Transformation at our core

New purpose, way and impact statements refine focus on students

The launch of statements describing why we’re here, what we do and how we measure the difference we’re making are refining focus at Avondale.

The statements describe our purpose as transforming lives through Christ-centred higher education. The way we do this is by engaging students in authentic, faith-based learning and discovery. Our impact: empowering graduates and staff to serve their world for good.

As our vice-chancellor Professor Kevin Petrie begins a second year in the job, he shares with Brenton Stacey his thoughts and feelings about the statements and what they will mean for Avondale.

Avondale had a vision and mission statement. Why replace them with these new statements?
Purpose, way and impact statements express our reason for existence in a practical and authentic way. They are succinct, memorable and tied closely to our aims and activities.

What’s behind the statements? Give us a sense of the thinking that helped craft the wording of each statement.
We believe our purpose is to be transformational and that this transformation is best achieved with Christ at the centre of what we do. Transformation will come when we actively engage students in an education that develops faith and that challenges them to explore and discover. But if we’re not sending out students focused on serving world needs, we haven’t succeeded.

Statements are just words. So, how will we ensure what we say makes an impact on what we do?
Our statements already drive our staff, so it’s not as difficult as if we were introducing a new concept. But we do need to ensure we’re intentional at every level, to ensure our purpose underpins our decisions. This will require the ongoing focus of all staff.

I imagine the statements reflect at least some of your view of Seventh-day Adventist higher education. Describe how you feel about them and about how you want us to feel about them.
Seventh-day Adventist education is based on a belief that God longs to restore people to His image and that a Christ-centred education supporting the efforts of church and family can have a lifelong transformative impact on students. The opportunity to have an Adventist higher education institution in Australia is a tremendous privilege. As an institution, though, we need to live up to the task God has called us to. And as a church community, we need to recognise the substantial impact Christ-centred education can have.

What do you think? Comment below to share your thoughts about these new statements.