An Australian Conference – Tom Blackwell

Contemplative Pedagogy:

Land · Art · Story

Welcome to the beginnings of an Australian conference, bringing together voices from Waldorf education, mindfulness practice and research, and the wisdom of First Nations peoples.

This conference explores contemplative pedagogy through the themes of land, art and story, which together weave a ‘place’ where these three traditions ‘meet’: a home for different perspectives, knowledge and practices to be heard.

What is contemplative pedagogy? In simple terms, it is the bringing of contemplative practices into education, and therefore into teaching and learning. This might mean using mindful walking or journaling in the classroom, integrating observational practices into the curriculum, or teachers embarking on a process of deep reflection. Each contribution at the conference will share a very personal experience and understanding of this rich topic.

The mural at Muloobinba Waldorf Minamba / Newcastle Waldorf School

This page will be a home for information about the conference as it develops over the coming months. Please continue to check here for all updates, or contact me directly if you have further questions.

What you need to know

When will the conference be?
The conference will take place between the 12th and 14th of March 2027, online and in person.
Where is it taking place in person?
Lorien Novalis School in Dural, New South Wales, Australia.
How much will the tickets cost?
This will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Speakers

I am delighted to announce the first speakers for the conference, with more to follow soon.

Nicole Albrecht

Dr Nicole Albrecht is an educator, researcher and wellness advocate working across mindfulness, wellbeing and holistic education. With experience in primary, secondary and tertiary settings, Nicole teaches wellbeing and positive mental health at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia. Her research focuses on mindfulness, nature-based learning and sustainability in education. Through MindWellCoach, Nicole also delivers mindfulness training and professional development for educators, health professionals and communities.

Gosia Winter

Gosia Winter is a Waldorf educator with more than 20 years’ teaching experience. An artist and musician, Gosia approaches education as a ‘social sculpture’ and has trained in Bothmer Movement in Europe and Australia. Her work focuses on the practical application of Anthroposophy and contemplative practice in everyday teaching and learning. Alongside her role at Perth Waldorf School in Western Australia, Gosia mentors and provides professional development opportunities for educators.

Konrad Korobacz

Dr Konrad Korobacz is an educator and education researcher with interests in educational philosophy and place-conscious education – as well as paleo-archaeology, the evolution of consciousness, and the arts. He began teaching at Lorien Novalis School in Dural, New South Wales, in 1973, and later became the founding teacher and Director of Teaching at Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School. Konrad is currently Principal of Lorien Novalis School.

Sophia Montefiore

Sophia Montefiore is an artist, illustrator, published author (including seven books) and lifelong Waldorf teacher. She is a tutor at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College and Senior School Coordinator at the Newcastle Waldorf School in Australia. Sophia has delivered learning events around the world for Waldorf teachers and artists – including on projective geometry (a specialised form of geometry) – and has created school murals in Australia, Egypt and India.

Jude Neeme-Samson

Dr Jude Neeme-Samson (formerly Martin Samson) is a philosopher, author, spiritual director and theologian. Growing up in Southern Africa during the end of Apartheid, Jude’s life has been a quest to understand how the world works – studying cross-cultural religion, philosophy, mythology and cosmology. Jude lectures internationally, leads Australian outback excursions, and facilitates organisational learning and workplace development. They also work as a grief counsellor and ceremonialist.

John Bradley

Dr. John Bradley is an anthropologist, educator and Adjunct Professor at Charles Darwin University whose work spans nearly five decades with the Yanyuwa people of the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria. A leading voice in cross-cultural knowledge, decolonising research and Indigenous language revitalisation, he is the award-winning author of Singing Saltwater Country and has produced pioneering Yanyuwa dictionaries and Australia’s first decolonial atlas.

Christopher McCaw

Dr Christopher T. McCaw is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, and Education Fellow at the Contemplative Studies Centre, at the University of Melbourne. His research in the philosophy and sociology of education explores the integration of mindfulness and other contemplative practices into teaching and learning, in both school and tertiary settings. He is a teacher educator, and has professional experience in secondary school teaching.

Carol Liknaitzky

Carol Liknaitzky has inspired parents, educators, and communities, working out of Anthroposophy and the approach to child development in Waldorf education. Her work spans early childhood education, human and child rights and she works in land-based projects, universities, and remote communities across Australia and Africa. Drawing on rich artistic, social, and experiential processes, she creates engaging experiences that awaken confidence, deepen empathy and understanding to foster practical skills for living and working together.

Tao Bak

Dr Tao Bak is a Senior Adviser (Learning) in the Division of Student Success at Deakin University. His research explores the history of contemplative and alternative education in Australia, and the ways contemplative approaches can enrich learning and educational practice. A graduate of Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School, Tao draws on this background in his research and professional work. His interests span the history and philosophy of both education and science, and academic language and learning development in higher education.

With thanks

I’d like to express my gratitude to the following organisations / individuals:

The Ileen Macpherson Trust for the award of funds which has made this conference possible. Click on the image to learn more about their work.

Isaac Osland – who designed the mural at Muloobinba Waldorf Minamba – for his permission to use the artwork here. To find out more about this beautiful mural, painted by Isaac and classmates Elsa Vial, Channing Price and Alethea Graham, click on the image.