What you can expect in Intermediate Phase at Nova Pioneer

At Nova Pioneer, we use the enquiry-based model, along with Reggio Emilia philosophies, to ensure our learning spaces are beautiful and interactive. While the Cambridge Curriculum is academically rigorous with 90 minutes of numeracy and literacy per day, the Nova Pioneer environment is highly stimulating. This is because we generally

At Nova Pioneer, we use the enquiry-based model, along with Reggio Emilia philosophies, to ensure our learning spaces are beautiful and interactive. While the Cambridge Curriculum is academically rigorous with 90 minutes of numeracy and literacy per day, the Nova Pioneer environment is highly stimulating. This is because we generally have two teachers in each classroom and we use blended learning centers to teach skills in different ways (on Chromebooks, through games, through individualized attention and much more). 

 

Students lead discussions, teachers navigate them 

Children come to school to experience the joy and wonder of learning. At Nova Pioneer, it’s important to us that our students feel appreciated, valued and are given the opportunity to express themselves in a safe space. Learning is fun, interactive  and caters for all learning styles.  Students are treated as leaders and we see them rise to meet these expectations.

Grade 4 is the beginning of the Intermediate Phase where we build onto Numeracy and Literacy concepts taught in Foundation Phase (Grades R-3). In addition to Numeracy and Literacy, we will also introduce new subjects, like Science and Humanities (History and Geography). 

 

 

Students Explore before we Explain 

Lessons are designed to deepen knowledge and understanding, with lesson activities differentiated to maximise student engagement and learning. All our lessons are enquiry-based and encourage critical thinking. We require students to explore before we explain. That way they are engaged in the identification of the problem and part of creating the solution which ensures that skills learned are retained.

In addition, in Grade 4, we focus on developing collaborative and metacognitive skills. We encourage awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes. We do this by having guided reflection time at the end of each day. 

 

 

Assessments

Assessments are both Formative and Summative and parents receive regular feedback on their child’s progress throughout the term. We ensure that our students excel in their exams, but we also ensure that skills are retained beyond exams. Nova Pioneer teachers don’t lecture, they lead discussions and facilitate projects that help students engage deeply and think critically about course material. Our students frequently apply their academic work outside the classroom to real world situations.

 

New Joiners

Children joining us in Grade 4 for the first time will adapt very quickly to our Nova Pioneer culture and classroom norms. We care as much about academic development as we do our students’ emotional and social development. Our culture principles and psychological awareness tools are discussed and reinforced daily in a fun and non-threatening way. We maintain a ‘responsive classroom’ which means we call out positive behaviour and encourage students to identify their own negative feelings and how they can best deal with them. 

 

 

Would you like to learn more?

We find that students thrive in this stimulating and thoughtful environment and the growth is visible through our continued MAP (intuitive, computer-based) testing. We’d love you to see what we’re about by coming through for a socially distanced tour. Please contact our admissions team using the details below

 

A First for Nova Pioneer – InterNOVA School Sports Day

Novaneers made history when they came together to compete in the first InterNOVA Sports Day! We recently saw our Nova Pioneer Paulshof campus host the inaugural InterNOVA Sports day that brought Nova Pioneer Students from our Grade 1 and 2 classes from across our network of schools in Gauteng to

Novaneers made history when they came together to compete in the first InterNOVA Sports Day!

We recently saw our Nova Pioneer Paulshof campus host the inaugural InterNOVA Sports day that brought Nova Pioneer Students from our Grade 1 and 2 classes from across our network of schools in Gauteng to compete in this exciting event.

Watching the buses arrive with excited athletes from Midrand, North Riding and Ormonde was a sight to behold, and another momentous occasion for Nova Pioneer as we brought together our students in the spirit of #GreaterTogether and further realise our vision.

Novaneers first InterNOVA Sports Day

As the young Novaneers hopped off the buses, and ran onto the field, a Paulshof student was overheard saying, “They have the same shirts as us – they must be Nova Pioneers too!” Such is the culture of a #GreaterTogether organisation!

This spirit ensued throughout the day as war cries from each school reverberated across the campus. Many exciting events including athletics, basketball and soccer matches were run smoothly throughout the morning, thanks to our energetic coaches from Fielding Dreams and the different campuses

We look forward to enjoying the same spirit for the rest of our Grades soon. All are welcome to come and join us at Nova Pioneer Paulshof to enjoy the Novaneer spirit! Stay tuned to our blog for more updates.