a taster of
some of the activities available.
T h e r e a r e n o e n t r y
requirements—just come along
and join in.
http://www.novahreodacademy.org.uk/For-students/Enrichment-Sports-Fixtures/Enrichment
February
Tuesday 6th GCSE English Masterclass—Tissue
Thursday 8th School Musical—SISTER ACT
12th-16th Half term
Tuesday 20th Parent Focus Meeting
March
Thursday 1st Year 10 Parents’ Evening
A full calendar of events and more information can be found at
www.novahreodacademy.org.uk
WELL DONE to Jay (10N1), Marshall (10N2), Luke (7N1),
James (7N1), and Kane (7N2) who qualified for the
Wiltshire Schools Cross Country Championship and
represented Nova Hreod Academy at Sheldon School,
Chippenham on Sunday 20th January.
Wiltshire Schools Cross Country Dates for your diary
http://www.novahreodacademy.org.uk/