The Avondale They Didn’t Expect
‘I thought it was going to be a bit boring.’
That was what Landsdale Christian School Year 11 student John expected before spending three days living on campus at Avondale University.
Elina, another student, had thought much the same. But when they were asked whether they could imagine themselves studying at Avondale one day, their answer was the same: ‘I can picture myself here.’
So, what changed their minds?
‘The students were chill and fun,’ John said. ‘They felt like they were friends I'd always known.’ Azariah, one of our prefects, noticed the same thing. ‘We were newcomers and no one knew us, but they instantly involved us.’
Over three days, our students played basketball and badminton with university students. They shared meals in the cafeteria. They hung out in the dorms, played pool and enjoyed walks down to Swing Bridge at dusk. For those three days, they weren’t just visiting Avondale. They were living it.
The conversations about courses, entry pathways, working while studying and university life happened along the way.
On Friday evening and again on Saturday, we worshipped alongside the Avondale community. Our students experienced a university where faith is not separate from learning or relationships.
The visit held a different significance for the teachers accompanying the group. We had once walked these same paths as Avondale students ourselves. We returned with memories of friendships, classes and university life.
Our students arrived unsure what to expect. They left able to picture themselves there.
Larissa Fontana
Year 11 Coordinator
Landsdale Christian School
