Character Education Research Partnership with Australian Catholic University

Bacchus Marsh Grammar partners with Australian Catholic University through the Neal Institute for Character Education

The School is excited to be working with Australian Catholic University (ACU) on a new research partnership focused on character education and the role it plays in supporting young people to develop empathy, resilience and sound decision-making.

This work will be undertaken through the Neal Institute for Character Education (NICE), an initiative that reflects the school’s commitment to educating the whole person.

The institute brings together researchers from ACU’s National School of Education with teachers, school leaders and students at Bacchus Marsh Grammar, creating a connection between academic research and everyday classroom practice. Character education has been part of the school’s approach for many years, reflected in classroom learning, co-curricular programs and the relationships that are a part of daily school life. Through this partnership, there is an opportunity to strengthen our understanding of this work and build on it through research and collaboration.

The program is being led by Dr Kylie Trask-Kerr and Dr Jonathon Sergeant from ACU, alongside a co-funded full-time PhD scholar who will be based at Bacchus Marsh Grammar. This model allows research to take place within the day-to-day life of the school, ensuring that insights are grounded in real experiences and can be applied in practical ways. For staff, the partnership provides access to current research and professional learning, while also contributing to a broader evidence base about how character education can be integrated into school settings.

Importantly, the work of the Neal Institute builds on what is already in place. It is not about introducing a new direction, but about strengthening existing practice and making it more visible. The institute is named in honour of Andrew Neal, the school’s former principal, who led Bacchus Marsh Grammar for almost three decades. His leadership emphasised the importance of educating the whole person and supporting young people to navigate a complex and changing world.

Through the Neal Institute for Character Education, this commitment continues. The partnership with ACU provides a framework to support this work and to contribute to wider conversations about the role of character education in schools. Bacchus Marsh Grammar looks forward to sharing insights from the institute as it develops over time.