Student science research

Four Avondale students who researched the effects of alcohol on the body have had their paper published in the refereed journal Christian Spirituality and Science. Jodie Beecroft, Amanda Kemp, Sophie Lassila and Daniel Sheedy wrote the paper, “The biochemical and pathophysiological effects of alcohol consumption,” as a research assignment in the unit Investigative Biochemistry. The lecturer, Dr Ewan Ward, was so impressed by the quality of the students’ research and writing that he suggested the paper be further edited and submitted for publication. Instead of presenting lectures in this unit, Dr Ward uses a problem-based learning approach where students collaboratively write a paper on their research of a biochemical problem. “They learn a lot in the process about reading scientific literature, assessing scientific theories and editing scientific papers,” he said.

Students contribute to new school curriculum

Four Avondale students who wrote curriculum units as assignments in their teacher education studies have had these units accepted for incorporation into the new Adventist Encounter Bible Curriculum. Adventist Schools Australia highly commended Ashlie Biega, Barbara Boucher, Gary Masters and Tessa Vogel (a graduate of 2009) for their work. Year 7 classes in five Adventist secondary schools responded well to trials of the initial units of the Encounter Curriculum in 2010. “We see it as a really powerful way to reach kids,” said Dr Daryl Murdoch, Director of Adventist Schools Australia. The remaining units will be rolled out over the next four to five years.

Avondale winners in Ministry essay contest

Avondale theology students were placed second and third in the latest Ministry magazine theology student essay-writing contest. Master of Ministry graduate Dr Elizabeth Östring won second place for an essay on the great controversy theme in Romans 11 that she originally wrote as a postgraduate coursework assignment in 2008. BA (Theology) graduate Janet Augustinsen won third place with an essay that originated as an assignment on the leadership qualities of Jesus. Both Östring and Augustinsen are currently engaged in research towards a higher degree at Avondale.

Creative writing anthology

Creative writers at Avondale have had their work published with leading Australian authors in an anthology launched at the college in October 2010. Senior lecturer in communication Carolyn Rickett initiated the production of Wording the World and edited the anthology with award-winning poet Judith Beveridge, a lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Sydney and editor of the literary journal Meanjin. The Australian publisher Puncher and Wattmann published the anthology.

Would-be editor helps produce new book

Love of writing led Avondale student Kerry Arbuckle to an internship at the Signs Publishing Company, where she helped produce a book of stories entitled Ordinary People – Generous God, launched as a stewardship initiative in May 2010. Kerry, a final-year communication student, read, selected, organised and edited manuscripts submitted by writers from across the South Pacific. “She made a significant contribution in turning a stack of submitted stories – in a variety of formats – into a finished book,” said Signs book editor Nathan Brown. “We are grateful for her efforts.”

Former student launches second book

Trudy Adams, an Avondale graduate of 2007, launched her second book in October this year. Judging Meghan is a novel for young adults set in Australia in the Great Depression of 1931. The book is published by the Australian Christian publishing house Even Before Publishing, a division of Wombat Books.