About the Author

Brenton Stacey

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.

A story of how one student is finding his way at Avondale

Emmett Harle’s transformation continues at Avondale. As a first-year primary teaching student, he’s part of a wellbeing program called the Avondale Character Experience Laboratory (ACE Lab). Weekly mentoring sessions, kayaking on Berowra Waters, a leadership weekend in the snow. It’s built resilience, which helped Emmett just complete Australia’s premier alpine walk.

“I did all of the side trips on the Overland Track. I added up the distance in the Health app on my phone: 130 kilometres! Me and my pack, together, weighed less than I did last year. Walking the track was difficult, but it was a lot easier than it would have been at 100 kilograms.

“I much prefer getting out and doing things. It’s more rewarding. I feel guilty sitting in front of a screen now unless I’m doing an assignment.

“Getting my driver’s licence helped me get out more. That and having mates and a girlfriend who are up for adventure. My family and I live in Newcastle, so we’re not too far from Nobby’s or Merewether Beaches. I sometimes drive up to Nelson Bay, my home away from home.

“I don’t live on campus like many of the others in the ACE Lab do, but I still feel part of the group. That’s a big thing. On the Tassie trip, we talked as we walked. Everyone got their turn, and everyone made sure everyone got their turn. It felt like the others were interested in hearing what I had to say.

“I knew Avondale had a good reputation for primary teaching. And I knew the learning environment would be similar to that school—I did K-12 at Macquarie College. I like the smaller classrooms because I can get more help from lecturers if I need it.”