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 (s.thomas@novahreodacademy.org.uk) 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:s.thomas@novahreodacademy.org.uk

‘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/