NOVA’s Ajvar making tradition

To bring a beloved Macedonian tradition closer to our international colleagues, we organized a 'hands-on' event where we prepared our local delicacy - ajvar. Our international colleagues learned how to roast, peel, grind, stew and can the traditional dish, while socialising over the process. The process was enjoyable, but the best part was tasting the ajvar over cheese, wine, and great company. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

First grade students visited a Military Airport

First grade students visited the Military airport to get acquainted with different professions in our community (pilot, co-pilot) and learn about their responsibilities. They also got an opportunity to see a real airplane/helicopter and to hear about its functions. After the field trip, students made a connection to our current Unit of Inquiry which focuses on inventions through time. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

Big3 counselor tour

Our grade 12 academic counselor Ms. Gjorgjevska was recently part of the first Big3 counselor tour focusing on visiting research universities ( Erasmus University RotterdamUniversiteit Leiden / Leiden University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and universities of applied sciences (Rotterdam Business School , The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences - AUAS ) ,all of them located in three Dutch cities : Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam. Ms. Gjorgjevska joined counselors from different parts of the world to learn more about the programs and admission at these institutions , while better understanding the context of location and how does it impact student life and experience.      

School Houses Competition Day - 2

This week our secondary school students had a chance to enjoy the sunny fall weather, play the Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe race and win points for their houses. There was lots of fun, laughter, comradeship and teamwork. Our school houses competition continues …. Check out the photo selection form the event on the followoing link 

ES Fall Festival

NOVA’s ES Fall Festival is just around the corner- Friday, October 28, 2022 The PTA has planned some fun events and activities for our Elementary students. Please find the poster of the event. We look forward to parents and families joining in the fun!

Kindergarteners learn how to express themselves

Eureka's dance group performed several dances for our kindergarten classes to help introduce our new unit, How We Express Ourselves. We will look at various ways to tell a story, and dance is one of the ways we will showcase. Students watched the dancers and then asked them several questions about how they learned to dance, their dance uniforms, and a variety of other topics. Afterward, the dance group and the kindergarten students danced the Macarena together. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link 

Grade 4 field trip to the EVN Matka Exhibition Center

Fourth graders visited the EVN Matka Exhibition Center as a provocation for the Sharing the Planet unit on energy and global responsibility. It was a hands-on experience where students got to see the different ways energy is collected and the history of electricity in Macedonia. Afterwards, they enjoyed a picnic lunch by the river. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

US Embassy’s Phoenix challenge

We encourage our staff to challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zone continually. As such, a group of four brave staff members weathered heavy rain participating in the US Embassy’s Phoenix challenge, having to complete a set of complex and physically demanding challenges. They were able to not only persevere but also secure third place in the competition. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

IB English Literature A & IB Philosophy

Last week, Mr. Marina's and Mrs. Mickovska's classes converged for an interdisciplinary unit that drew subtle connections between Philosophy and Literature. Tenets from Sartre's lecture titled "Existentialism is a Humanism" were analyzed from both philosophical and literary perspectives, inviting a more profound interpretation of "The Stranger" by Camus. The students were asked to share their inquiry question in advance of the class, enabling them to engage in a lively and productive discussion with each other and with the teacher-facilitators, in what turned out to be an intellectually inspiring experience for all. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

PTA Coffee Hour at NOVA backyard

The PTA wants to thank all in attendance for being part of the first Coffee Hour for the academic 2022-23. Many parents, teachers, and staff members attended the event and had a productive discussion on various topics about how to improve life at NOVA and communications between the school and the parents. A follow-up session is coming soon, and a summary of the feedback will be shared at the PTA Assembly - stay tuned! Coffee Hours will be organized monthly and are an important opportunity for parents, teachers, and school administrators to share experiences and ideas. We hope to see you at the next one!   Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

Skopje Marathon 2022

On October 2nd, a mixed group of 23 staff and students were out and about on the streets of Skopje, embracing their competitive spirit by participating in different distance races such as the half marathon, 42km relay, and the 5K race at this year’s Skopje Marathon. We are happy to report everyone crossed the finish line and should consider themselves winners, as they were able to “seek themselves and others at the finish line”.

Hello to all the children of the world

This music project is a part of the PYP unit "Who we are." Singing in many different languages makes us understand ourselves and others and helps us grow. We need to respect our differences and embrace the diversity around us.

Secondary lockers

At NOVA, we take great care to add color and inspiration to the spaces our staff and students inhabit. One such initiative is applying decorative foil to lockers on our 2nd floor Upper Secondary building. We hope to extend this initiative to our subfloor lockers.  

