The Story Behind The Stories
This is how we got to be where we are ...
Our founder, Del Costello, was working as a professional learning facilitator in New Zealand when she noticed something troubling. Many children weren’t engaging with literacy and classroom learning in general. Digging deeper, she discovered two key issues: students struggled with storytelling, and often the learning materials they encountered didn’t reflect their identities or communities.
Teachers shared their own challenges. Many didn’t feel confident as storytellers, didn’t know their school’s local narratives, and were hesitant to incorporate features of students home language into stories for fear of making mistakes.
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The Breakthrough
Del’s solution was revolutionary yet simple: work directly with schools to co-create their own stories. These were stories of place, identity, and community. The first school’s story became a phenomenon, sparking demand for resources and professional development to weave these narratives across the curriculum.​​
The inital project has been supported by the New Zealand’s Ministry of Education, and as TYS there was opportunity to bring this nationally recognised approach to Australia. This journey is transforming literacy and broader learning engagement through authentic, place-based storytelling and narrative pedagogy.
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Now Bringing This Wisdom to Australia
Building on this proven model, we’re adapting TYS for Australian schools – honouring First Australian knowledge, local histories, and each community’s unique voice. Just as in Aotearoa, we empower teachers and students to claim their stories, fostering belonging and literacy success.
Telling your Stories:
The Australian Project
Telling Your Stories is Powered by EduCulture
About EduCulture
We’re independent thinkers who blend creativity with deep educational expertise to build world-class EdTech solutions. Born in New Zealand, a land of innovators and boundary-pushers, we bring that same bold spirit to Australia, reimagining learning for tomorrow’s challenges.
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The Innovator’s Mindset
Our approach is rooted in three core values:
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Curiosity: Always questioning, always improving
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Connection: Building strong educational partnerships
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Care: Creating solutions that truly serve communities
These principles drive our evidence-based, locally-responsive educational design that delivers real results. From Australasian roots, we’re now developing brave new learning tools at the pace today’s connected world demands starting with the transformative TYS approach.
Why It Matters for Australia
Just as we helped New Zealand schools harness the power of place-based storytelling, we’re now adapting this proven model for Australian educators by respecting First Australian knowledge and wisdom, learning more about the places we call home all the while empowering students to see themselves in their learning.
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Our Project Team
Del Costello
Education Consultant & Director
Del is the director of Coactive Education who is passionate about solving educational challenges and partnering with educators to really get things moving. This whole project was Del's BIG idea and it has really flown!
Jaime Davies
Business Development and Project Lead
Jaime is our organisational powerhouse! She makes sure that if a school is ready to tell their story, their connected with the right people - and keeps us all singing to the same songsheet!
Dr Lisa Watson
Project Lead
Lisa Watson is an incredible educator based in Te Tai Tokerau, with over 25 years in education and a doctorate in the field, we are so privileged to have her on the TYS project lead team.
Kate Costello
Design Lead
Kate is in charge of asset creation and management. It's Kate's job to manage our team of artists and creatives and help them dream up and execute just what our schools need. Kate also creates and sources our awesome extras. Your wish is her command!
Steve Saville
Writer
Steve is our remarkable writer! With a lifetime of experience in the education sector, he brings his expertise in how children learn and his creative writing and research prowess to every story he helps a school put into words
Our Creatives
Kate Costello
In-house Illustrator - Horowhenua
Kate is a fully qualified illustrator and designer as well as a working artist. With a number of projects under her belt - Kate has a diverse range of styles she can execute for your project. Kate is a superstar with digital illustrations!
Kenzie Darby
Christchurch
Kenzie is a working primary school teacher with a talent for illustration and creation. Kenzie is a digital artist whose work tells incredible stories in an accessible and pedagogically informed way.
Aurora Agustin
In-house - Auckland
Aurora is a talented graphic designer with a secret skill for animation - if you're looking to level up your digital storytelling she'll get you moving in the right direction!
Our Voice Actors
Bev Aerenga
English
Bev's voice sounds like a warm hug. A trained actress as well as a teacher and school leader - her voice overs are loved by many schools
