Top teacher trainer

Brenton Stacey

About the Author

Brenton Stacey

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Brenton is Avondale University’s Public Relations and Philanthropy Officer. He brings to the role experience as a communicator in publishing, media relations, public relations, radio and television, mostly within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific and its entities.

Alumnus awarded for service to education in the South Pacific

Peter Roberts puts the Avondale motto, “For a greater vision of world needs,” into practice.

His first posting as a newly-married graduate (DipPrimTch, 1972) was to the then Kambubu Adventist High School in Papua New Guinea. Peter would return to the Pacific islands, first as head of teacher training and librarian at Sonoma Adventist College, also on New Britain, then as coordinator of the Special Teacher Training Program for Fulton Adventist University College. Peter and wife Glenda developed a Certificate of Education for the program and delivered it as an in-service for 350 untrained teachers in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. They did this over a decade (2007-2017) in retirement.

In between these mission appointments came positions at Adventist schools nearer to home in Newcastle: Avondale School, Tweed Valley Adventist College as principal of the primary school, and Macquarie College as head of the junior school. Further education came, too, with a bachelor’s from the then South Australian College of Advanced Education and a master’s from Avondale.

Peter and Glenda received a Medallion of Merit from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific for the Special Teacher Training Program. The award is recognition of Peter’s passion. Teaching young adults then sharing the knowledge and experience of doing so with adult teacher trainees in the Pacific islands is one of his most memorable life experiences. Another: “Being happily married for nearly 50 years.”

Serving others is still part of Peter’s life—he and Glenda volunteer at the Morisset ADRA Op Shop. Along with a work ethic, Avondale fostered an interest in mission, as it did for daughter Lynnette and son Darin, both of who are alum. “Avondale is a great place for young adults who want to dedicate themselves for service to others,” says Peter.

Avondale Alumni honours Peter Roberts for his commitment to make the ministry of teaching even more effective.