Keynote speakers

Brenda McPherson

"Reframing the ‘3R’s of Education"

Reframing the "3R’s of Education", as we move away from a narrow

definition of educational success. In turn, we are looking for ways to

connect with and engage our learners in a more relevant school experience.

Ko Rangitoto te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau

Ko Waitemata te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara

Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau

He Pakeha ahau

Ko John Watt rāua Lois Pepperell ōku matua

Ko Paora McPherson tōku tāne

Nō Ahipara ia, Te Rarawa te iwi

Ko Mark rāua Grace tōku tamariki

Ko Māori Achievement Collaborative tōku mahi

Ko Kaihautū Mātauranga ahau

Ko Brenda McPherson tōku ingoa

Brenda has been an educator since beginning at Auckland College of Education in 1987.

She holds a Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education and a Post graduate Diploma in Digital & Collaborative Learning.

In 2018 Brenda was the recipient of the ASB, APPA Travelling Fellowship, presenting a report titled ‘Developing Cultural Confidence to Improve Student Achievement’. In 2020, after 30 years working in schools as a teacher, school leader and mentor, she became a MAC facilitator working alongside tumuaki to improve outcomes for Māori learners and whānau Māori in our schools. She is a passionate advocate for decolonising our education system, and making bold and courageous changes in our practice.

Gwendoline Smith

“When You Know How You Think,

You Get To Change How You Feel”

A keynote presentation on how to adjust unhelpful thinking, so that your thinking works for you and your emotional and psychological well-being.

Gwendoline Smith, B Soc Sci, M Soc Sci (hons), Dip Clin Psych is a clinical psychologist, speaker, blogger and the author of bestselling books. She lives in Auckland and also goes by the name of Dr Know. Gwendoline regularly presents workshops for companies and government organisations on communication and stress management, and is an educator for teachers and school counsellors.

In her clinical practice of nearly fifty years Gwendoline has specialised in depression, anxiety, work-related stress, worry, social anxiety and PTSD. She mostly works with young adults and adults.

This year Gwendoline celebrated the release of her third self-help title, The Book of Angst which, along with The Book of Knowing and The Book of Overthinking, makes a perfect mental health toolkit for uncertain and worrisome times. The three publications are all grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) although the demographics for each book are slightly different. The Book of Knowing is aimed at teens and young adults, The Book of Overthinking a somewhat older group and The Book of Angst focuses strongly on Social Anxiety.

The three books are an easy read and Gwendoline's ideas are communicated through illustrations, humour, simple language and relatable examples. “Nobody’s going to read a textbook,” says Smith. “And self-help books are dry, uninteresting and boring.” The inclusion of comedy makes them particularly accessible.

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