Avondale University has been selected by Adventist Schools Australia (ASA) to lead a national research project designed to drive continuous improvement across its 48 schools and campuses. The multi-year commission will see Avondale’s Christian Education Research Centre (CERC) measure key factors such as school climate, student and staff wellbeing, and faith engagement, using data collected annually from students, staff, and parents. The project includes consultation, ongoing refinement of research instruments, detailed data analysis, and customised reporting for each school, conference, and ASA, supported by face-to-face debriefings to inform strategic planning.
This initiative demonstrates ASA’s commitment to quality education, a positive school climate for staff, and nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually—amid growing concerns around youth wellbeing, loneliness, anxiety, and the pressures of a rapidly changing world. It also aligns with Avondale’s applied research focus and builds on the university’s existing contributions to Adventist education, including studies on student wellbeing, school choice, and faith development.
“Schools need feedback based on good data to clearly understand their situation and make plans so that they can strategically and operationally progress.”
As part of the largest Protestant education system in the world, Adventist schools in Australia serve nearly 17,000 students and aim to prepare them for a life of purpose and service. “Schools need feedback based on good data to clearly understand their situation and make plans so that they can strategically and operationally progress,” said Dr Peter Beamish, Director of the Christian Education Research Centre. “Schools need to give students hope for a future that evolves a life of meaning and purpose.”
“Adventist Schools Australia are delighted to be partnering with CERC in developing a School Improvement Survey that is tailor made to provide valid, reliable data that we can use to improve our schools, while also understanding the importance of maintaining and measuring our Adventist Identity,” says Dr Jean Carter, National Director for Adventist Schools Australia.
The partnership will help to strengthen ASA’s implementation of the Quality Adventist Schools framework and reflects Avondale’s growing national leadership in Christian education research and its deep commitment to supporting faith-based schooling through evidence-informed improvement.
What is CERC?
Avondale University’s Christian Education Research Centre (CERC) continues to make significant strides in research aimed at strengthening Christian education including faith-based learning. For example, CERC is dedicated to exploring ways to enhance spiritual development in educational settings.
A long-term research project conducted by the centre is the School Climate and Faith Engagement project lead by Dr Kevin Petrie. The project - funded by the South Pacific Division - examines the approaches that Adventist Schools, within the SPD, take to enhance their student's personal faith journey. The project pools annual data from grade 4-12 students from 2021-2026. The data is collected from surveys and focus groups. Survey results confirmed the clear link between positive school climate and students' faith engagement. Data from the focus groups showed that students developing faith respond positively to teachers who are authentic, take a personal interest in them, and who genuinely share their own faith journey.
"Avondale has this rich history in service learning… it is part of our DNA,"
One of CERC’s recent initiatives is the Service Learning Research Hub, which focuses on understanding and improving service learning within Adventist Schools. This project seeks to bridge the gap between simple acts of charity and deep, meaningful service learning experiences. Researchers at CERC emphasise the importance of engaging students in service projects that are not only acts of kindness but also opportunities for spiritual growth and social awareness.
Dr. Beamish highlighted Avondale’s long-standing tradition of service learning, stating, "Avondale has this rich history in service learning… it is part of our DNA," referencing initiatives such as MOTO trips, STORM Co trips, and ACE Lab’s Fireside Friday. He also shared examples of impactful service projects, including students in rural Western Australia performing random acts of kindness and young students in Noosa visiting nursing homes to engage with elderly residents. These programs, he noted, have led to significant improvements in student engagement and well-being.
A key part of this initiative involves working with schools to develop a curriculum that integrates service learning from early childhood through to Year 12. The team at CERC is collaborating with schools to pilot these programs and assess their impact. Initial findings indicate that when students are actively involved in planning and reflecting on their service activities, they experience greater personal and spiritual development.
CERC’s work has garnered attention from various stakeholders within the Adventist education system. Schools across Australia are expressing interest in the development of the research-based service learning curriculum. The Research Centre is searching for partners to support the development of the service learning curriculum.
As CERC continues to explore ways to enhance Christian education, its research remains grounded in the core belief that education should nurture both the mind and the spirit. With ongoing studies and collaborations, the Christian Education Research Centre at Avondale University continues to make lasting contributions to the field of faith-based education.