2024 is a significant year for Nova Pioneer. It is the year that we mark a decade as a school network and it is also the year that we graduate the highest number of students into the world of possibilities that await them. Additionally, we celebrate our two Eldoret campuses for graduating their inaugural Form 4 class. 

At the end of 2023, we had a total of 289 candidates sit for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations across our four high school campuses in Kenya. We are excited to share with you that 78% of our students achieved A to C+ and 22% achieved C to D. We are eager to support each alumni on their post-school success path through our robust programme.

Our top scoring Novaneer achieved an A of 83 points, Wanjiku Kamau from our Tatu City Girls Campus, and our top performing school is our Eldoret Boys Campus with a mean score of 9.4 with 93% scoring A – C+ and 7% scoring C – D+. 

 

Top Performing Subjects
Subject	Points	Grade	Campus
Business Studies	11.6	A-	Eldoret Boys
Computer Science	11.2	A-	Eldoret Boys & Eldoret Girls
Geography	11	A-	Eldoret Boys

 

 

 

By combining academic mastery with character development, collaborative problem solving skills, and connection to the world, we are preparing Novaneers for the most important test of all: life!  

The path ahead shines bright for our graduates! With the KCSE results now released, we expect a good number of the students to obtain admission in the institutions whose admissions are based on the national examinations results.  Additionally, the Class of 2023 has applied to a range of international universities. These include universities across Australia, Canada, Germany, Ghana and the United States. Most students will receive their admission decisions and scholarship awards to these universities between March and July 2024 but we have already cumulatively received a total of USD$ 6,000,00 in scholarships through pre-admissions to institutions across the world.

These results are testament to the tireless commitment and work of our teachers and post school success counsellors.

Our students have been set up on a path to success and we are proud of them.  We cannot wait to see where they lead next! 

Are you interested in learning more about our unique learning model that spurs academic success? Apply today and get a chance to attend our open day!

 

Our mission at Nova Pioneer is to develop a generation of innovators and leaders who will shape the African century. In order to achieve this we strive to ensure that our students develop strong connections with the world and with themselves.

Mark Paterson, a professor in sociology believes that nothing instills learning more than traveling the world and accumulating experiences and in support of this philosophy for this month’s post we feature our very own Andrew Mungai a form 3 student in our Tatu Boys high school who was part of a group of students that travelled from Kenya to one of our schools in South Africa for a 1 week exchange program in September 2023. 

We got to ask Andrew a couple of questions to get a feel of his experience and below you will be immersed into the virtual reality that was his experience. Enjoy!

 

Briefly explain what the exchange program is about?

The program is designed to give Kenyan students an opportunity to build connections with the South African students thus allowing them to gain first hand experience on the similarities and differences between Nova Pioneer schools in both regions. 

The image above portrays our visit to the military history museum where we got to see the weapons that were used to fight for independence gained in 1994.

 

How would you say the exchange program impacted you?

The exchange program helped me discover that I would like to pursue my higher education in one of the aviation schools in South Africa. 

As you can see in the image above my fellow students and I had just attended a Business Studies lesson in South Africa and we had the opportunity to give the Dean of Instruction and Learning who couples up as a Business Studies teacher feedback as is our Novaneer culture on our take of the lesson. During the feedback session we also had a chance to discuss available career opportunities in South Africa based on competitive pay and career progression.

 

What did you enjoy most about the exchange program?

Bungee Jumping at Soweto Towers which is a location where Costa Tich, a dearly departed South African artist shot a video for one of his songs. This image portrays some of the art at Soweto Towers and it was so exciting to engage in activities outside the classroom.

 

Is there anything about the South African culture that you found intriguing?

The classroom culture in both regions is similar. Outside the classroom, South Africa owns a lot of supercars and in their culture they do not take off their shoes while getting inside the house. To sum up the trip below are additional memories that we created with the students in South Africa.

 

In an increasingly diverse world, celebrating a culture’s heritage has become a powerful tool for fostering unity and understanding.  Nova Pioneer Eldoret Girls  is proud of its commitment to honoring and appreciating the diverse backgrounds of its students and staff.

As such, they hosted their annual High School Heritage Day, a cherished event that brings together the entire school community to showcase and embrace the vibrant tapestry of cultures represented within their walls. This event offers an opportunity for cultural exchange, fosters inclusivity and builds a strong sense of identity.

