Task batching is a time management system that maximizes concentration, productivity, creativity, and mental sharpness while minimizing distraction, stress, and fatigue. Do any of these sound familiar?

Basically, task batching is where you group a long list of similar tasks together to complete during a dedicated time period with no interruptions. This cuts down on the time it takes for your brain to switch and refocus between different tasks. The logic behind this is that it takes time for you to get into a rhythm with whatever you’re working on. If you constantly start and stop that process, you’re wasting time getting back into your rhythm or catching up to where you left off.

If you are like me, you are always doing a million things at once and my mind moves like a formula one race car. I used to take pride in my ability to multi-task. I’d like to think I  am insanely passionate about my work, so every task is urgent and I want it as soon as possible. Before I started task batching, I’d switch from task to task in an exhausting never-ending loop. All of this switching comes at a cost. Your brain needs time to refocus on the task at hand – about 25 min to be exact. If you’re anything like me, distractions are everywhere. Our workflow is regularly interrupted by emails, meetings, fires, texts, calls, coffee breaks, driving, errands… life. We end up letting these distractions take priority over what we really want to get done.

Once your brain is focused on a certain type of task, capitalize on that focus until the task is complete. It’s the effort it takes our brain to switch between tasks that make us tired, stressed, and unproductive… not the task itself. That’s why task batching is like therapy and meditation for your workflow.

With task batching you stay focused on a certain task and can achieve flow: a mental state where we get “in the zone,” distractions dissipate, and the work becomes easier.

HOW TO START TASK BATCHING RIGHT NOW

1. Pull out your to-do list. (If you don’t already have one, get it together.)
2. Group similar tasks logically by their function and location 
3. Split your day into segments and assign each task category a dedicated window of time

TASK BATCHING REALNESS

A few things you should know:

• Life happens. Things come up, and I can’t always stick to my task batching calendar; you have to give yourself some wiggle room. If you need to adjust, just move that task to another timeslot and readjust your calendar. Don’t go back to multi-tasking!
• Task batch planning takes time. So you’re going to need to task batch that too.
• You can make it fun! use different colors on your Google Calendar for different tasks.
• You need to do everything you can to minimize distractions. I turned off email alerts, and often put my phone in another room. It’s such a relief to not check my email and socials constantly – like a burden has been lifted. I make fewer careless mistakes. I feel in control rather than disoriented.

How can you use this in your day-to-day life to learn how to improve productivity at work today?

• Instead of spreading out data entry and reporting tasks throughout the week, set a block of time to knock it all out at once
• Set meetings with colleagues back to back in the afternoon
• Use the “2-Minute Rule” to knock out small tasks and beat procrastination
• Work in 90 minute increments
• Respond to emails for a chunk of time in the afternoon

Here’s to getting stuff done and improving your productivity!

Written by Moses Wachira, Growth & Expansion Manager at Nova Pioneer.

 

 

Above all, I must begin by saying Thank you. Not only have I been given the glorious honor of trauma, nausea and fear for the last few days and hours — as I prepared this address that has probably made me shed some weight—I have also been given, now as I squint at the words of my speech and take deep breaths, the privilege to address the World’s Largest and greatest pool of creatives, academics, playmakers, innovators and leaders ever to have existed in this universe—give yourselves a round of applause!

I have wracked my mind and run through all the tiny layers of my core as I sought out to find the right words that I ought to say to you today. I have since come to the conclusion that I might probably lose all of you to a trance as you reminisce about the great times that we shared and your moments together as graduates. Though if there is anything you should take away are these two words Desirable Difficulty.

On January 17th 2016 most, if not all of you took a risk, a ginormous risk. A risk to join the fairly new, unknown, unreputed Nova Academies. I like many of you had other agendas and goals to join the prominent schools that had often made history and that were well acquainted with ‘success’ as well as notable alumni.

Well, we all threw away that dream when we first put on our uniforms and reported to school that evening. Our school presented a vision that was easily sold to our parents but that may have readily made as sulk at the idea. Through the thunderclouds, a great opportunity to write our own legacies and break the shoulders of giants in a bid to stand on our own grounds was manifested.

That was the best choice and since then we have shaken the continent. In Form 1 with our very own ‘Class Calc’ or calculator Onesmus Muiru and Adrian Wanjau Being the best at our first ever ‘academic funkie’ The National Math Contest, followed by another great triumph that saw the Chemistry team in Form 3 lift the position three trophy at the National Chemistry Contest both events held at the Alliance Girls Highschool.

