YOUR STORY

WHO DO YOU THINK

YOU ARE?
 DO YOU EVER
WONDER….
WHAT’S THE POINT?
SO, WHAT DO YOU
DO ALL DAY?
DOES IT MATTER?
DO I MATTER?
DOES WHAT I DO MATTER?
SEEING THE FULL
PICTURE
Let’s Crunch the Numbers
The Online Experience (website, social media, access to information) is, post pandemic, considered the most critical
tool in school marketing. 94% of first impressions are design-related, a 68% of consumers advised that brand story
telling influenced their decision-making process.

49% of users say that they are likely to engage a service or buy a product they found on social media. 84% of
consumers trust online reviews and comments as much as a personal recommendation.

Teachers who believe they are heard and celebrated by colleagues and leadership are 4.6x more likely to feel
empowered to do their best work.

Post Pandemic, positive and excellence in communication practices between a school and parents was voted
the most important element by families in why their children remained enrolled in private schools.

Poor Communication results in employee stress increasing by 52%, and 82% of workplace failures.

Evidence shows that students engaged in school-based events and activities run by the school, have higher
academic achievements, and parents see their child’s long-term success is linked to that engagement.

Source: LinkedIn, ISM, Education NSW

SHIFT THE NARRATIVE
CANCER WARDS AND DISNEY
 Move Into Good Spaces

"It's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't
take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our
everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver." – Betty White

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
— Anne Frank
“Today might be hard. But hard is not impossible. And you have the
God who threw stars into space in your corner. You’ve got this” - Anon
HOW DO WE STAY
ENCOURAGED?
STORY in MARKETING
& COMMUNICATIONS
What Makes a Story so powerful?
Stories Resonate

‘In any group, roughly 40 percent will be predominantly VISUAL

LEARNERS who learn best from videos, diagrams, or illustrations.
Another 40 percent will be AUDITORY LEARNERS, learning best through
lectures and discussions. The remaining 20 percent are KINESTHETIC
LEARNERS, who learn best by doing, experiencing, or feeling.
Storytelling has aspects that work for all three types. Visual learners
appreciate the mental pictures storytelling evokes. Auditory learners focus
on the words and the storyteller’s voice. Kinesthetic learners remember the
emotional connections and feelings from the story.’
Paul Smith (Harvard Business)
Stories Cut Through

‘One of the biggest challenges facing the modern marketing team is how to
break through rather than be drowned out by the content tsunami. Instead
of pinning your hopes on the next magical adtech tool or some other
marketing tactic in your arsenal, you should reorient everything around
STORY TELLING. This is because I’ve found that people don’t remember
data or speeds and feeds; it’s stories that transcend time, people and
cultures. And for marketing to cut through all the noise and thrive, it should
infuse storytelling in everything. Otherwise, you may be stuck on the
hamster wheel of spending more and more money to stand still.’
Maria Hattar, 2022, Forbes
Stories Stick

Psychologist Jerone Bruner’s research suggests that facts are 20 times more likely to be
remembered if they’re part of a story.

‘Your goal in every communication is to influence your target audience (change their
current attitudes, belief, knowledge, and behavior). Information alone rarely changes any
of these. Research confirms that well-designed stories are the most effective vehicle for
exerting influence.’
Kendall Haven
ADS THAT STICK
ADS THAT STICK
YOUR SCHOOL’S
STORY
 Implement the Storytelling
1. Identify Your Unique Stories: Begin by uncovering the distinct stories within your school. These could be
success stories of students, inspiring journeys of faculty or staff members, or the history and mission of your
institution. These narratives should resonate with your Christian values and mission.
2. Craft Compelling Narratives: Develop these stories into compelling narratives. Use the classic storytelling
structure with characters, conflict, and resolution. Show the transformation that occurs within your school community
3. Incorporate Faith and Values: Integrate Christian faith and values into your stories. Highlight how your
school fosters spiritual growth, moral character, and service to the community. This demonstrates the faith-centered
education you offer….(Remind existing families, and pique the interest of future families)
4. Leverage Multiple Platforms: Share these stories through various marketing channels. Use your school
website, social media, newsletters, and events to reach a wide audience. Incorporate visuals, including images and
videos, to enhance engagement.
5. Engage the Community: Involve parents, alumni, and current students in sharing their stories. Create a
sense of belonging and a community that reinforces your school's mission.
6. Measure and Adjust: Utilize analytics and gather feedback to measure the impact of your storytelling
efforts. Adjust your approach based on what works best for your audience (Google, Hootsuite, platform analytics).
It’s encouraging and motivating to do!
7. Consistency and Authenticity: Maintain consistency in your storytelling, ensuring your brand's tone, voice,
and values shine through. Be authentic and transparent to build trust with your audience.
EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES
SHAKE IT UP OCCASIONALLY.
GIVE IT A HUMAN FACE
How to tell a story

How do we implement a storytelling

approach in our school marketing and
communications?
From Facts to Fantastic
‘Congratulations to our Class of 2023, whose ATAR results show some remarkable outcomes.
With an average ATAR of 89 and with 30% of graduates receiving an ATAR over 92, we are
incredibly proud of them and the hard work they undertook to achieve those results. Our DUX,
Rowan Atkinson, also topped the class, with an impressive 99.2 ATAR.
Congratulations to every student for their results, and thanks to our remarkable staff who helped
them on this journey.’