Nova Pioneer Eldoret Girls students had a golden chance to proudly display their cultural heritage. Our budding innovators and leaders shared the richness of their customs and traditions, from traditional attire to authentic cuisine.

The 2023 event buzzed with a lively atmosphere as students, and school staff  showcased artifacts, photographs and interactive displays representing their respective cultures. This showcase of cultural pride allows our Novaneers to appreciate their own heritage whilst also learning about the diversity of their peers’ backgrounds. Our students also had the chance to engage in meaningful cross-cultural interactions. 

Heritage Day is a tool that enables the school community to dedicatedly live up to our mission of building lasting connections among the leaders and innovators who will shape the future of Africa.  Through this, they are able to gain firsthand knowledge of different customs, traditions and practices through engaging presentations, performances and exhibitions.

The annual celebrations enable students to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity, breaking down stereotypes and fostering empathy.  It encourages dialogue and fosters a spirit of curiosity and becomes a catalyst for building bridges of understanding between individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Heritage Days don’t simply focus on traditional meals and coverings but also are an immense educational experience where students are encouraged to research and present on their cultural heritage, honing their research skills and public speaking abilities.

The event allows Nova Pioneer to incorporate multiculturalism into the curriculum, providing students with an interactive learning experience that expands their knowledge base and nurtures global awareness. We equip our students with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world by fostering critical thinking and intercultural competence during the preparation and presentation sessions.

The winner of the 2023 edition was Hafsa Tunny Nasser. Join us in celebrating her as the reigning queen . She has begun her journey to becoming a leader in a globalized society. This is a good and true example of how our students develop leadership skills, teamwork, and an understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity through their active participation and engagement during Heritage Day.

These qualities are invaluable in today’s world, where collaboration and respect for diverse perspectives are crucial. We equip our students with the tools needed to be active contributors to their communities and ambassadors of cultural understanding with the goal of building a harmonious future.

Novaneers are well known for their commitment to the Nova Pioneer Culture principles. Our Students refer to the 6 culture principles as a way of life.

One of our students at Nova Pioneer Tatu boys campus, Abdilahi Ali, founded the Tumaini Pioneer club based on the culture principle of servant leadership. The club aims at giving back to the community within and outside the school. 

 

The club has been conducting various donation drives within the school.

On 30th July, the club organized a marathon where teachers, students and parents participated. The marathon was a great success as the club managed to raise resources such as; Dry foods, sanitary towels, clothes, Books, stationery and toiletries.

 

All the resources collected will be channeled to support school going- children in Samburu. The club members will be visiting Reten Primary school and Lalaingok Primary Schools in Samburu on the 17th and 18th September to complete their mission.

To continue with the club’s objective, Donation drives will be running throughout the year to enable the club to reach out to more members of the community. 

 

Nova Pioneer provides students with opportunities beyond the classroom to nurture their talents and abilities.  We recently partnered with The True Talents of Africa Football Academy to offer professional football within our schools. The program provides students with different opportunities  such as soccer scholarships.

This year, we are extremely proud of Peter Kolenyo from the Tatu Boys Class of 2021 who just committed to join Cardinal Stritch University on a 67% soccer scholarship. 

Peter is a graduate of the True Talents of Africa Football Academy residential program at Nova Pioneer Boys where he excelled not only on the field but also off the field, scoring an A-in his KCSE Exam.

Above,Peter( Nova Pioneer TTA goal keeper) during a recent match

Peter made the decision after receiving various offers from several universities including Amherst University, Manor college, Irvine Valley, Whatcom University and others.

Cardinal Stritch is one of the most consistent NAIA(National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Men’s soccer programs in the United States having qualified in the NAIA National Tournaments in 4 out of the past  6 years. 

We are extremely proud of him and we wish him well in his journey! He is set to travel to the US in August and is currently training with the TTA Football Academy’s Under 21 team. He  joins the list of Nova Pioneer TTA Graduates headed to the US this August on Soccer scholarships which includes Cedric Mucui, Kennedy Obanda and Derrick Onyango.

To learn more about the True Talents of Africa programme within Nova Pioneer, click on the video below.

