Nuturing is just part of who Nova Doyle is, and it’s this strength that is driving her towards success.
Hailing from Ōtaki, Nova grew up with Mum, Dad, her twin sister, and baby sister who’s only two years younger.
Looking after wee humans wasn’t originally in Nova’s plan, who had always wanted to work with animals.
She laughs as she explains, “I really wanted to care for them [the animals], but I didn’t think I’d cope very well with them dying... So I started to think about what else I could do with being a fairly sensitive and nuturing kind of person.”
“We have a lot of kids in my wider family, I love being around them; playing, looking after them, so this just made sense.”
“After completing the Level 2 ECE programme at Ōtaki College, my teachers encouraged me to do UCOL’s 3+2 programme and so that’s what I’ve nearly completed at UCOL Horowhenua, while in my final year of high school.”
“Balancing my studies was a challenge, especially when I was also working two days a week at Backyard Kids Childcare in Ōtaki and working with Mum in the evenings. My social life has been scarificed a bit and I was often submitting my assignments at the last minute, but I got there, and it’s all been worth it. I just had to learn quickly how to manage my time wisely.”
“I actually thought when I’d enrolled that it would be a lot more practical – like changing nappies, but it’s so much more than that. How children develop and the pyschology behind that, things like how important those first 5 years are, how much their environment impacts them, it was eye-opening!”
“The teachers at UCOL have been so supportive as well, not just with our school work but really taking the time to get to know us and do their best to break down any other barriers to us attending or succeeding. I’m really grateful for that.”
Thanks to her top marks and motivation, Nova is celebrating a little bit more after Ōtaki College recently awarded her with the Fun Zone Education Scholarship - awarded to a graduating student intending to study towards an Early Childhood or Teaching Degree.
“Now that I’ve finished school, I’m planning to study at UCOL’s Palmerston North campus next year so I can achieve the
Level 5 Diploma. I’m also stoked that I’ve been able to keep working on a casual contract over the summer at Backyard Kids Childcare, it’s been such wonderful experience to be getting at the same time as I’m studying.”
Her words of wisdom for others? “It’s worth it, if you like kids, you’ll love it. The development is so interesting and its way more than just the practical elements. Just go do it, it’s worth it!”