Whitley College Community News

What a wonderful morning at Canterbury Baptist Church on Sunday 16 November! We were made to feel so welcome as they hosted a special service with a Whitley focus.

The service was a true collaboration. Talented musicians from the church joined Whitley staff to lead worship, with Whitley Council member Rev Mike Riddell bringing the scripture readings, after which our Dean of Research, Rev Associate Professor Sean Winter, delivered an inspiring sermon.

We were touched as Academic Dean, Rev Dr Andrew Mitchell, interviewed members of our Whitley community – Dr Megan Turton, Tim Worsam, and Rev Stephen Field – asking them each to reflect on what their connection to Whitley means to them. Prayers of intercession were led by our Dean of Students, Katie Parker, and Chief Operating Officer, Neil Morgan.

A highlight of the service was the Prayers of Induction for our Principal, Rev Associate Professor Darrell Jackson, led by Council members Rev Katrina Lambert of Ashburton Baptist, and Rev Daniel Bullock from the BUV. It was a moving and significant moment for Darrell and for Whitley College.

We are so grateful to the Canterbury congregation for their hospitality. Sharing a meal together after the service was the perfect way to finish a very special event in the life of our college.

We were delighted to welcome attendees to Whitley’s Open Day on Saturday, 15 November.

It was a wonderful opportunity to hear about Whitley’s diverse programs and learning pathways, and to meet some of our faculty and hear first-hand about the units they will be teaching throughout 2026. We also heard from a few of our incredible students – our greatest advocates - including one who studies with us online from Queensland. They each shared inspiring stories about their learning journey, and how Whitley is equipping them for discipleship and ministry.

After the presentations, we continued the conversation over lunch, where visitors enjoyed more connection, community, and Q&A time.

If you couldn’t make it but would like to learn more, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch at [email protected].

We are excited to welcome all to our Open Day today!

We are certainly enjoying our time at this beautiful location during the renovations of our Parkville campus.
Interested in seeing more and hearing about the courses we offer? Come to Open Day this Saturday! You can register via this link:
https://www.whitley.edu.au/whitley-college-open-day-saturday-15-november-2025/

You're Invited to our Whitley College Open Day

Saturday 15 November | 11.00 am - 1.00 pm
90 Albion Road, Box Hill

Are you:
• Curious about theology and what it means for life today
• Exploring a call to ministry, spiritual care, or deeper faith formation
• Interested in studying with us now or in the future
• Wanting to understand how theological education can shape leadership, vocation, and service in today’s world

This is your chance to explore what study at Whitley could offer.

• Meet our faculty and students
• Discover pathways in theology, ministry, formation, and spiritual care
• Enjoy a light catered lunch and connect with community

Registration is essential. Please register here: https://whitley_open_day.eventbrite.com.au

We look forward to welcoming you.

Whitley’s Dean of Research and Director of New Testament Studies, Sean Winter, recently attended a conference hosted by our colleagues in the Australian University College of Divinity on the theme of “Paul and Human Flourishing.”

Sean was able to speak at a book launch for a recent volume of essays on Paul in his Jewish and Graeco-Roman Context and to present a paper exploring the way that Paul thinks about ethical virtue in Philippians 4:8–9.

During the past year, Whitley Faculty have taken up many opportunities to contribute to scholarly conversations about the relevance of biblical texts to the contemporary challenges that face us today.

This is what staff coffees looked like this afternoon!

There’s something special about taking a moment to pause, connect, and share conversation together. Community is built in all sorts of places - the classroom, the boardroom, the kitchen, or out on the deck in the gorgeous spring sunshine we are enjoying today.

At Whitley, we value every opportunity to connect, encourage one another, learn together and of course, share a good coffee with colleagues.

Whitley staff were pleased to attend the Global Leadership Summit last week. The Full Gospel Assembly church were excellent hosts to all who gathered at their venue, and it was a privilege for our team to connect with attendees, share about study opportunities at Whitley College, and be part of meaningful conversations throughout the event.

The Summit featured inspiring speakers including John C. Maxwell, Christine Caine, Craig Groeschel and Thasunda Brown Ducket – each offering powerful insights on faith and leadership. Equally enriching were the moments between sessions, connecting with passionate church leaders from across Melbourne and gaining fresh perspectives on how to invest in our faith communities.

As John Maxwell reminded us, “What you leave IN people lasts beyond what you leave FOR people.”

It was wonderful to gather at Whitley College recently for a symposium celebrating Associate Professor Keith Dyer's life, ministry, and work.

Contributors to a forthcoming volume, Unveiling the Word, workshopped drafts and spent time with Keith – a fitting tribute to a scholar who has given so much to our college and wider church community.

Our students are awesome: learning together, building community, growing in faith, sharing their knowledge in their respective networks and church communities. It’s a joy to provide them with an environment in which they thrive.

We are also proud of our staff at Whitley, who create engaging lessons and inclusive environments for our students.

Students are surveyed for their feedback at the end of each semester unit. They are asked questions such as whether the teaching had a clear purpose which contributed to their learning (100% of respondents either Agreed or Strongly Agreed), and whether the lecturer(s) gave helpful feedback that supported their learning (35.9% Agreed, the remining 64.1% Strongly Agreed.)

These positive student unit evaluation scores are a testimony to our teachers and are at the heart of why our students recommend us to others who want to delve deeper into studying theology.

You can find out more about what we offer on our website (www.whitley.edu.au), or by coming to our Open Day on Saturday 15th November!

https://www.whitley.edu.au/whitley-college-open-day-saturday-15-november-2025/

Whitley College Open Day!

Are you curious about theology and what it means for life today? Do you want to explore your faith more deeply or sense a call to ministry, spiritual care, or further study?

Join us for Whitley College’s Open Day on Saturday 15 November, from 11.00 am to 12.45 pm, followed by a free catered lunch.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear from our academic staff and students, discover the programs and pathways we offer, and learn about the next steps for study and formation. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, explore areas you may not have considered, and see how theological study can deepen your faith, broaden your understanding, and equip you for meaningful service in today’s world.

Whitley College, 90 Albion Road, Box Hill
Saturday 15 November
11.00 am to 12.45 pm
Lunch from 12.45 pm

Please register to secure your place and assist us with catering.

We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant learning community.

REGISTER NOW: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1608472748289?aff=oddtdtcreator

Whitley College OPEN DAY! Discover how theological study can deepen your faith, broaden your understanding, and equip you for meaningful service in today’s world.

A wonderful opportunity for partnership!