Club Fair

The student-led Club Fair took place on September 27th in the Upper Secondary auditorium during both lunch periods and was a great community-building activity. The fair was a way for all interested student-leaders to either start or expand their club activities with the hope of sharing their areas of interest with the wider school community. The clubs at the fair included: Badminton, GSA, Monopoly Economics, Chess, Red Cross, Book, Arts and Culture, Science, Physics, Literary, Nova Times, Roblox Island, and Happy Shelter. Students from different grade levels attended and signed up as members of the student-initiated clubs. The Club Fair’s goal is to enrich the sense of community, providing an avenue for students to join clubs where they can collaborate, share ideas, and network. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

PTA BBQ Social Event

On Saturday, September 24th, the school welcomed more than 200 students, parents, and staff to the PTA BBQ social. It was a chance for new and old families to get to know one another, plan social engagements, and build a sense of community. It was a most enjoyable event, reminding us of the diversity of nations, ethnicities, and cultures that make the NOVA community unique, along with our love for tasty Destan kebab. The PTA expresses its gratitude to every staff member who helped with the event: the custodians, the admissions team, the cafeteria staff, the eager PTA teachers, the principals, and the security team. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

Kindergarteners are Learning About Families

Kindergarten students have been researching things about their families. This is part of the PYP Transdisciplinary theme, Who We Are. The children have been discussing what is similar and different about their families with their friends and coming up with questions they have to research more about families around the world. From the pictures, you can also see the students are working on their fine motor, research and communication skills. Check out the photo gallery from the activities on the following link

Fifth Graders Learn About the Role of the Heart Within the Circulatory System

Within the PYP Transdisciplinary Theme of Who We Are, with the Central Idea being: Effective interactions between human body systems contribute to health and survival, fifth graders learned about the circulatory system. Last week their lesson focus was on the role of the heart. They started by brainstorming what they already knew about the heart. Then they wrote down questions that they wanted to inquire about. (See list). From there, they worked in groups researching and sharing their learning with their peers. It was a collaborative effort and the students walked away from the activity with a great deal of knowledge about the role the heart plays within the circulatory system. Bravo fifth graders! Check out the photo gallery from the activities on the following link

PreK 3 September Activities

We do many exciting activities with our children. We were introduced to each other at the start of our school year, saying our names. We played a game where we passed the ball to someone else who needed to say their name. Preschoolers love this icebreaker game because they get to play with a ball as they learn others’ names. The children love playing in the dirt; it helps them develop tactile skills with sensory play. Mud play and other outdoor activities give children fresh air, exercise, and sunlight. Mud play is a teaching tool that can help children boost creativity, imagination, independent learning, and teamwork. We are focused on teaching children manners and developing friendships. Preschool is the age when children start making friends and building relationships with their peers. By sharing experiences and feelings, children learn how to meet their social needs. We made a colorful Friendship Wreath. Check out the photo gallery from the activities on the following link

School Houses Competition Day - 1

This week saw the commencement of the school's house competitions in Secondary. The first of many to come was the tug of war. Students across grade levels came together to pull in the same direction, and although some didn’t get their turn, there will be many other opportunities to secure points for their house. Excitement and school spirit were abundant and only expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

BBQ social event

Dear Nova community, The school year has started, and for some of you and your children, it is a whole new journey and an exciting challenge. That is why we, the Parent Teacher Association, would like to invite you for an informal gathering where in a relaxed atmosphere over a BBQ social event, we all can meet, get to know each other, and create networks through which we can support each other through the new school year. We would love to see you there! The event is open to all Nova families, faculty, and staff. Since the number of guests is limited, please hurry up and register by using this link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdc.../viewform Here are the details: Date: Saturday, 24 Sept 2022 Time: 12 to 2pm Location: Nova School, outside ES building Food: kebabs on BBQ from Destan, fresh salad, bread, sweets Drinks: water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee Hope to see you there! Your NOVA PTA

ES Back to School Night

The face-to-face ES Back to School Night took place this week!  The specialist teachers each spent time talking about the various elementary programs of Art, Music, Dance, PE and Macedonian Language. Classroom and support teachers talked about the routines and expectations in the classroom, an overview of the curriculum, and opportunities for volunteering. Parents had time to mingle and connect with one another and the teachers. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

HIIT fitness classes for staff and parents

Last Wednesday, we had our first HIIT fitness class for our faculty and staff. We had 13 eager participants who were highly motivated to exercise hard. Trying to inspire our students to be more active while living in this time of addictive technology might be an excellent opportunity to lead by example.  The workouts will occur every Wednesday at 3.45 pm and Friday at 3.30 pm in the Upper Secondary Dance studio. The classes aim to motivate our staff to become more active, fit, energized, and less stressed. We’re planning to extend these classes to NOVA parents as well. For more information, contact our ASA coordinator, Todor Dosevski, at todor.dosevski@nova.edu.mk.