These achievements were just the beginning of our takeover. We absorbed 8-4-4 with a twist and saw our academic journeys take a leap, with highlights such as Bust-A-Nerve, Stag chat—by our very own now in your Android Play Store. 

Outside the classroom we were on another level. We had a story to tell.

The pitch was small, dusty unlevel, with little to no grass and to make matters worse we had the sacred cursed palm tree that saw most if not all our balls burst and even to this day I believe the ball Jason kicked is still at the top of the tree.

I remember the pains so vividly, we played basketball in the upper Dining hall, with only one post, the populations in soccer and rugby then saw many of us struggle for places in the school team. Surely after this we were set to conquer the world. I mean what can go wrong? /short pause/ Now ask your neighbor What Happened?!

Despite the persistence and determination. We were scared, we were not ready for the center stage. We lost dozens of times—the 6-0 defeat against Alliance in soccer, the rugby team getting destroyed time and time again and not forgetting swimming. Wow, imagine participating in swimming competitions with no swimming pool to train in.

Through the losses and difficulties experienced, we saw members of staff such as Mr. Wachira and Mr. Abucheri together with Coaches John and Kioko transform our ‘cerelac’ bodies into celestial championship beings with a thirst for victory. Today the hope is to see the likes of Calvince Kaunda and Andrew Jones swim for the Kenya Team, to see our very own at the NBA playoffs and even Dao and the pros battling it out in Homeboys, Sharks or even KCB. We dream of more plays at the Liverpool stadium and more signings to clubs all over the world. We can do it!

Above all the greatest takeaways are from the hearts that have been formed through the flames of difficulty and failure. That have shown us that we can grow that we can shine! 

This Class holds rappers, like Nigel and Alufwani, businessmen like Lonny  Irungu and Jeremy Muchina, Artists like Jameel Issa, Adrian Nderitu and Joseph Chege, who brought us the Agachi and Project N series of comics, Innovators and Inventors like Phillip Mburu and his team, Scientists like Blaise Nyange, Kimani Kamau and remarkable leaders like Branson Limo, Kuria Kasumba, Wahome Munyeria and the likes not forgetting Killian Rono, Naphtalie and even Arthur Kanai.

This class has all it takes to build the world.

We owe it to the almighty for giving us hearts of stone that have enabled us to endure difficulties in our journeys. We owe it to our extremely supportive and encouraging teachers that have prepared us well to face KCSE. We owe it to Jacob and his team, Christine and Sunford’s team in the Kitchen and Bwana Parmuya and Jacob in the dormitory for making school worth living and enjoying.

Let us now recognize that despite the difficulties coming to an end here in school, we now ought to search and hope for tougher choices to make, harder fights to win, more risks, more failures, and more chances and opportunities to prove ourselves fit for the job. Let us take the big risks, that they may scare us but that may allow us to break the limits that hold us. Because just like the phoenix we must burn to emerge.

May we embrace the friendships we have built over the years with our classmates, teachers, sub-ordinate staff and even our parents. We should be grateful. Let us take moments to recall highlights such as the bushes of Ondiri or the flight of stairs we had to climb every night with Mr. Ongera. Let us remember the Nova Tatu finals in Term 3 form 2, the devastating clearance, club boom. Mixed Church, the first time we did full papers. The opening of the swimming pool, IG’s Concert, KTN’s kubash on live TV, World Cup and Afcon and The great Sagana.

We have shaped this school Class of 2019 and are leaving behind a remarkable legacy. 

We must now recognize that it is difficulty and failure that give us a proper perspective on success—and that in order to enjoy the fruits, we must Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish!

Long live the Pioneers! 

Congratulations Class of 2019.

Speech delivered by Ryan Napo (Former student at Nova Pioneer Boys’ Secondary ) during the graduation ceremony in August 2019.

 

World scholars cup is a program that brings together people from different parts of the world to share the same platform and compete in debate and writing based on a curriculum they provide. This competition is usually in stages from the lowest levels to the most coveted level. My journey started when we attended the regional round in Nairobi and after scooping more than 20000 points, we qualified for the global round and chose to attend the one held in South Africa. This was a much larger and competitive stage hence to qualify for the final round extra effort was required. This is where I learned to work in a team because they push you to do the very best for the team. I had never felt any more patriotic than during the flag marching ceremony.

During my time in South Africa, I learned the benefit of sisterhood and women looking out for each other. After a nerve-wracking week which involved working our bodies to the bone, we qualified for the most coveted Tournament of Champions. The Tournament of Champions, which was held in the prestigious Yale University was the final step in this journey. This held the most challenging content because it was a collection of the best from around the world. From being in a scavenge team with an Asian to dining with an American, from debating with a European to sharing writing ideas with an Australian, I learned the act of acceptance by putting all our differences behind me.

