At NOVUS, we believe collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation for creating lasting change. Last Thursday, this belief came to life as we hosted a room full of educators, leaders, and changemakers, all united by a shared passion for learning and a commitment to transforming children’s lives.
Our CPD Event wasn’t just about inspiring talks (though we had plenty of those); it was about fostering connections, sharing ideas, and equipping attendees with practical strategies to create real impact. From the science of resilience to the journey of a coffee bean, the evening was packed with insights to take back to classrooms, teams, and communities.
The feedback from the event was phenomenal:
- 85% of attendees rated the content as excellent.
- 95% rated the location and service as excellent.
- 95% shared they are very likely to attend again.
It’s clear this event sparked important conversations and left attendees with actionable insights to take back to their schools and teams.
This is what happens when passionate people come together to learn, grow, and share a vision. If you missed it—or want to revisit the highlights—read on for the key takeaways and a glimpse into what’s next for NOVUS.
The Science of Resilience with Laura Aiken
Laura Aiken, founder of Thrive Leadership, kicked off the day by taking us deep into the neuroscience of stress and resilience. Her talk wasn’t just theory—it was packed with practical strategies we could apply to our own teams and lives.
Laura introduced the Window of Tolerance model, showing how we all operate in three key zones:
- Green Zone: Where we’re focused, calm, and performing at our best.
- Red Zone: A state of hyperarousal marked by stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.
- Gray Zone: The opposite extreme—hypoarousal—where disengagement and lethargy take over.
The science was clear: staying in the green zone requires intentional habits and supportive environments.
Key Takeaways from Laura’s Talk:
- Bottom-Up Regulation: Engage the body to manage stress with strategies like square breathing, exercise, and grounding techniques.
- Top-Down Thinking: Shift your mindset by focusing on optimism and breaking down challenges into manageable steps.
- Team Rituals: Small rituals, such as walking meetings or morning coffee huddles, foster connection and trust in teams.
Laura’s standout analogy? Building resilience is like making deposits into a “resilience bank.” Small, consistent habits—like mindfulness, journaling, or even scheduling family dinners—add up over time, making it easier to weather life’s inevitable storms.
Warren Abrahams: Lessons from the Journey of a Coffee Bean
Warren Abrahams brought a unique and powerful perspective to the event, likening personal growth to the journey of a coffee bean. From its humble beginnings in the soil to the roasting and brewing process, Warren drew parallels between the bean’s transformation and the way humans grow through challenges.
His talk focused on three key ideas:
- The Right Environment: Just as coffee beans need rich, nurturing soil, people need supportive environments to thrive—whether that’s in schools, homes, or workplaces.
- Embracing Pressure: Roasting a coffee bean is intense, but it’s what creates its flavour. Similarly, challenges and pressure shape us into who we are.
- The Ripple Effect: Helping one person to grow, just like cultivating a single coffee bean, creates ripples of positive change in their community.
Warren’s message resonated deeply: we all have the potential to thrive if given the right conditions.
Jess Angle: Social Impact Through Collaboration
Jess Angle from Community of Purpose wrapped up the evening with an inspiring call to action. She shared how NOVUS and Community of Purpose are working together on projects that drive real social impact, focusing on:
- Eradicating child hunger during school holidays with incredible day trips.
- Skill-building workshops that prepare children for their futures.
- Programs that connect children with inspirational role models from diverse industries.
- Schools collaborating with each other for the Bristol Together Championship
- Bristol to Bordeaux
Jess’s message was clear: collaboration between businesses and education is essential to creating sustainable, impactful initiatives.
How You Can Help:
We need more organisations to join us in making a difference. Whether it’s resources, expertise, or time, every contribution matters. Let’s work together to create opportunities for children and strengthen our communities.
What’s Next?
We’re already planning our next CPD event for Spring 2025, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever! Watch this space for updates—you won’t want to miss it!
Let’s Collaborate
Whether you’re an educator, a business leader, or someone who shares our vision, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can create incredible opportunities for children and their communities.
Get in touch via our contact form or drop us a message.