Book donation from the Nikololic family

We would like to extend our warmest gratitude to the Nikolikj Family for their generous donation of over 150 book titles suitable for our ES readers. Thank you for your continuous support and donations you make towards the school!

10 and 20 years of service recognitions

NOVA is proud of its tradition of recognizing the vital work of faculty and staff during their time with the school. This year we were proud to recognize four staff members for their 10 years, and six staff members for their 20 years of service and dedication. During their time with the school, they inhabited various roles ranging from Early Education and Elementary homeroom, PE and Economics teachers, to maintenance and security. Some have remained in their original role from day one, while others have filled a variety of positions. One thing that has been a constant for all is their ability to continuously grow and find the motivation to give their best, fully embodying the school’s mission to “Seek self and others, in heart and mind, unafraid of the possibilities.” Without their contribution, etched within the foundations of the school,  we would not have evolved to our current form, ready to celebrate a hallmark of our own, the 25th anniversary.  Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

Meet Ivona Zdravevska our new Design Teacher

My name is Ivona Zdravevska and I will be teaching MYP Design in the upcoming school year. My education includes a master’s degree in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design, a master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Lesley University, and a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the Leslie University School of Art. I taught art at middle and high school for the past three years. Prior to that, I taught middle school art and computer science, high school art history and geography, worked as a freelance designer, coached STEM, taught preK and taught special education. My teaching philosophy is that every student should be given the tools and resources they need to reach their greatest potential. I constantly strive to create a safe, supportive, inspiring and engaging environment. I was born and raised in Skopje, but I have spent over 15 years living in the United States, where I obtained my degrees. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, reading, designing and creating various art projects using different media.

Meet Nikolina Cvetanovska our new Business Management Teacher

Hi! I’m Nikolina Cvetanovska and I will be teaching Business Management at NOVA. As a co-founder of Monday Digital Agency and Monday Learning, I am dedicated to business innovation, digital marketing, and education. Genuinely curious and passionate about my work I’ve mostly dedicated my time to create, execute, learn & try until succeeding. On this new journey at NOVA, I am happy to share my entrepreneurial spirit with my students and encourage them to become confident in their skills, while building up a career through that confidence.

After School Activities Fair

Our traditional After School Activities Fair took place this Monday, August 29. Students and parents who attended the event had a chance to meet instructors and learn more about our extensive ASA program. This year’s ASA program offers a variety of activities, including sports, performance & arts, academic activities, and language instruction available to our students. We encourage all NOVA families to participate in our fun and educational ASA Program. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

Meet Marija Cvetkovikj our new Math Learning Support Teacher

My name is Marija Cvetkovic. I was born in Skopje and I live in this interesting city. Mathematics and physics are the two natural sciences I enjoy the most and learn something new about how they are connected to the universe every single day. I have a degree in mathematics and physics and have been working as a natural science teacher in international schools for many years. I am also a postgraduate student at the Electrotechnical Faculty in Skopje, where my focus and interest is in the area of alternative energy sources, more specifically autonomous photovoltaic systems. I am a mother of two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, named Nebojsha and Mila. I love to spend my free time with my family and friends, take long walks with my dog, and enjoy hikes on Vodno. I love and respect nature and our beautiful Macedonia exactly because of its many mountains, lakes, rivers, etc.

Meet Elena Koneska Svetieva our new German Language Teacher

I am Elena Koneska Svetieva, I was born in Prilep Macedonia, now I live in Skopje. I am a mother of a five years old girl. I have studied foreign languages,  with my major being German and minor English. For most of my career I have used my language skills, mainly as a translator and interpreter. I love books and literature. My MA is in German Literature. I love teaching, traveling and reading. I have translated many books by German authors to Macedonian. Also I am an author of a novel "Once we act like love" published in 2016.  

