"Nicholas loves his time at NOVA. He actively enjoys going to school and likes and appreciates all the teachers he has there. I really appreciate the structure and the 'formality' or rituals that are often used and I'm sure that Nicholas does too. He likes to know where he stands, I believe. He enjoys the other children and he and I both find that they are a caring group - they look out for each other. This aspect is clearly a focus of the teachers, which again I very much appreciate. All the children seem to have great fun at school and to find plenty that captures their interest and enthusiasm. One of Nicholas' main pleasures is playing soccer with a lot of the other children. He especially likes it when one or more of the older boys plays too. We both like it that there's a lot of interaction among the different ages."

"I'd like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of the teachers at the school, especially Pauline and Nicky who work so closely and untiringly with Nicholas and his classmates."

David Cox

"Every morning as I watch Pauline, Nicky or Marsha greet each child at the school gate with a handshake, a big smile and some gentle words I feel reminded again of how lucky we are to have Nova in our lives. This ritual not only makes a personal connection, but it starts the day on a positive note and models good manners. All of this before the school day formally begins! The classroom itself is beautiful and ordered, with fresh flowers in the room, peaceful musical and interesting displays to investigate. When the children are working this is an ideal environment for deep learning, observation and reflection."

"Harry comes home from Nova talking about the creation of the universe, the structure of atoms and the Latin names of early hominids. He tells us of the wonder of permaculture gardening, the discoveries he has made on field trips, his pleasure at what his body can do at gymnastics and swimming. Those never fails to delight us, and the look of amazement on non-Nova people is priceless: their eyebrows lift skyward, they shake their heads, look bemused and say 'So what's this Montessori thing all about then? But it's not just Harry's brain which is getting stimulated, his lessons are enriching the whole family - as a direct result of Harry's classroom learning we have delved into Bill Bryson's 'A Short History of Nearly Everything', cosmology (not astrology as we first thought!), yoga, vegetable gardening, and 'Walking with Cavemen'."

"It seems to me that Pauline and Nicky have a vocation rather than a job - on a daily basis it is obvious that they both derive profound pleasure and joy from their experiences with children. The respect, care, time and love each child receives is inspiring to watch. Harry is actively encouraged to be kind, to help, to form and ask questions, to work as a team and to take personal responsibility. On countless occasions I have watched the teachers help Harry to help himself solve a problem, resolve a conflict or to learn a new skill. Nobody is hurried, but strangely, it all gets done."

"Harry is exactly where he needs to be. At Nova the environment is calm yet stimulating, structured yet free, academic and yet practical for everyday life. We feel immensely, wildly lucky to have the school, the teachers and the Montessori method in our lives. What a terrific start to give our son, and indeed, our whole family."

Jane McLauchlan