Secondary School

On this page:  Upcoming Key Events | CSA Compass Conference Takeaways | Year 7 Museum Excursions  | Year 7-8 Catch Up | Year 10 Leadership Development Day | The Rite Journey Calling and Departures 2025 | 

Upcoming key events

Executive Student Leadership Team attend the CSA Compass Conference in Canberra last week

The Executive Student Leadership team were privileged to attend the CSA Compass Conference in Canberra. We were encouraged to “Know the Gospel, Know Culture, Translate” and inspired to bring this to our school community and beyond. 

Here are some key takeaways:

Kenez - Compass 2025 was a life-changing journey of learning and fun. Over the five days, I learned many things and met many new faces. Genesis 1:27 states that “God created man in His own image…” One lesson that I learned from Compass was to perceive people as God would perceive them in order to lead them like God leads, because ultimately, God is the greatest leader. This has shaped me and motivated me to be a leader who sees every individual’s traits and feelings. 

Ben - One takeaway from Compass was that the stories that inhibit us, shape us. Our experiences are so powerful that if we aren’t intentional about the things we are consuming, then we could fall into bad habits and sinful ways. This revealed to me that I should always be aware of what I am placing my foundation on. If it isn’t God, then it should not be my foundation. God is a firm foundation and he won’t fail. 

Charlotte - Personally, something I learnt from Compass was the importance of lament. During one of the sessions, we experienced this by hearing about tragic things happening in the world and writing a personal lament. I found it interesting that lamenting could be in a group where everyone supports one another and is vulnerable together. Learning how to deal with struggles is a really important skill as there is much hardship in the world and I am grateful for the experience.

Mikha - Playing your part. After indulging in the five-day conference, a big takeaway for me was to play my part in God’s plan. He created us with so much intent and passion, with a flame and desire to share His love and His goodness with others. We know the beginning, we know the end. We know the characters which surround us and we have the highest commanding Adviser. Knowing this, I believe that myself and those around me should really put into perspective who we are living for and how we can fulfil God’s mission for us - whatever it may be - we must strive to live for Him and not the world. And yes this takes courage and boldness, and will not be necessarily easy, but it's these challenges that distinguish us as faithful followers of Christ and leaders of the world.

Brad - At Compass, we were inspired to dream big. Our leadership team has had some really big ideas, but there has been some harsh realism surrounding these, given the limitations in the change we can make. However, throughout Compass, there was a restoration of these dreams, through faith. We have been praying for big change, and over this time we grew in our faith and excitement for what God will do in our school and beyond. 

Would you join us in praying for this: that God would continue to do a mighty work in and through our school. 

Kenez, Ben, Charlotte, Mikha and Brad

Executive Student Leadership Team

Year 7 Museum excursions

On Thursday 6 and Tuesday 11 of March, the Year 7 History classes went on an excursion to discover Australia's history at the South Australian Museum. 

The students acted as amateur archaeologists to learn about what life might have been like during Deep Time in Australia by researching artefacts and completing a journal of their findings. 

They researched a range of Indigenous Australian artefacts in the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery (the largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material in the world), and studied the fossils of Australian Megafauna, including the giant wombat-like animal Diprotodon and marsupial lion Thylacoleo. 

The students also compared Indigenous Australian artefacts with those of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Cultures Gallery (the largest collection of Pacific artefacts in Australia) to gain a richer understanding of the similarities and differences between cultures. 

A highlight of the excursion for many students was lunch at the food court! Many were also able to enjoy some of the other wonders of the South Australian Museum, including the Ancient Egypt Gallery, World Mammals Gallery, Giant Squid and Biodiversity in South Australia.

Alisha Dutschke

Secondary History Teacher

Calling all Year 7-8 Families

On behalf of Ruby Perera and Diana Brenkley, you're invited to a Year 7-8 Catch Up to hang out, make friends and have fun. Please BYO picnic blanket, chairs and food. 

Saturday 29 March

2:30pm onwards

Glenthorne Adventure Playground

If you have any questions please contact Ruby Perera on 0402 581 087

We look forward to seeing you!

Year 10 House Captain Leadership Day

On Tuesday, 11 March, the Year 10 House Captains engaged in an enriching experience designed to equip our student leaders with the skills, vision, and teamwork necessary to make a meaningful impact at Emmaus Christian College.

The day began with an insightful session on the history of Emmaus, exploring the different seasons of leadership that have shaped our school. Students reflected on the diverse leadership styles over the years, recognising that leadership looks different in every individual - and that embracing these unique strengths is key to effective leadership.

