On Thursday, 30 January 2025, we had the privilege of launching our latest Telling Your Stories project in Whāngarei with Excellere College. This project, titled This Gift from God, was a deeply meaningful collaboration with Principal Andy Mouat, stakeholders from the ARISE Church community, and the local Christian community. It marked the first time we worked with a Christian school, making the experience both exciting and heart-warming.
From the outset, it was inspiring to learn about Excellere College's core values and how they integrate faith into every aspect of their education. The guiding principles of the school were beautifully woven into the story we helped tell:
The Promise: Developing a sense of God’s purpose for our lives.
Relationship: Understanding God’s love for us.
Guidance: Recognising God’s plan throughout history.
Wisdom: Gaining a sense of God’s grace.
These principles were central to the school’s story, reflecting the journey of Excellere College and its place within the wider faith-based community.
To bring this story to life, we enlisted the talented writer Steve Saville, who conducted in-depth research and was provided with a wealth of archival material from the school. It was inspiring to see how much Excellere valued its history, preserving stories of their ancestors and faith community. The result was a narrative deeply rooted in their mission and beliefs.
Steve Saville describes the writing process of This Gift from God. “It was obvious very early on that the land the school stood on had a long history of nurture and care and I wanted to capture that in the story. In particular the connection between the faith of the school and their connection to the whenua. It was also very clear that the establishment of the school had taken a huge amount of commitment, perseverance and faith and I wanted to capture the strength of character that was required, I hope that the narrative does justice to all of this.”
Our illustrator, Kenzie Darby, played a crucial role in visually capturing the essence of
Excellere College. As a teacher and woman of faith herself, Kenzie brought a unique perspective to the project, ensuring the illustrations not only complemented the story but also enhanced the storytelling experience for both teachers and students.
When asked about her experience creating the artwork, Kenzie describes
“It was a privilege to illustrate This Gift from God and help bring Excellere College’s story to life. Their deep connection to faith and history was evident throughout the project, and I aimed to reflect that in the artwork. Seeing the school’s enthusiasm for the final illustrations was truly rewarding, and I hope they continue to inspire students and teachers for years to come.The school adored the final artwork, and it will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for years to come."
As we often say, when you know where you come from, you know where you go home to. This sentiment was deeply felt during the launch event. Walking through the school, we could see references to faith everywhere, interwoven with the joy and daily lives of the students. The moment we stepped into the presentation room and heard the sounds of prayer, we knew this was something truly special.
The launch itself was a powerful experience. Many within the Excellere community were already familiar with the story of how their school came to be, yet this project brought new depth and understanding. Teachers were thrilled to receive the resources, recognising the value they would bring to their classrooms.
The response to Kenzie’s artwork was overwhelmingly positive, and Steve’s ability to tie the curriculum into the school’s history was deeply appreciated.
Representing the Telling Your Stories programme at the launch were Del Costello, our programme director and project manager, and Kate Costello, our resource manager who developed the digital assets. Their dedication, along with the support of the entire team, made this project a reality. We left that day feeling like we had been part of something truly divine.
“Working with Excellere and their unique story has been a really interesting process. The school's commitment to knowing their place and acknowledging the connections and relationships they have had over time has launched an incredible journey that will continue. We can’t wait to hear where this leads them” says a hopeful and energised Del Costello after her launch at the College.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the creation of This Gift from God for Excellere College. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a committed group of educators and leaders, and we look forward to seeing how this story continues to inspire future generations.
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