Keynote Speakers

Janice Wills

Janice lives with her husband, Chris, on their small farm in Wairoa, Northern Hawkes Bay. They have been married for 44 years and have raised and homeschooled their eight children. Seven of their children are now married and Janice enjoys being Nana to 23 grandchildren. As they enter a new season of life, Janice embraces the opportunity of encouraging Home-schooling Mums, speaking, reading, crafting and being together with her family and friends. 

Friday Night: “Let’s Give the Shepherd His Job Back”

In the weariness and isolation of Home-school life, God cares very deeply. He has not abandoned us. He is not neglecting us. He is most interested in His weary sheep. ‘Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11 v 28.

Saturday Morning: “Peace like a River”

Is there a place for peace in our Home-schooling life? Can we intentionally navigate a pathway through the overload of contemporary living? God not only offers peace like no other but He also allows it to permeate our homes, our families and our lives as He shapes and redefines us.

Lauretta Dunkirk

Lauretta is married to Jair and their life together of 21 years has been an adventure that has seen them move throughout New Zealand and overseas. They have four beautiful children, whom God graciously gave them through adoption, and she is joyfully living out her childhood dream of being a wife and homeschooling mum—with all the panic moments and warm fuzzies that come with it! Her greatest desire is to know Christ more deeply and encourage others to trust Him in the ordinary moments of life. For fun, she enjoys running, reading and writing (not arithmetic—LOL!), relaxing in the sauna, and gardening. 

Sunday Morning: Peace for a Warrior

Peace is one of the most important characteristics we to cultivate if we want to ensure a successful homeschool. Yet the pressure, workload and relationship tensions within our homes make peace hard even for a peaceful person to maintain, let alone a belligerent one. Lauretta is more of a warrior than a dove, but in this session she will share some foundational and practical things she has learned on her journey to having a more peaceful homeschool.