Next came an exciting Escape Room challenge, where captains were tested in a high-pressure scenario. Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving were essential as they worked together to 'Escape from Prison.' This interactive activity reinforced the importance of collaboration and strategic thinking in leadership.

After a well-earned lunch and time to connect, students participated in a visionary session, focusing on the culture of Emmaus and their role as leaders in shaping its future. They explored how to be agents of change, building a strong and united team by valuing and utilising each other’s unique strengths.

The Year 10s Leadership Development Day was a powerful reminder that leadership is not about fitting into a single mould but about using our God-given abilities to serve, inspire, and lead with confidence. 

We are excited to see how these young leaders will grow and impact our community in the year ahead.

Justin Bailey

Director 9/10

The Rite Journey: Calling and Departure 2025

The Rite Journey is a unique Year 9 subject that focuses on the transition from child to adult. Our all-wise God has not made us grow up in isolation: We need a family for support, friends to laugh with, mentors to challenge us, role models to follow, and ultimately, a community to serve as mature adults. We also need parents, and we owe so much of our lives and progress to them. 

The beginning of the Rite Journey year honours this at the Calling and Departure ceremonies. Students and parents celebrate the childhood that has been to launch into a fruitful adulthood to come. This is followed by a Challenge Day to mark the beginning of a year (and a lifetime) of challenges ahead.

I am reminded of the mission of Jesus’ forerunner who would “turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). Clearly God’s heart is towards families and the relationships children have with their parents. Clearly, he also knows what a challenge this can be at times! As our wonderful teenagers grow in independence, there is plenty of room for confusion, misunderstanding and even communication shut-down at times. That’s why it is so encouraging and inspiring to witness Year 9s and their parents speaking their hearts to each other and putting into words the things they so often feel but perhaps do not so often say.

A key part of the Calling Ceremony is writing brief sincere words of appreciation on post-it notes. Reading them has been so encouraging to me and I pray they encourage your heart too. Names have been removed to protect the innocent but your grammar mistakes are all your own ::

Parents’ notes:

• I am so proud of who you are, who you are becoming. So lucky that you’re my son. You are the best!!!
• I am so proud of the way you love others, son.
• I’m so thankful to God for making me a mum to my beautiful, faith-filled courageous daughter. Beyond grateful!!
• I am most proud of the wonderful relationship I have with you and how open we can be xx
• Thank you for being our first child and put up with imperfect parents.
• You are a surprise to us. But most importantly you are a gift from God.
• Thankful for your gentleness and kindness. I am extremely proud of you.
• You are a man of integrity, honour and wisdom. We pray you grow in your relationship with Jesus always putting him first.
• We are thankful for the strong leadership skills you have and what a good friend you are.
• I am thankful for being blessed with a son who has the biggest heart plus a hearty sense of humour!
• You are our little princess and will always be our princess. We love you!
• No matter what happens, we will hold you tight and love you forever.
• We are so grateful for your happy, content personality and how much you love your family and friends.

Students’ notes:

• I like my parents because they are nice and funny
• Thankyou for always being there for me and encouraging me
• I love that you always have time to listen, mum.
• Thankyou for a happy childhood
• Thanks for always caring dad
• I can always talk to my parents about anything
• I am grateful you drive me to my activities, make lunch and dinner for me and thank you for encouraging me to stand up for myself mum 🙂
• Thanks for raising me!
• Thankful for creating a loving family
• I’m thankful for the love and support and for giving me what I need to succeed.
• I’m thankful that I got lots of opportunities to try and do new stuff as a kid.
• I’m thankful for my mum who is the best!!!
• The late night convos with mum. The music sessions with dad.
• Thank you for never doubting or failing me. I am so grateful to call you my parents.
• I love how much you believe in me, you push me to reach my full potential.
• Thank you for chauffeuring me to all of my dance and sport trainings and always being someone I am able to talk to and lean on.
• I am thankful for being loved and cared about. Thank you.
• I’m thankful for the way you both put all of us girls before yourselves and even when you have a rough day you are still very nice. 
• Thank you for always looking out for me and loving me.

We Rite Journey teachers, feel deeply humbled and thankful to be a part of this loving community and to see first-hand God at work in your growing families. Thank you for your partnership in this wonderful task!

Nigel Eaton

Year 9 Pastoral Care Leader

The Calling Ceremony

The Departure Ceremony

Challenge Day