I took a liking to this year’s theme; A World on the Margins. This entailed marginalization in different contexts for example art, music, literature, etc. I got to learn about the perks of being marginalized and the blindside of being part of the majority. World scholars has been more than just a competition to me rather it was a celebration of learning and a simulation of the world as we want it to be. Imagine if the world’s leaders forgot all the differences and worked together, it would be A World Renewed which happens to be next year’s theme for World Scholars. 

Written by Faith Marindich – Form Four student, Nova Pioneer Girls Secondary School

People are born with unique abilities. Take any two children, expose them to the same experience during their growth, there is a high likelihood that they will still turn out differently, regardless of the parameter you use to gauge their success.

Moving through the streets, I occasionally find myself looking at different people, with no particular bias, and cannot help but wonder what might have happened in their earlier lives that shaped how they turned out. Being an educator, I also ask myself what my contribution is towards how my students turn out.

Among many other issues, and subject to criticism, listed below are three opportunities where I think every one of us in an influential space can step up. For each of them, my challenge to anyone in the capacity to influence how a child becomes is to seek ways of empowering them so that we can see more of them grow up to be successful.

1.     Privilege

When a child is born into a privileged background, they get a head start in life than their peers from a less privileged background do not. This might look like one of those things easy to dismiss as fate. However, it is important to help students understand what privilege is and how to take advantage of it to develop their skills and knowledge. It becomes very unfortunate to see a child take for granted the privileges they have and let them pass for things they are entitled to.

 For the less privileged, it is important for any adult around them to help them understand and accept where they are in life and that they need to put in that extra effort to match up.

Most of the time, young people will want to compare themselves on the basis of constants, and then they end up depressed or lose hope in their efforts just because they see the same efforts work for their peers and not for them. This makes them form an opinion that probably they are the problem, while in the real sense the difference would simply be about the privilege that their peers might have that they don’t.

Privilege could make it easy for one student to connect with an influential person with the ability to shape the trajectory of their lives whereas another person would have to have strings pulled twice as hard to connect with the same person. Privilege is also the difference between that student that develops certain soft skills like effective communication and computer literacy naturally, through exposure and that other student that has to enroll into an institution and pay to acquire the same skills. You can guess what causes the difference between that student that goes through a system that allows them access to infrastructure that enables them to learn a concept by doing and the other that only learns the same concept in theory.  

2.     Enabling Education

Ever wondered how come students who have gone through the same curriculum still turn out differently after school? I have come to realize that it is less about what they learn and more about how they are taught.

 “A mind stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Most education systems teach students what to think instead of how to think. Structure is very important in any education system, however, those of us in the industry need to learn how to be more flexible to allow and encourage our students to experience the system while maintaining their uniqueness and develop in different ways.

This is, unfortunately, one of the most difficult things to achieve because we have made the system too rigid that any student we encounter who veers off from the norm is immediately labelled “struggling” or diagnosed with a learning disability.

Sometimes we as educators just shut down innovative learners simply because we know it is too much work. Too much work to walk by them through the wild goose chase. Too much work to walk them through a failing project just to allow them to learn from the failure. Too much work to differentiate instruction so as to get to every learner at their level of understanding.

My challenge to all educators is to make it a life mission to make a difference in their students’ lives at whatever level they can. Let us fuel their curiosity and stretch their minds to limits they could not imagine. This teaches them the necessary skills they would need even after school.

 

3.     Belief

Growing up is not the easiest thing to do. Especially for teenagers, when a lot is going on in a child’s world and there is a lot to process and figure out. This is a stage in a child’s development when they need a lot of support to get through.

What we, in influential spaces, need to do is be there when they fail and need encouragement. We can intentionally show interest in what they are passionate about and show them that we care. We need to make them see the great person we see in them. We can trust them more, even when they fall short of expectations, we can find compassionate ways of communicating to them and helping them earn back the trust and guard it. They need to see and feel that someone believes in their abilities and has some expectations of them. It is only then that they find purpose to be the best versions of themselves.

Every child needs a superhero. Be that superhero!

Written by Joseph Omondi, Senior Resident Teacher at Nova Pioneer Boys Secondary School – Tatu 

“I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it ceased to be one.” Mark Twain

Perhaps, I would least wish any enthusiastic learner to make the above utterance.

I share my four tenets which I would have paid quality attention to in my younger years to achieve most out of them. Grab a pen and a journal as we walk through my school memoir as I reflect on what I wish I knew in my younger years.

