Symposium for Catholic Leaders & Educators
Join inspiring educators and leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia for Faith in Our Stories, a Catholic education symposium celebrating the rich history, charism and living stories of our Catholic school communities.
Hosted by the Telling Your Stories Project, this gathering invites Catholic educators, school leaders and community partners to reflect on the powerful role stories play in shaping identity, strengthening faith and bringing learning to life for tamariki. Together, we will explore how our foundation stories, cultural narratives, iwi partnerships and faith traditions can be woven meaningfully into everyday classroom practice.
Faith in Our Stories is a celebration of who we are, where we have come from, and the stories that continue to shape Catholic education today. Come and be part of a shared conversation about the impact our stories have in classrooms, communities and the lives of the young people we serve.
Speakers
Across the symposium, you will hear from inspiring keynote speakers, engage in thought-provoking panels, connect with colleagues and industry leaders, and discover practical ways to embed faith, charism and community into curriculum and pedagogy. From storytelling as a cultural sustaining practice, to the importance of imagery, bicultural perspectives, leadership, research and student-centred authorship, the programme will offer rich opportunities for reflection, learning and connection.
The symposium will feature voices from across Aotearoa, each offering a unique perspective on how story can strengthen faith, deepen cultural connection, enrich curriculum and inspire meaningful learning for tamariki.
Through keynotes, panels and practical sessions, our speakers will explore the power of storytelling as a pedagogical, spiritual and community-building practice.
Professsor Peter O'Connor
Professor Peter O’Connor is a world-leading scholar in applied theatre and drama education whose work shows how the arts can transform learning, wellbeing, and social justice. In this keynote, he explores storytelling as a vital force in cultural landscapes and a powerful pedagogical tool for strengthening curriculum, connection, and imagination.
Audrey Kippen
Principal of St Mary's Papakura, Audrey Kippen will focus on the importance of authentic relationships with mana whenua and iwi partners, and how story can provide a meaningful pathway for connection, collaboration and shared understanding. Her session will explore how schools can approach local stories with respect, humility and care. Participants will consider how iwi partnerships can enrich learning, support cultural responsiveness and help Catholic schools honour the unique histories and identities of the communities they serve.
Del Costello
Del will share the wider vision, research and impact behind story-based approaches in Catholic education. Their session will explore how storytelling can influence school culture, support leadership, strengthen teams and create lasting impact across classrooms and communities. Drawing together themes from the symposium, this speaker will invite participants to consider how story can become more than a resource: becoming a shared language for faith, learning, leadership and community connection.
Holy Trinity School
The Holy Trinity Catholic School Team will unpack the role of story as a powerful pedagogical tool that can strengthen curriculum design and classroom practice. Their session will explore how stories can support inquiry, deepen understanding and help students make personal connections to complex ideas. Educators will be invited to think about how storytelling can move beyond a one-off activity and become an intentional teaching approach that supports engagement, identity, faith, literacy and learning across the curriculum.
Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray is an educational leader, author, and wellbeing researcher with over 30 years’ experience across schools and organisations. In this keynote, he explores storytelling and wellbeing through the lenses of knowing, belonging, and connection, revealing how story shapes identity, strengthens communities, and helps people flourish with purpose.
Kate Costello
Kate will explore the illustration process and the importance of imagery in bringing stories to life for young audiences. Their session will highlight how visual storytelling can deepen emotional connection, support comprehension and make complex ideas accessible for tamariki. Participants will gain insight into how illustrations, symbols, colour, character and setting can carry meaning and reflect culture, faith and identity. This session will be especially valuable for those interested in the creative process behind storytelling resources.
Steve Saville
Steve will explore the joy, challenge and responsibility of authoring complex messages for young learners. Their session will focus on how writers and educators can communicate big ideas — including faith, identity, history, culture, justice and belonging — in ways that are clear, engaging and developmentally appropriate. Participants will gain insight into the writing process, including how to balance truth, sensitivity, simplicity and depth when creating stories for students.
Thu, 20 AugTe Mahurehure Cultural MaraeJoin inspiring educators and leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia for Faith in Our Stories, a Catholic education symposium celebrating the rich history, charism and living stories of our Catholic school communities.