Secondary School

On this page: Culture Week schedule, Pathway Planning event, Senior Art Exhibition works, Year 9 Rough Sleepout, Year 12 Retreat, Netball Knockouts Round 2 results, Olive Oil Judge visits Year 12 Chemistry Class

Preparing for Culture Week Festivities

Monday 7 - Friday 11 September (Week 8)

The Student Action Committee is very proud to announce the schedule for the 2026 Culture Week! 

Culture Day is a student-led initiative that celebrates the many cultures and backgrounds that make up our Emmaus community. 

Cultural Day Schedule

Cultural Dress Parade (F–12)

Monday 7th September

8:45 am – 9:10 am (during Home Group) 

School Oval 

Students are encouraged to come dressed in traditional cultural clothing or in the colours of their country's flag.

What's happening throughout the week (Secondary School)

The celebrations continue with a range of interactive lunchtime and Home Group activities for our Secondary students, including:

• Home Group quizzes and origami
• Basketball and Soccer Grand Finals (featuring a special half-time cultural dance performance!)
• Henna workshops
• Friday Sausage Sizzle: A BBQ fundraiser for M'lup Russey and Justees ($2 sausages and $2 cans)

Parent volunteers needed: Henna Workshops

We are looking for parent volunteers who would be willing to support our student Henna workshops!

• When: Tuesday, 8th September & Wednesday, 9th September
• Time: 12:50 pm – 1:30 pm (Lunchtime)

If you are able to volunteer, visit our website for more details about registering to volunteer. 

If you have any questions or troubles with the volunteering process feel free to contact:

eamoy@emmauscc.sa.edu.au or tmedhurst@emmauscc.sa.edu.au and they will help you out.

This celebration is proudly planned and led by the South Plympton Student Action Committee, and we are incredibly grateful for the support of our Emmaus community in bringing it to life. 

We look forward to celebrating with you all and making this year's Culture Day one to remember!

Pathway Planning Event stirred exploration and curiosity

What a wonderful time of connection and exploration at our recent Pathway Planning Event! 

Year 7-11 students and their families came together to explore future pathways through

• engaging presentations
• industry expert panels
• exhibitor stalls and
• personalised pathway planning interviews.

It's a pleasure to create an event that helps students explore their interests and abilities, and how they can use their gifts after school.

Thank you to our families, staff and exhibitors for making the evening such a success!

Tracey Medhurst

SACE and Pathways Coordinator

Year 12 Visual Art and Design Practical Exhibition 

On Friday, 31 July, the Emmaus Community celebrated the creativity and dedication of our Year 12 Visual Art and Design students at the 2026 Practical Exhibition. 

Held in our newly refurbished Art Studios, the evening showcased the high level of creativity, imagination, and skill of our students through their folios and practical work. 

We also enjoyed wonderful music from the 7-12 Chamber Ensemble also. 

It was a fantastic night. 

Mr Ben Squire

Art Key Teacher

An eye-opening and heart-expanding Rough Sleepout experience for the Year 9s

We are so proud of the Year 9s (and teachers) who braved the cold on Friday night for the 2026 Rite Journey Rough Sleepout. 

It was an eye-opening and heart-expanding experience for the students and staff as we got a little taste of sleeping on the cold, hard pavement. We heard stories about homelessness in Adelaide and the good work they do at the Westcare Baptist Centre to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness. 

A particular highlight was hearing the testimony of Don whose life was turned around by encountering the love of God through the kindness shown him at Westcare many years ago. 

The students have already raised over $19,000 that goes directly toward the Westcare Centre. 

If you would like to sponsor one of the students, you can still do so until August 15. 

Mr Nigel Eaton

Year 9 Pastoral Coordinator

Rite Journey Coordinator

Netball Knockouts Round 2 - through to the State finals!

We are so proud of the Year 9/10 Girls for playing some sensational Netball this week.

They beat Aberfoyle Park by 45 points, taking them through to the State Finals in Week 9! 

We wish you all the best!

Year 12 Retreat gives students the opportunity to step away from final-year pressures and simply be together

Our annual Year 12  Circuit Breaker Camp gave students the opportunity to step away from the pressures of their final year and simply enjoy being together. 

Despite the cold and wet weather, we embraced every challenge with enthusiasm: canoeing, cycling, crate stacking, archery, coffee walks, dressing as seniors for a trip to the local bowling club, bingo, a Price is Right quiz and a trip to see Toy Story 5. 

Alongside all of the activities, students shared in praise and worship and were challenged by Ben Peters to consider who they are becoming and the legacy they want to leave.

Allison Storey

Year 12 Pastoral Coordinator

International olive oil judge shares how scientific knowledge is applied in the industry with Year 12 Chemistry Students

Last week, Dr R. Gawel, who has been involved in olive oil judging in Australia and internationally for more than 30 years, spoke to Year 12 Chemistry students about olive oil quality, sensory assessment, taste and its potential health benefits. 

This presentation is connected to four SACE topics Year 12 students are learning about, including Monitoring the Environment, Managing Chemical Processes, Organic and Biological Chemistry and Managing Resources.

Students sampled three different olive oils and assessed the aroma and taste using the tasting wheel. 

Gawel explained how Olive oil is made and the improvements to the process as technology and scientific understanding have developed. 

Students considered how analytical techniques are used to determine the chemical composition and authenticity of olive oil, including detecting adulterated or fraudulent products. 

They can investigate:

• How advances in processing technology improve oil yield and quality,
• The organic compounds responsible for flavour, aroma and biological properties and 
• The environmental consequences of olive production, including land use, water consumption and the management of agricultural waste.

Students will now develop their own research question relating to olive oil and investigate how science has contributed to the development, understanding and sustainability of the industry.

Dr George Skouroumounis

Secondary Science Teacher

Upcoming Events

Term 3