ACEL National Conference 2025
Dear Stardust: Setting a National Tone by Amplifying Every Voice
The Challenge: Breaking the Mold A national conference opening must be more than an introduction; it must establish a unified tone of reflection, vulnerability, and collective aspiration. The flat, traditional keynote format risks treating delegates as passive observers rather than active co-creators of the event's culture. We were tasked with finding a profound way to amplify every voice from the moment the doors opened.
The Process: Immersive Cultural Cartography We initiated the "Dear Stardust" project, inviting delegates to contribute their individual intentions and reflections on the future of education. This collection of raw, human input became our cultural map. We then translated these unique sonic fingerprints into a layered, cinematic soundscape. This was a deliberate act of Immersive Aesthetic Design, using sound to transform the space from a venue into a unified, breathing, collective presence.
The Impact: Vulnerability as Engagement The delegates entered the space surrounded by their own voices and the voices of their peers. This sensory preparation bypassed intellectual barriers, establishing an immediate foundation of trust, unity, and vulnerability. We transformed the opening from a passive presentation into an unforgettable aesthetic experience. We created an immediate, felt sense of belonging that positioned the conference not as a series of presenttions, but as a shared journey.
BARLE Principals
The View from the Top: Elevating Strategic Summary to Collective Narrative
The Challenge: Transforming Data into Vision The network of Lutheran Principals from the Barossa and Riverland had successfully completed a significant period of strategic collaboration, resulting in robust summaries and data. However, a flat summary failed to capture the immense impact, challenge, and spirit of their journey. We were asked to elevate this summary to a narrative that unified their past efforts and inspired their future vision.
The Process: Strategic Narrative Design We embraced their self-identified metaphor, the "summit", and used it as the framework for our cultural map. We mapped the process of their collaboration: from now town where they first started, to their retreats, and their hikes to the summit. We designed a soundscape and narrative structure that chronologically and emotionally reflected this ascent, from quiet, challenging instrumentation to a triumphant, collective swell of voice.
The Impact: Unifying Leaders with Emotion By converting their strategic data into a dynamic, unifying story, we gave the principals an emotional touchstone for their success. The flat report was transformed into a powerful narrative that validated their hard work and captured the intangible impact of their network. The resulting experience served not just as a retrospective, but as a clear, shared visualisation of the future, enabling them to move forward from a place of collective resonance and strategic alignment.
Annesley Junior School: Mapping Empathy and Belonging
It all begins with an idea.
Beyond the Label: Auditory Cartography of a Culture of Care
The Challenge: Deepening Cultural Understanding For critical initiatives like "Bullying No Way Week," standard instructional programs often fail because they address behaviour without activating genuine empathy. The goal was to move beyond the flat rules and instill a deep sense of belonging.
The Process: Amplifying the Unspoken Texture Our approach was to use Cultural Cartography to map the hidden dynamics of the school’s community and its core values. We didn't seek data points; we sought emotional texture. We worked with students, families and staff to create a unique sonic experience. This was shared with the community as a podcast episode.
The Impact: A Felt Sense of Community We elevated "Bullying No Way Week" from a simple exercise to a collective act of cultural affirmation. By making the emotional stories audible and tangible, the school fostered a deeper, embodied understanding of empathy that we captured together. The community was given a shared aesthetic experience that affirmed their values, and gave them an opportunity to continue to engage with.