Mrs King

I am responsible for students' well-being and I support those that need additional care and guidance outside of the classroom. I lead the team of House Managers who are the people students get to know best as they work with students individually in order to support their social, emotional, and health needs.  We also look after students in reflection, helping students get back on track with their learning as soon as possible. I am devoted to creating an environment in which students feel safe and valued, and where they will flourish both academically and personally.  

I have 3 wonderful sons, who make me proud every day. I have tried to teach them the value of integrity, the benefits of hard work and instil a drive for making the most of every opportunity that is offered. Most importantly, I have brought them up to be kind, polite and considerate, as I think these characteristics will help them become happy and successful adults.

I like working at Nova because I get to support young people through their educational journey. My role is to support confidence and self esteem, behaviour management, emotional and mental health and well being.

Having strong values set the ethos of the school and promotes a positive attitude to learning.

Miss Ludlow

I joined the hub team at Nova to be part of the robust pastoral care which Nova delivers on a daily basis. Pupils at Nova are helpful, kind and a real credit to Swindon's younger generation. We work as one at Nova. This is really important as we are a family and every student matters. I like my role as Pegasus House Manager; myself and the students have a positive, mutual way of working, meaning that respect and kindness work both ways.

Drive, to me, is really important; as without drive, we go nowhere and often close doors instead of driving forward to open as many as we can for brighter futures.

Mrs Stephen

The reason I chose to work in pastoral care, and safeguarding specifically is because I want every young person to thrive, and when people don't feel safe and supported they can't thrive. Doing my job allows me to give that security to young people when things aren't always going well, and to watch them achieve their potential is hugely satisfying.

While all our DISC values are important, I believe integrity to be the cornerstone for developing and shaping a young person's life. To be the best version of yourself every day demonstrates a desire for personal success while understanding the importance of respecting everyone in the community and beyond. Being trustworthy is one of the key characteristics of a leader, and I believe our student leadership opportunities at Nova Hreod are an ideal first step in developing this.

The thing I love best about my job is never knowing what the day will bring! I get the chance to improve young people's lives and I can't imagine wanting to do anything else.

The role of SENCo is as equally challenging as it is rewarding. What is most interesting is I never know what to expect. I like the fact that even the predictable is unpredictable. I get to work with some exceptional people in teaching such a diverse population of students.

For me, all of our DISC principles are important. However, without a sense of drive and the determination to succeed, the possibility of falling short is high. This I feel is a principle that got me to where I am today. Having faced a number of challenges along the way, I was able to surpass expectation with the drive to do better.  

Ms Preece

I became an art teacher because I enjoyed working with children at youth clubs and playschemes and I felt successful making art. Combining these two things gave me the perfect career. I love teaching and challenging young people to make things they can be proud of. I live by the maxim from Bob and Roberta Smith, "Art makes children powerful."

Teaching art is interesting because I know I am working with the next generation of creatives, such as make up artists, architects, fashion designers, inventors and photographers. The arts are so important and it is my job to show our students that anyone can draw, but also that art is far more than just drawing.

I think that everyone should have an equal chance at contributing to our community. As well as teaching art I am passionate about equality and making our school a fair and supportive place to be.

Mrs Fareed

Teaching maths is my passion and I really enjoy working with students to inspire them to use maths in real world application. The number of students taking up engineering/STEM careers is low across the UK, especially in students with special educational needs. I feel the right point in their academic timeline to inspire them towards it is at the GCSE which has been a prime driver for me in choosing the path of Teaching Assistant. The role is varied involving running interventions, helping students in lessons, mentoring them and  running exams.

I believe integrity along with drive are the keys to succeeding in life. A successful person is one who has the drive and determination to achieve their goals without compromising on their principles and good morals. It is important to inculcate good values such as honesty, respect and kindness in young people so that they can be responsible adults in the future and an asset to the society.

Mrs Howell

I enjoy being part of the SEN/SEND team helping students to access the curriculum.

I strongly believe that all of the DISC values are important in the development of a young person in becoming a complete person in adulthood as well as a complete member in society.

The thing I enjoy about working at Nova is that I get to support students to access the curriculum, to build confidence, to support students to reach their potential, and to encourage the joy of learning/education not just whilst at school but in their future lives as adults no matter their age.

Mrs Raymen

I love my role within Nova. I pride myself on being able to offer an open ear approach, helping them to overcome their emotional difficulties so they can go on to fulfill their dreams. It's lovely to help students learn how to believe in themselves, realise and achieve their goals and to be a part of their journey in their personal development.

Nova’s DISC values are at the forefront of my daily routines. My drive to succeed in everything I do within Nova and life keeps me strong and fulfilled. Knowing that struggles make us stronger and learning to problem solve and achieve our best even when at our lowest, helps us to become resilient and strong .

Miss Webb

I really do enjoy helping people, it's as simple as that. I am professional yet approachable with both students and parents. I love being in the position to provide help, support and advice to both parents and students. I try to find solutions to make the Nova day a good one for all concerned. Having the ability to empathise with people, by listening and talking is a key part of integrity. I really do try my best to put people at ease, by offering reassurance and care.