Exploration

What if I had developed a unique set of skills in my high school days that would make me a versatile person equipped with necessary foundational skills, competences and character qualities that would have made me more prepared for this world of a technological revolution?

During ‘those days’ the light I was focused on was my academic goals, getting those assessments done and “pass” have the good feel and be ready to join campus after the robust four years period.  Wait! Was I getting it twisted?

I definitely wish I sought more solid guidance in my career path options. Believe it or not, I had three non-related career options with a major emphasis on getting a lucrative job after joining college. Being more deliberate would have worked great for me. 

I have come to a realization that critical thinking, collaboration, curiosity, adaptability, social and cultural awareness are just as important as literacies like numeracy, scientific literacy, financial literacy, and ICT literacy.

The opportunity to participate in an array of beyond-the-class walls activities during my holidays would have impacted the society tremendously.

Collaborate with Peers

I wish I had more meaningful group interactions as opposed to being overbearing. Expecting everything to be done right was good but doing them in the right manner is the best experience. Being unaware that everyone executes tasks at their own pace was not a welcome thought to me. Working in a group was most times frustrating but the light of the day comes in when everyone has a chance to equally participate. It is a vital skill knowing how to collaborate with peers.

Partnership With Educators

Understanding that there is a need to have a cohesive relationship with my educators as they are among the greatest resources we have. I would ideally wish to connect more with my teachers since influence is the next step beyond control in achieving the best in the un-ending field of education.

Exposure

I wish I was involved in blended learning activities like exchange programs with students across the globe. This would be a point of no return in pursuit of academic excellence. I would definitely have emitted my energy in building international connections so that problems facing the African continent can tactfully be countered.

Make a Move to secure your Future! Make it worth-while.

Nova Pioneer broke ground in Eldoret in July. The new campus will host a Girls’ High School and a Boys’ High School.

Press Release: Speaking at the event, Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago welcomed the investment in the county, committing the support of the county government to the project.

“As a nation and county, we have been lagging behind in terms of innovation, to the extent that we seem not to understand the resources we have at our disposal. We believe Nova Pioneer Schools is going to be that catalyst that we need in this century to enable us to realize the enormous resources we have within our boundaries and how to utilize the same” added Governor Mandago.

Nova Pioneer East Africa Managing Director, K. Danae Pauli noted that the move was informed by the rising need for world-class education to compete in today’s world, thanks to the technology that has made it a global village.

”We are a Pan-African network because we believe that change that will make a difference in the continent goes beyond a single school. By connecting our students across our network and the world beyond through our international standard education adopting the Kenyan curriculum, we will make the necessary difference in our students’ lives” added Pauli.

Above: Our Director, Mr. Khaemba, Managing Director Ms. K. Danae Pauli, LAPTRUST CEO and MD Hosea Kili, Governor of Uasin Gishu county Hon. Jackson Mandago and other stakeholders during the groundbreaking ceremony in July.

On his part, LAPTRUST CEO and MD Hosea Kili noted that the institution is indeed a welcome move in Eldoret following the establishment of the first Nova Pioneer School in Tatu City.

LAPTRUST, through the partnership, will enhance returns for its members and continue to ensure a healthy funding level for sustainability for the fund. The organisation will own the land and the buildings accordingly.

Located near Eldoret town, the full-boarding secondary schools will be developed separately across 20 acres of land. The facilities will include modern classrooms set-up with technology that enhances learning, boarding facilities as well as grounds for sports and club’s activities.

The partnership between Nova Pioneer and LAPTRUST ensures that the school focuses its resources on its core strength; delivering world-class education to transform the lives of all students across its network.

Nova Pioneer’s current schools have had a rapid impact. The high school students have won business competitions against university students and developed software applications launched on the Google App store as well as featured strongly in innovation competitions such as Innovate Kenya organized by GM in where their students emerged as some of the finalists in the country, among other major early achievements.

In the months gearing up toward the start of the 2020 school year, Nova Pioneer will be conducting various open days in 2019 to give parents and students a chance to learn more about how to apply for enrolment.

Article published by Capital News

Being able to secure an internship in the Nova Pioneer offices was a wonderful experience. I was able to learn what I am interested in which was Marketing. I chose marketing because I believe it fuels many successful companies and also it is perfect for me because I am decisive and strategic in almost everything that I do. Being able to work hand in hand with the marketing team taught me a number of things. 

Personally, I was able to understand how each and every individual in an organization plays a certain role. I learned how to communicate with people in a professional setting as well as represent myself in a professional and official manner. 