Secondary School New Family Orientation

Secondary students were welcomed by the school’s leadership, administration, and faculty on Monday. Students and parents enjoyed meeting their teachers and spending time learning more about the MYP and DP programs and the school’s main guidelines and expectations . It was a most promising start to the school year. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

ES New Family Orientation

Elementary, support, and specialty teachers welcomed our new families and students on Monday. Students and parents enjoyed meeting the teachers and spent time learning more about our program and the routines of the school. A good time was had by all! Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

EEC New Family Orientation

Our new Early Education New Students, PK3, PK4, and KG students and their families joined us on Monday. They had the chance to meet their teachers, learn about the program and to play outside. Welcome New Families! Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

Meet Debbie Morris our new Math Teacher in the SS Division

As an American Expat, I am so excited to join the team at NOVA. My last job was in Hong Kong as a MS math teacher for the past four years. I am an avid traveler and look forward to visiting the Balkan region. I also enjoy hiking and biking and would love to explore the many trails in Macedonia. Sean and Charlie are my two cats who have now lived in five counties. Let’s meet up on the trail sometime!

Meet Lorna Ossmann our new Grade 5 Homeroom Teacher

I am a Brit born in South Africa, who grew up between South Africa, Botswana, England, Chile and later on married a Minnesotan. I consider myself a third culture adult or more accurately a citizen of the world. One of my goals is to give my boys the same open-minded worldly experience that I had growing up. After graduating high school in Chile, I got my Bachelor of Science degree from the UK and then my Masters in Education from the USA. I also have certifications in Occupational Therapy, Learning Support Needs, Autism and Dyslexia. I have over 16 years of experience in education and have worked in international schools in Chile, Qatar, Singapore, Austria and Egypt. I have enjoyed everything from “chocolate pudding painting day” in my PreK class to baking cookies to demonstrate the importance of fractions in my 6th grade math classes to riding horses in the desert with my 10th grade students. My desire at any grade, any class or any position is to create an educational, motivational experience for each and every student with a little fun added into the mix. I will be joining NOVA with my husband, Brian Ossmann (the Minnesotan) and my three boys, Kieran (12), Lucas (11) and Finnegan (6).  I am surrounded by my boys, whom I absolutely love but they keep me busy.  We enjoy cycling, walking, skiing, swimming, baking and lots of LEGO. We are looking forward to experiencing all of Macedonia’s treasures. See you in August, if not before. I am excited to join the 5th grade team at NOVA. Keep smiling, the sun is shining. 

NOVA’s Jazz Day recognized by Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

As an international school, NOVA is honored to collaborate with organizations like the "Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz", led by the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and International Jazz Day Co-Chair Herbie Hancock. We would like to share the letter we've received from the maestro in recognition of our partnership and participation. We are happy to say that even a few months after this year's Jazz Day celebration, NOVA's event is among the top three concerts in the global video gallery on jazzday's website.

NOVA Family Bazaar 2022

Meet Claire Walker our new Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher

I am very excited to be joining the community at Nova! I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone in the school community. I moved to Skopje from England in January 2022 with my family. I have two daughters, Jody and Nuala, who will also be joining Nova this year. Last year, I was the Homeroom teacher for Grade 4 at QSI Skopje. Prior to that, I have taught a range of classes within the 4–7 year old age group for over 15 years in the UK. I enjoy all subjects and like to find fun ways to learn, using games, art, or technology. I have an M.A. in history and politics from the University of Glasgow (UK) and a PGCE from the University of Lancaster (UK). At home, I enjoy mountain biking, yoga, skiing and spending time with my family.

Meet James Villers our new Lower Secondary School Counselor

My name is James Villers, and I'm happy to be joining NOVA as the new Lower Secondary School Counselor. I am here in Skopje with my wife, Julie, a French national, and my sons, Hugo and Felix, who will be in grades 11 and 9. I've been an international educator for more than 20 years, working primarily with Middle School students. My career has taken me from California to Istanbul to Shanghai to Singapore to Dubai to Indonesia to Moscow, and now to Skopje. Our whole family feels excited to join and contribute to your community, and to learn about life in Macedonia. Outside of school, we're eager to explore all the sights (and restaurants and cafes) of Skopje, to visit Vodno and Matka, and to travel the wider country and region, as well. Thanks for having us, and I look forward to meeting NOVA's families.

