Nova Weekly News Issue 27 Friday 23rd June 2017 Message from the Principal

Yesterday afternoon saw the final GCSE examination of the season take place and we would like to thank all of our Year 11 students for their outstanding conduct throughout the examination season. Although the GCSE exams are done, our wonderful Year 11 students are not forgotten and we very much look forward to seeing them for the Thorpe Park Trip on 27th June, Leavers’ Assembly on 29th June and the Prom on the evening of 7th July.

GCSE results will be released on Thursday 24th August and staff will be on hand to celebrate with Year 11 and offer support and guidance. Looking a little further over the horizon, we are looking forward to welcoming them back to Nova Hreod for GCSE Certificate Presentation Evening which we are pleased to announce will take place on the evening of Thursday 16th November 2017. This is always a very special evening and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the students.

With one cohort of students leaving, it was a pleasure to welcome the parents and carers of the new students who will be joining us in September, when they came into school last Thursday for transition evening. We have 170 new students joining us in September from primary schools all across the town, and we are very much looking forward to building warm and strong relationships with all our new parents over the coming months. If any future parent or carer has any queries with regards to transition to Year 7, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Griffin on 01793 528800 or email ([email protected]) and he will get back to you very quickly.

Darren Barton Principal

Swindon Schools Dance Platform

Last Thursday, a group of students performed at New College in the Schools Dance Platform. They performed a group number which was a journey through time featuring songs from Jailhouse Rock to Can't Stop The Feeling. Our school's performance slot also featured a solo choreographed and performed by Freya Lane in Year 8. The performance was the first for our new dance company "DNA" which is made up of Key Stage 3 students and they did themselves proud. The group will also be performing in Kent for the Performing Arts Festival at the end of the month. We are also very proud to announce that the award for Best Solo Choreography at the Swindon School's Dance Platform went to Nova Hreod student, Freya Lane for her fantastic solo, 'Clay'. Freya is the youngest winner to receive this award since the platform began. Well done Freya! Bath Spa University visit Fifty Year 10 students were given the opportunity to attend a raising aspirations to higher education visit to Bath Spa University. During their visit they were given a tour of the campus; had the chance to interview current university students; and were informed about all aspects of university life, including entry requirements and costs. Students also participated in interactive activities which included course pictionary and tower building, but the highlight of the day was the Gamelan Music Workshop. After a quick introduction to the instruments, the course tutor had 25 students at a time using their percussive instruments to create the traditional Indonesian music. The day was completed with a higher education quiz. The event was aimed to raise participation and increase students’ awareness of university.

“I found the ambassadors Claire, Joanna, Daisy, Katie, Cerys, Lillian and Grace very helpful. I had fun on the tour and the scenery is beautiful. I would love to go on more of these trips and I found it enlightening. I may now consider going to university. I am very grateful I was taken on this trip and that Bath Spa invited us. I had a fab day, thank you for taking us Mrs Fawcett.”

“Bath Spa University was a lovely place to visit; I really loved the campus” “I learned more about the courses I would like to take and I really like the location and the university. The students helped lots and answered all of my questions.” Netball champions

Skinners from London came to Swindon last week for day of school sports and Nova Hreod Academy organised a netball tournament with them and .

The Year 9 results were... 1st Nova Hreod Academy 2nd Lydiard Park Academy 3rd Skinners Academy

The Year 10 results were... 1st Skinners Academy 2nd Lydiard Park Academy 3rd Nova Hreod Academy

Careers information & guidance

We were grateful to staff from Swindon based Wall2Wall Decorating Ltd who met with some of our Year 11 leavers this week to discuss the potential of them applying for a painting and decorating apprenticeship. This is a growing industry that will offer job security for the future. Students were given an insight into the industry and to the diverse range of jobs available such as sign painting, refurbishing stately homes or even as a ship painter. The apprenticeship package was explained to students, including hours, wages, college release days and what their expectations were. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

June July Tuesday 27th Year 11 Thorpe Park Trip 4th—5th July Year 6 Induction Day 12th-14th PE residential Wales Thursday 29th Leavers Assembly/ 5th-7th July DofE Silver Final Friday 14th Food Fair Parents’ Tea Expedition Wednesday 19th Last day of term

Friday 30th Year 5 Open Morning Friday 7th Year 11 Prom A full calendar of events and more Tuesday 11th Sports Day information can be found at www.novahreodacademy.org.uk

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