Secondary School

On this page: Upcoming events | House Spirit Week | Year 12 Orientation Day | Career Focus Session - Medicine | 'Supporting the Transition to Secondary School' Information Session with Kirrilee Smout

Upcoming Events

House Spirit Week

In Week 4, we were introduced the first ever Emmaus House Spirit Week! 

We saw encouraging interactions between students through Years 7-12, in various activities such as Just Dance, Kahoots, Banner Making and the Friday finale "The Ultimate Relay". It was amazing to watch the excitement and colour grow as the week progressed. Well done to Topaz, who finished on top.

Interhouse competitions have been part of Emmaus from the beginning and in 2026 we are looking to grow House Culture across the College. Our focus is born of a core Emmaus belief that all students will belong, flourish, think, and respond. 

Our goal is that through the various House activities this year, each student will find their place in their team and build positive relationships for years to come. 

I would like to thank all the student leaders, staff leaders, students, and their families for joining this new venture. 

Here's to seeing more Green, Red, and Yellow this year. 💚❤️💛

Heather Edwards

Student Agency and House Coordinator 7-12

Year 12 Orientation Day 

It was a real gift to gather with our Year 12 students at the beginning of their final year. We began the day in praise and worship, taking time to pause before the pace of Year 12 really begins. Ben Peters, one of our Old Scholars who now serves as a teacher and youth pastor, shared with the cohort. He spoke about being secure and sacrificial, secure in who they are in Christ, and willing to give of themselves for the sake of others this year. It was a timely encouragement.

He reflected on Ephesians 2:8–10, reminding students that they are saved by grace, not by their own striving, and that they are God’s handiwork, created with purpose. In a year that can easily become focused on results and performance, it was grounding to start there.

From there, the energy shifted as they headed to Bounce. There was plenty of laughter, some impressive jumping, and enjoying one another’s company, building the kind of friendships that will carry them through the year.

We finished with lunch at The Ramsgate Hotel, sharing food and conversation. These moments matter. They create space for connection beyond the classroom and help strengthen the sense that they are in this together.

Since then, we’ve loved seeing the students continue to grow closer as a cohort. When they received their Year 12 Commemorative Jackets, they celebrated the following morning by gathering for a ‘Thursday Sunrise’ at Brighton Beach.  There is a growing sense of unity, and it has been encouraging to witness.

We are proud of the way the Year 12s have begun their final year. We look forward to walking alongside them and seeing how they continue to grow in confidence, character and faith in the months ahead.

Esther Amoy

Director Year 11/12

Allison Storey

Year 12 Coordinator

Career Focus Session - Medicine 

This year, we have introduced a new initiative, Career Focus, designed to highlight career pathways that have a strong interest among our current Year 10-12 cohort and provide more detailed information.

Today, Old Scholars Dr Lucy Heil and fifth-year medical student Ben Pruszinski shared insights into their journeys into Medicine, outlining the study strategies, subject choices and pathway options that supported their progress into the field.

Interest in pursuing a medical pathway at Emmaus continues to grow, reflected in the strong attendance of 57 students at this session.

We trust students gained valuable insights to help them make informed decisions as they prepare for their future pathways.

Tracey Medhurst

Pathways and SACE Coordinator

'Supporting the Transition to Secondary School' Information Session with Kirrilee Smout

Location: Emmaus Christian College - EPAC

Date: Tuesday 17 March 2026

Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm

You are invited to an information session on 'supporting your child with the transition to Secondary School'. The session is presented by Kirrilie Smout, Director of Developing Minds Psychology and Education.

Year 7 and Year 8 families will find this especially helpful, yet families from other year levels are encouraged to attend.

Some of the topics of the sessions are:

• Supporting parents to think about practical options (which might suit their family) for supporting their students in ways that support their autonomy and grow their independence as they attend secondary school 
• Supporting parents to have practical options about how to think about possible challenges with secondary school students, in ways that reduce their own stress as much as possible
• Supporting parents to have practical options for how to use problem-solving/collaborative conversations (including sentences which can be helpful) with young people in secondary school as they develop independence

• Supporting parents to have practical options for ‘connection strategies’ to use with their secondary school students (in ways which suit their family needs)

   

Year 11 Essential Maths Excursion to IKEA

The Year 11 Essential Maths class visited IKEA today. Their folio task involves redesigning a room in their house and producing a detailed report and scaled diagrams of the proposed design. Students enjoyed lunch at the IKEA restaurant, followed by a walk through IKEA to identify items they would like to incorporate into their designs and to be inspired by the rooms on display. 

Mr Van der Merwe

Secondary Teacher