On Sunday 12th December 2021, a group of 37 girls and 3 teachers from our Tatu Girls Campus traveled to Dubai, UAE for World Scholars Cup, Global Competition 2020 Edition. The World Scholars Cup competition was founded in 2006 with the aim to attract students interested in learning beyond the typical school curriculum. Students from different cultures come together to discuss issues and ideas relevant to today. 

The students qualified for the global competition after successfully competing in the Regional Round at Light International Academy in February 2020.

The students had an opportunity to compete with other students from over 15 countries in Team Debates, Collaborative Writing, Creative Writing, Scholars Bowl and Scavenger hunt. The main theme of the competition, A World Renewed, is broken down into thematic areas including: Science, Creative Arts, History, Arts and Music. Out of the 13 teams we presented, 11 qualified for the Tournament of Champions, usually hosted at Yale University, USA. 

The girls were awarded a total of 55 silver medals and 11 gold medals for their outstanding performance. Ivy Wanja Mwaura , from our Tatu Girls Campus  was recognized as the top scholar from the institution for her outstanding performance in writing and debate.

Above, Tatu Girls Students During the World Scholars Cup Competition.

The Nova Pioneer Community is extremely proud of our students for High expectations.

Click here for a virtual Tour of our Tatu Campus.

 

My name is Sara Teri and I am a parent of a Nova Pioneer student at the Boys’ High School in Tatu City. The journey of searching for a school for my son was very purposeful and I would like to share why I chose Nova Pioneer.

 

How it all began

 

The search for a High School started lightly when Baraka was in class six. Our plan B was the school he was at as it had a secondary school but our plan A was to get an amazing institution that would nurture our son to be a leader, to be curious about the world, to seize the opportunity, to change the world, to be a confident man and still remain grounded in his faith. We solicited advice from friends and family and our final list consisted of schools in various countries across the continent. 

When it came to narrowing down the options, we looked against the elements mentioned above but also against the cost of accessing this education and the experience our son would gain. Our family is adventurous and a bit non-traditional in the way we choose to live, so Baraka studying in boarding school or another country (outside of Tanzania) was not a hindering factor – in fact, it added credit in that he would build personal resilience and character, meet other people and appreciate another culture. However, there was the feedback we received about the newness of Nova Pioneer – Tatu City Campus and whether we wanted to take the risk of taking our son to a school that hadn’t proven itself. 

 

Landing on Nova Pioneer

 

Like mentioned before we were looking for an institution that aligned with our plan A – a place that would nurture our son to be a leader, to be curious about the world, to seize the opportunity, to change the world, to be a confident man and still remain grounded in his faith. With Nova Pioneer, this was already seen in the promotional/communication material on their website and social media.

What was left was to witness that this was aligned to what was actually happening on the ground. And our reassurance came in the student/parent orientation. 

When we settled on Kenya, there was a list of six or so schools we had to look into – those offering the Cambridge curriculum and the National curriculum. Due to distance and not wanting the search process to cost us a lot we were able to secure interviews for 4 of these schools in one go, Nova Pioneer included.

Baraka and I came to Kenya for this exercise as his dad was tied up at work. We were lucky on the visit to have a great taxi guy who was with us the whole week. In this marathon visit, which turned out to be more time-consuming and exhausting than anticipated, Nova Pioneer happened to be the last school to visit.

At this point a friend of mine (an Aunt to Baraka), the Taxi guy (Peter), Baraka and myself attended the Nova Pioneer student/parent orientation session. Beyond the fact that it was a student-led orientation from the gate, what had already enticed us as parents from the get-go from the brochures we had seen was Nova’s motto – developing innovators & leaders who will shape the future. This was embodied by students and teachers alike on the orientation day in everything that was done. Once the four of us (Baraka’s Aunt, Baraka, Peter and I) were in the car heading home, there was a shared silent understanding that we had landed on the school, and no more searching was needed. In the car on the way back, we spoke about our excitement over the school and I must say it was a village decision to settle on Nova Pioneer. 

 

Another factor that sold us from the onset and continues to now is Nova’s connectedness and embrace of technology. It’s been a desire for us that our son catches up with technology-enhanced learning because that is the way of the world now for the younger generation and Baraka did not have this option in his previous school. It’s also proven convenient for us as parents as we are full time working parents and we are based in two different cities but we intensively use our computers and phones for work. When communication comes whether on Class Dojo or WhatsApps or email from Nova, we are assured both of us will get this information. During the closedown period, it’s made it easier for Baraka’s dad to be the primary support for his education even remotely. 