Through my internship experience, I was able to carry out various tasks. For instance, I carried out market research which was beneficial to the Nova Pioneer organization. I engaged in projects which I would present to the marketing team that gave me a sense of what it entails to be in an office set up. 

I learned how to approach problems and come up with solutions to the problems, this was evident by being given opportunities to come up with different strategies. One of my major projects I was tasked with was the Parent engagement project. My goal was able to develop a plan to increase parent engagement within the school. 

I worked hand in hand with the marketing team to identify solutions. Not only was did I gain tangible experience but I was able to implement a lot of skills that I had acquired in the classroom. For instance, I applied my presentation skills which are taught in class,  public speaking which is displayed through demonstrating leadership skills in school in the Nova Pioneer culture. I applied database knowledge that I learned through my computer studies lessons in the office.

The internship with the Nova Pioneer marketing team gave me a positive outlook on how things are done and that everyone is important in the daily running of a business. Working together and creating a warm environment amongst your fellow partners tends to bring out the best outcomes in any organization. Nova Pioneer has truly brought out the best of me for initially I was not able to think how I recently do.

March 8th marked the international day for women 2019. We strive to empower our young women to become strong and independent leaders in society. The theme color was purple and Novaneers showed up and showed out in the purple outfits. The girls rocked on purple ribbons to mark the day. At 4pm, each class had an opportunity to present on star women from the different careers that are present in the world. The young ladies were to present about the woman and what we can borrow from them and also encourage them to venture into male-dominated careers.

We also had a forum where girls had an opportunity to ask questions and address misconceptions about women in society.

At Nova Pioneer, we believe that character is what sets individuals apart. With this in mind, we integrate character education into our daily school experience. Our students learn about self-discipline, taking initiative and being mindful, which are all important in building the future they want for themselves.

It is important that our students solve problems collaboratively and develop high levels of academic mastery. We prepare our students for the future by ensuring that they have the opportunity to work with other students from across the continent and around the world. We believe that leadership is a skill that each individual can develop, and we ensure ample opportunities for each student to craft and hone their personal leadership style. All students are challenged to be innovators and leaders in their own communities. With campuses in Athi River, Kiambu and soon opening in Eldoret, we are now reaching more students across the country.

Earlier this year, our Nova Pioneer students celebrated Black History Month by paying homage to their favourite and most memorable African icons. Black History Month is an annual observance marked every February aiming to celebrate African Icons in history and throughout the world. 

 

Importance of celebrating African Icons

African history is a massive and intricate subject, world-shaking events have shaped the continent’s history, from the early men and women who left their footsteps in volcanic ash to the liberation of Nelson Mandela, and a whole lot of wars, conquests, civilisations and revolutions in between. As a school developing the future leaders and innovators who will shape the African Century, we feel it is important that students know their history.

We connected with some of our young Novaneers to learn more about their African icons and what they admire the most about them. It’s so inspiring seeing how informed these young Novaneers are! Look at what they had to say about their heroes.

 

 

Who Was Yaa Asantewaa

Yaa Asantewaa was an influential Ashanti queen at the beginning of the twentieth century who remains a powerful symbol today. She was a skilled farmer before ascending to the title Queen Mother in the 1880s. In 1896, the Ashanti people began to rebel against the British presence and the British attempt to construct the “Gold Coast” colony. To retaliate, the British captured and exiled Asantehene Prempeh I, King of the Ashanti, and Asantewaa’s grandson Kofi Tene, who was also a powerful leader. The British removed the king and other Ashanti leaders to the Seychelles Islands in an effort to acquire the Golden Stool.

While remaining leaders within the community debated on how to best respond to the British threat, Asantewaa held her ground and rallied the troops. Her leadership and passion led to her role as Commander in Chief of the Ashanti army. In turn, the Anglo-Ashanti wars’ fifth and final war against the British became known as the Yaa Asantewaa War of Independence (or the War of the Golden Stool), which began on March 28, 1900.

 

 

Who is Dr Atar?

Originally from Torit, a town in southern South Sudan, Dr Atar completed his medical training in Egypt. In 1997, as war ravaged Sudan’s Blue Nile State, Dr. Atar volunteered to help those in desperate need of medical assistance. He established his first hospital from scratch and working at the heart of a large-scale conflict, often under direct aerial bombing.

Dr Atar and his team deliver vital care in extremely challenging conditions: the hospital has no general anaesthesia, x-ray machines, operational theatre lighting, or blood bank. Yet their resourcefulness and dedication means they carry out almost 60 operations per week.

His commitment to treating all people in medical need regardless of their background has earned him the respect of both refugee and local communities. His work shows the difference that one person can make, even when facing incredible odds.