Meet Brian Ossmann our new Individuals and Societies Teacher

Hello, I am Brian Ossmann. I was born and raised in and around the Twin Cities (Minneapolis & St. Paul) of Minnesota, USA.  As a result of a couple of intrepid older sisters, willing parents, and a desire to understand the world beyond Minnesota, I began learning Spanish and traveling at a young age. Ultimately, I completed my B.A. in Spanish & History and, later, my M.Ed. degree. I came to teaching through my mother and sister who were and are teachers and who allowed me into their classrooms to share stories and lessons. At that point, I was hooked; I changed careers to become a teacher and haven’t looked back since. While teaching high school in Santiago, Chile, I met my wife who was also a teacher at the school. Lorna grew up as a third-culture-kid (now a third-culture-adult) in various locations around the world. We married and decided to explore the world a bit more - although we both love South America deeply - by moving to the Middle East. Two of our sons (Kieran,12 & Lucas, 11) were born in Doha, Qatar, and we look at the years in the Middle East very fondly. After working there we moved to Singapore where we added another son (Finnegan, 6) into the mix. Later, we worked in southern Austria at a small school on the borders of Slovenia & Italy. Most recently we have been living in Cairo, Egypt; enjoying Pharaonic history and snorkeling in the Red Sea. My passion for teaching continues to develop further when I meet students who are motivated to learn and experience the world socially, emotionally, and experientially. Their motivation and excitement inspires me to help them make further connections to their world and to recognize their own lifelong learning skills and goals. We are thrilled to be joining the NOVA team in Macedonia. In our free time we enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, sailing, and cooking.

Campus upgrades 2022-23

Over the summer months, our support staff (facilities, maintenance, custodians), and our external vendors, overseen by the Business office, have been working hard to implement campus upgrades for the academic 2022-23. We’re happy to report that as we approach the first week of classes, we’re completing our sky bridge, connecting the Elementary and Lower Secondary building with our Upper Secondary building, and a new panoramic elevator, with both additions significantly improving the mobility of our students and staff, making the campus fully accessible to all. In addition, we’ve created a new administration center, which houses student support services, counseling, and the accounting department, along with a new faculty lounge. We’ve expanded the campus’s footprint by adding another 250m2 of green space with the demolition of a previously purchased neighboring house. We also commenced the foundational work on our Secondary cafeteria, in anticipation of securing a building permit, with the addition being completed during this school year. Lastly, we’ve further expanded our energy independence by having completed the installation of additional solar panels, bringing our installed capacity to 200KWh, along with a battery system, giving the school energy independence, even during an electricity outage. The new additions should further reduce the school’s carbon footprint, with up to 50% of the school’s energy needs satisfied by solar power.As we’re nearing completion of our ambitious list of upgrades, we’re impatiently waiting for the return of NOVA students this coming Monday.   

Faculty onboarding and professional developement workshops

Our second week of onboarding saw all faculty return to campus. From team building and onboarding to new training and PD, the week’s main focus for Elementary School faculty was on implementing the IB’s PYP curriculum, with teachers working with three external trainers as they prepare to roll out the program for the upcoming school year. In the Secondary School division, faculty received child protection, along with MYP and DP curriculum refreshers. The week was also intended to prepare the school for welcoming students back, including a review of major policies and procedures, preparing for student orientation, and getting classrooms ready for the first day of classes. Nova staff is ready and impatiently waiting for the start of the academic 2022-23. Check out the photo gallery from the events on the following link

Meet Deborah Cole our new Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher

Noa, Leonie  and myself are happy to be joining the Nova community! I will be one of the 3rd grade team teachers and I have a background of over 18 years as a lower elementary teacher,  specializing in 3-8 year olds and the arts as my majors. My main areas are in development and developing ECC’s, leadership and director of preschool and other areas of international business. I am excited to also be part of the PYP implementation in the future. We have chosen to continue our family ‘nomadic’ life here, after 2 years already, and stay in the beautiful Balkans. After 10 years in Central Asia; Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and 13 in France; I hope we can share our own experiences and also learn more about the Balkans; culture, traditions, take more outdoor adventures, climb more mountains and get to know more of you in this internationally growing, diverse community. Thank you for welcoming us!

Faculty and staff team building 2022-23

It’s hard to think of a better first day back to work and a start of the preparations for the new academic year than a day spent together with colleagues and friends, participating in adventurous activities, enjoying the beauties of nature, and tasting great food. On August 15th, on Popova Shapka, NOVA faculty and staff had a chance to reconnect after the summer holidays and by doing horseback riding, biking, hiking, laser tag, and airsoft, demonstrate that they are not only teaching students to be risk-takers, open-minded, balanced and good communicators,  but they fully embrace these values.  It was a great start to what we expect to be a great academic year. Check out the photo gallery from the event on the following link

New staff orientation 2022-23

We’re excitedly preparing for the new school year, with the campus being a whirlwind of activity. Throughout the week of August 8th, we welcomed and provided onboarding for our new overseas and local staff, coming from all corners of the world, from Cairo and Abuja, Nigeria, to Moscow and Hong Kong. It was a week to assist in their transition while they learn more about the school and our community as we prepare to welcome our returning faculty and staff from next week. We wish them all the best of luck and are confident they’ll have a most exciting school year. Check out the photo gallery from the orientations on the following link