Family ties

Graduand following in the footsteps of his father

Jesse Fua will graduate next Sunday (April 10) with a major in health and physical education, the same subject in which his dad, Paul, would end up teaching. The two alumni are now colleagues at Tweed Valley Adventist College, where Paul, also an alum of Avondale, is principal. “He’s given me the opportunity to prove why I should be in this role,” says Jesse. “I’m learning my own lessons, but I’m also drawing more and more on his experience and wisdom.”

Like many other teachers-in-training at Avondale, Jesse’s been in the classroom a while now. He started as a casual at Tweed after returning home before the COVID lockdown in 2021 and is now full-time, enjoying the opportunity to make stronger connections with students. “I get to spend six hours a day, five days a week with these kids, so if a sense of mission isn’t at the core of what I’m doing, I’ve missed my calling.”

That calling became clearer after a “life-changing” service learning trip to Tonga in early 2020. Jesse heard lots of stories about his grandfather, Cliff—“it seemed he was everywhere”—and learnt more about “my culture.”

Jesse’s getting married the day after graduation ceremony so he won’t be joining his friends to march. “It would have been unreal to get back together and hear the stories from first term.

The class is a large one, with 299 students graduating from 301 awards. A third (111) will receive the Bachelor of Nursing. Three will be the first to receive the Master of Business Administration. Dr Homa Freeman is one. “Every semester when I’d finish a unit I’d look back and say, ‘Wow! I’ve learnt so much.’” She remembers telling her lecturers, “I’m grateful for what I’ve learnt and how I’ve changed and grown. That’s the outcome of my study at Avondale.”

Avondale moved its ceremony away from its traditional December date so more students could march. “Lockdown meant some students with face-to-face practical components couldn’t complete their course in time for a December graduation,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Petrie. “And the uncertainly about international and domestic travel, particularly between states in Australia, would also have made it difficult for some students and their families to attend.”

Graduation class co-president Megan Hunter sees the silver living of a rescheduled ceremony. Graduation can be bittersweet, she says. While finishing a course is worthy of celebrating, “it’s sad leaving friends. This ceremony will be a happy one, though, because we’ll be coming back to see friends again.”

The celebration will span the weekend and include a Friday evening service, a Saturday morning worship service, and three Sunday ceremonies in Avondale University Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Avondale will again incorporate the presentation of academic prizes as part of the ceremonies. Jesse Fua’s fiancé Lauren Speirs, teacher Tyler Hobson and nurse Tahleana Bula are recipients of the top Avondale Prize for Excellence.