Mrs Sweeney

One of my main responsibilities is assisting in DT Food practical lessons. I love this opportunity to get 'hands on' with the students in the kitchen. Our students are always particularly enthusiastic about cooking, which is delightful to see. It is very rewarding for me to see the amazing cakes, scones, bread, pizzas and other culinary delights that are created by our students, particularly if they have never cooked before. There is nothing more satisfying to me than a student who is proud of their creation. I love to see how lessons inspire a passion for food, cooking and creativity in the students.

I think it is important that we are kind and respectful to one another and ourselves. We need to believe in ourselves and others in order to achieve success. In DT I think it is especially valuable to be encouraging to our fellow students and to be helpful, particularly if someone may be feeling unconfident in a practical task.

Mr Palliard

Mrs Freeman

I am fortunate to be part of an amazing team who support each other and the wider Nova community. Nova is a great place - there's no such thing as a boring day at work.  

Honesty and kindness are two features that say a lot about a person. In practising and promoting integrity, we are able to respect ourselves and help the people around us.

Mrs Gingell

My job is interesting as I get to speak to both parents and students assisting them with any issues or worries they may have.

I feel everyone should have integrity, valuing other people and aiming to be trustworthy and honest at all times.

Ms Calle Martin

I have worked at Nova almost since I moved to England 14 Years ago. I run Reprographics and I am in charge of most of the publication designs and displays at the school. I also mentor and help English Additional Language students and this is one of the reasons why I decided to join the Open University two years ago. Helping students to integrate in the English community, language and culture has been always one of the most remarkable jobs I have ever done.

Integrity and honesty are those values that help people to be better persons and citizens. In a school where we have students from thirty different countries it is very important to develop a type of scholarship tailored to the diversity and necessities of every single child.

I love designing and like things always looking good. This is my favourite hobby and I am very lucky to make it my daily job. Working with students is also an extra bonus, as they make every day different and remarkable.

Mrs Minczak

Knowing English has also enabled me to change direction in my career.  Studying towards CIPD Certificates in HR would have been impossible without knowing the language.  Knowing a foreign language is simply amazing. It gives you so many different opportunities, it broadens your horizons and opens up so many doors, your endless possibilities. Recruitment plays an important part of my daily responsibilities. Finding the right staff to work with our Nova students gives me a great deal of satisfaction.

Nowadays, with so much hatred being present in the world I find integrity, mutual respect and kindness as the most important principles. Kindness could impact someone in ways we never know. One simple act of kindness could completely change someone’s perspective.  It can bring hope to someone who feels hopeless. Treat others the way you would want to be treated and you will make a big difference.

Mrs Richards

What makes my job interesting is the variety of work.  Two days are never the same. I get to meet the staff and parents and use social media as part of my job – what more could anyone want?

Integrity is important to me. I would rather tell the truth and suffer the consequences than lie and later admit the truth.  I feel it is easier to admit when you are wrong as people will respect you more.  We all learn from our mistakes and, being human, we will all make them.

Mrs Read

I enjoy my role in student services where I get to interact with students. The role is a busy one, where no two days are the same. There is always something new to learn. Every day is a school day, even for me. I like being the focal point for students, staff and parents, and being the first-point provider of information but, to me, there is nothing more rewarding than watching the students grow into wonderful individuals during their  five years at Nova Hreod.

I think Integrity is important, as being honest, respectful and  trustworthy will enhance your life.

Mrs Shurley

I enjoy working in the library as it is a varied role where I get to meet with students several times a day and I get to be surrounded by lots of interesting books. Everyday I get to work alongside students who want to gain or improve their skills by either being a student librarian or coming in the library to find an interesting book to read.  Every day is different.

The DISC principle that I think is most important to me is integrity.  By being polite, honest, trustworthy and kind you can build a good relationship with students and help them to develop their confidence.

Mrs Taylor

I co-ordinate all the trips for Nova ranging from local walks and theatre trips to more adventurous voyages to Paris, Barcelona and skiing.  This is very a fulfilling, rewarding and exciting role as no two trips are the same.

I am situated in student services and there is never a dull day when the students don't make me laugh.

I think integrity is the most important DISC principle.  If someone is polite, honest, kind and trustworthy it says a lot about them personally. These qualities may be more valued in certain circumstances than a list of high qualifications.

Mr Thompson

For me it was never enough to go to work and get a paycheck for my trouble, i had to know what i did helped someone, that what i did mattered, before i was here i worked in a betting shop, easily one of the most harrowing and soulcrushing places ive seen, so when i got the opportunity to make a living supporting the education of people only a little younger than myself, i took it without question, and i am improving not only professionally but personally too.

I'm a person who loves tech and getting his hands dirty so being in IT is great, on top of this I'm in media, meaning I handle productions such as theatre shows and band performances. I'll be honest, building and maintaining the school network as well as putting together all the technical aspects of a good show is bitter work, but when it all works together as it should, the results are more than worth it. The feeling of satisfaction when all the gears mesh together perfectly is indescribable.

One of the DISC values I think is most valuable is CONTRIBUTION.