What about posting this to cover your bases, but then doing some personal focus posts…
In the midst of the fabulous ATAR results of our class of 2023, several of our students showed particular tenacity
and depth of character in seeing the year through, and were also rewarded with ATARs that are a credit to them.
One such student is Amy, who, not only acquired an ATAR of 92, but also won the state championships in
mountain biking, and also served on our student council. All this whilst also recovering from a serious MTB
injury earlier in the year. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you Amy and your cohort.
Congratulations.

OR
Having the post written by the winner of the English Prize with a perspective from the students.
From Satisfactory to Sensational
‘On Friday, the Kindy students brought their Dads or Father Figures to the classroom for a
special morning event. Our young hosts had the chance to show their parent what a typical day
looked like – did some craft activities together, painted a picture, and shared a delicious morning
tea. We are so grateful for the men in our children’s lives and are so glad they had the
opportunity to join us.’

What about getting a quote from a Dad, or better still, from the students:

‘On Friday, our Kindergarten doors were opened to the important men in the lives of our students, and the
experience was valuable for everyone involved. As Harry (5) painted a portrait of his grandfather, he said
‘I like having Pa here so he gets to see why I love school and meet my friends’. Harry’s Grandfather
agreed, stating ‘it’s not every day I get to step into Harry’s world, and it’s brilliant to meet everyone and see
what happens during the day’.
The sense of celebration in the room was fabulous, with our guests leaving with a special craft in hand, a
portrait of themselves, and having shared a fantastic morning tea together with the other significant men
in our children’s lives.
Thank you for coming gentlemen. We are so grateful for you and the role you play in our students’ lives.’
Can I Try Something New?

Think about how you currently use storytelling in your

own school community.

No limits…can you think of new ways you could use story?

Finding the space in your work-day to step outside of the

box…
 Can I Try Something New?

Have a different class a week create a post for your school’s social media.
E.g. Year 1 (written by the students with teacher input). Guaranteed shares, cuteness, a great way for external parties to hear from the kids rather than
through the pure marketing filter… BUT it’s marketing gold.

Have one story per week in your newsletter, social media, or app that is pure
story. Real student. Real outcome. Tangible and relatable. Success, overcoming, exemplary
character. e.g. Buddy Bench Super Star, Sporting Star, Student Leader initiative, Mentor story

Find students who volunteer or serve within external organisations.

Share their story. Promotes service mentality. Displays school values.
Tag the organization. It’s a way to tap into your target market community that benefits everyone. Onshares pretty guaranteed.
E.g. Local volunteer fire brigade, local op shops, sporting organisations, etc.

Where are your community getting their local news?

How can you be part of that network? What kind of stories do they use and promote…find ways of being part of that.
GOD IN OUR STORY
‘CAN I HELP YOU’?
GOD
With our gifts
With God’s grace
With our gifts
With God’s grace
Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Margaret
Thatcher, Shane Warne, Sting, The
Wiggles, Sam Kekovich (Australian
Lambassador), John Farnham, Roger
Federer, Tim Cahill, Tiger Woods, Steve
Irwin, Bryce Courtney, Paul Jennings, The
Veggies Tales team (Bob the Tomato and
Larry the Cucumber), Gina Jeffries, Ian
Thorpe, Louise Savvage, The Wildcats,
Perth Glory, every state Premier, Prime
Minister John Howard, Julia Gillard, Joe
Hockey, Greg Norman, Treasurer Peter
Costello, Peter Garrett, David Suzuki, Ban-
Ki-Moon (UN Secretary General), Billy
Graham, Lee Kernigan, Rolf Harris,
Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Blair, Alan
Shearer, John Eldridge, Holden Racing
Team, Ford Racing team, Michael Milton,
Prof Ian Frazer (Australian of the Year),
Andrew Gaze, Stephen Smith, Adam Scott,
Alexander Downer, U2, Bono, Jane and
Glenn McGrath …..and on and on and
on…..
HELP ME GOD!
Newspaper – from drought to drenching

STORY in MARKETING
God is powerful enough
to use our frail efforts,
and multiply them out for
his honour.
Even when we get our heads around the fact that
we contribute meaningfully into the health of our
schools, God can go further and deliver the
miraculous.
IT ALL WORKS
TOGETHER
 YOU’VE GOT THIS!
2 Peter 1:3 (Message)

‘Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and
intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!
We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you - your tickets to participation in the life of God after you
turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual
understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension
fitting into and developing the others.

With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward
as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.’
You are God’s chosen storyteller
in your school.

The power to shape how your school

is viewed is part of your story. Your value can’t be
overstated. God’s ability to shift the narrative is
incomprehensible.
Do what you can.

Work to the best of your ability.

You are enough and make a difference

Invite God be a key player in our story and watch

Him work.
Your story

God led you here for such a time as

this.
Your Story Matters

We are enough. We have purpose. We make a difference.

Isaiah 41:9b-10

‘You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.’
 He owns the Cattle
on a Thousand Hills

MY STORY
 Telling your story

Remind yourself of the hallmark moments in your life that were

undoubtably God moments.

Use the memory of them to encourage yourself and others about

the reality of God and his ability to use us even in our frailty.

If you can’t recall a hallmark moment, ask God to work his

presence and purpose in your life.
We are enough. Our story matters.

Isaiah 41:9b-10

‘You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.’
PLEASE REACH OUT!

Dianne Fraser
[email protected]
The Kingdom Assignment
From Church Newsletter to Oprah Winfrey

STORY in COMMUNITY