News

ACU partners with Bacchus Marsh Grammar to establish the Neal Institute of Character Education

• ACU and Bacchus Marsh Grammar to investigate how character education influences student outcomes.
• The Neal Institute of Character Education brings together leading education researchers from ACU and school leaders, teachers and students.
• A full-time PhD scholar will be embedded at Bacchus Marsh Grammar.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is joining forces with Bacchus Marsh Grammar School to explore how a values-based education can nurture empathy, resilience and ethical decision-making.

The Neal Institute of Character Education (NICE) will bring together leading education researchers from ACU and school leaders, teachers and students from Bacchus Marsh Grammar School. It will integrate research into humanities and character education, bringing together academic expertise and classroom practice.

The program is being led by Dr Kylie Trask-Kerr and Dr Jonathon Sergeant from ACU’s National School of Education. They will supervise a co-funded full-time PhD scholar who will be embedded at Bacchus Marsh Grammar.

Dr Trask-Kerr said the project offered a unique opportunity to investigate how character education influences student outcomes.

“Schools already shape character every day. We want to build an evidence base for a context-driven approach to character education so that young people can flourish both personally and academically, and make a positive contribution to society,” Dr Trask-Kerr said.

“We’re trying to find out how schools intentionally nurture traits like empathy, resilience, integrity, and how that in turn shapes student development, belonging, and civic responsibility.

Dr Trask-Kerr, who specialises in educational philosophy, presented on the project to character education scholars at Oxford University earlier this year.

“This research partnership will contribute to global conversations about how schools can cultivate character in ways that are ethically grounded, culturally attentive and supported by evidence,” she said.

Bacchus Marsh Grammar Deputy Principal Andrew Perks is responsible for culture and character education at the school. He said the partnership provides access to cutting-edge research and professional development for staff.

“Character education is already an established part of Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s vision”.

“By building a strong evidence base, this partnership will confirm our position as leading institution for developing student character, grounded in practice, informed by research, and shaped by community.

“Partnering with ACU allows us to deepen that work.”

The Neal Institute for Character Education will focus on documenting and strengthening the character education already underway at Bacchus Marsh Grammar, through practical tools, professional learning opportunities and a school-based evidence program.

The Institute is named in honour of Andrew Neal, Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s recently retired principal of almost three decades. The Neal Institute will carry forward his commitment to educating the whole person, supporting young people to learn well and contribute meaningfully.

Media Contact: Conor Burke, 0448 491 059, conor.burke@acu.edu.au