The beginning of the year always holds such excitement and promise. It’s been a delight to see our schools abuzz once again with new and returning students.
We strive to create in our school an inviting environment, in which values are balanced against academic rigour, and where learners are encouraged to realise their potential and to respect their own unique worth as well as that of others.
A time for reflection
As we start this new year – the first of the decade – I am reminded of an extract from a poem I hold fondly close to my heart and it reads:
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the fridge door, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favourite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned that we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
Extracts from Memo from Your Child ~Author Unknown~
These words serve as a powerful reminder, for us as adults, about how we unconsciously role model values and beliefs for our children. Many of the lines of this poem could be easily replaced with teacher-child scenarios…
…..Teacher, when you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give half of your sandwich to Jessica who had forgotten her lunch at home and I learned that I should share more.
Teacher, when you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give Jakes as many chances as he needed to get the answer right and I learned that we should never be afraid of making mistakes….
Nova Pioneer is about more than just academics
I believe that parents and teachers play a critical role in inculcating these values and beliefs – the cornerstones of building character.
Building character is just one of the ways in which we develop Novaneers who will grow up to shape the world and not just work in it.
The character of a Novaneer is defined by six mindsets/behaviours that we call our Culture Principles. They challenge us to set high expectations, grow from every challenge, and seek to serve.
Too many schools are places where year after year, students learn that they “can’t”. I’m not an artist, I’m not a singer, I can’t do science. Or that I dare not risk trying.
Nova Pioneer however, is the place that year after year, week after week, day after day, students have the opportunity to learn and discover that they ‘can’. That they are fundamentally capable to learn and grow; and to take on the world as optimistic and self-assured innovators and leaders.
We are delighted to have Novaneers back in the classrooms – it was very quiet without them during school holidays!