 

Adapting to Change

 

Well, my husband and I both work and we had to work through the COVID-19 period. Also, Baraka has two younger brothers who also had to be at home at this time. The fact that Nova was able to swiftly switch into online learning (I believe it was under a week) helped us a lot in structuring our family life in this time and we are grateful to be part of those who could afford the facilities to support this style of learning for our son. In Tanzania, life went back to normal in June and for the continued online classes at Nova this has meant again keeping our son engaged while his brothers went back to school and us parents resumed full schedules.  

 

Meeting Our Expectations

 

Baraka only joined Nova in January 2020 and had less than four months there before he had to come back home. However, in that time we’ve found that Baraka has become more expressive – he is a very quiet young man naturally (one-liner answers are his thing). But at least now you are able to hear him go beyond this one-line response. He is also beginning to define what he wants and doesn’t want to engage in and this is great for any parent to witness. 

As parents, we are reassured in our choice of school. We’ve always given as much importance to non-academic learning as to academic learning as we believe one needs a holistic approach to their growth journey. 

One of the things that had previously frustrated Baraka’s father and I with schools is the lack of parent engagement and lack of communication. Nova does not suffer in these areas. Although for the physical engagements (e.g. Parent Mixers) it’s difficult for us to partake in we see and appreciate the efforts. However, we receive communication constantly – whether it’s our son’s progress via Class Dojo or administrative happenings via email etc it helps us feel confident that our son is the school’s priority as well as we have access and ability to shape and be part of the Nova culture.

One thing we are grateful for the holistic experience a child is bound to get when attending Nova. Under normal circumstances these experiences – a move from traditional learning (teacher knows best, the core subjects/traditional subjects are your ticket out, the learning happens in class only etc) – are found in certain schools and access to these schools mines a hole in your pocket, however, with Nova even the dream to dare pioneer/venture into the nontraditional is already winning enough. 

 

 

What I can say is any parent has to come to Nova with their child and experience it and the story will be over. Period. And we would also add that as parents we really have to interrogate what values we align to and whether the schools we send out children to align to those values. For us, Nova’s ethos aligned with our views of what education should be and family values so it did not take much convincing.  

Additionally, we were comforted by the fact that we found Nova Pioneer had a modest international student body. We were immediately introduced to two students from Tanzania and Baraka has formed a close relationship with one of them and as parents we were also introduced to a family that lives close to us and this support system helped us navigate the visiting days and holidays etc.  Nova Pioneer is still shaping their international student body but in the meantime have been accommodative to meet us where we are at with any hindrances brought by educations system change or physical distance. 

Since the inception of the first Nova Pioneer School, it has been our core mandate to ensure that we are availing the platform that enables each of our students to always lead a life with an inquisitive lens, always seeking for a fresh perspective and willing to ask the pertinent questions while articulating their truth with utmost inclusivity. 

 

Why Nova Pioneer Connect?

It is for this reason that we are excited to introduce  Nova Pioneer Connect Speaker Series. Nova Pioneer Connect will be a bi-weekly zoom webinar featuring a panel of our students across all our schools tackling some of the most pressing topics that speak to their agency as future leaders and responsible citizens who will play a proactive role in safeguarding our future as a country and a continent!

 

Tackling relevant topics

We can all acknowledge that it’s a particularly interesting time in the world to be alive. There’s so much happening at the same time. It goes without saying that all these events, situations will need our energy, attention, empathy, thoughts in equal measure. So we are left with the challenge of deciding what to focus on partially, fully or what to not give our attention to at all. True to the famous Greek philosophy of “Know thyself,” four of our High school students from the Tatu and Eldoret Campuses kicked off our inaugural series on 29th May with openly talking about “Finding our Inner Voice and Trusting it”. 

Hundreds of prospective parents joined Nduta (NP Tatu Girls, F4), Raphael (NP Tatu Boys, F4), Lynn (NP Eldoret Girls, F1) and Allan (NP Eldoret Boys, F1) in a hearty conversation walking through their journey finding their inner voices and what challenges they continue to face and overcome as they grow. 

Click on the link above to watch a recording of the session.

Look out for more info on our upcoming Nova Pioneer Connect Session on our social media!