Secondary School

Year 7 Camp

Over three days, our Year 7 students had an amazing camp at Adare House in Victor Harbor. It was exciting to see our students step outside their comfort zones, build stronger friendships, and grow in both confidence and faith.

Students were placed into tribes and took part in a range of activities, including kayaking, water challenges, mountain biking, the Beyond Limits relay, the Flying Kiwi, brain twisters, the Cactus and the exciting End Game. 

Throughout the camp, we spoke about the difference between fear and faith. Fear can sometimes hold us back, but faith reminds us to trust God, others, and ourselves. Students were encouraged to choose faith over fear, especially when facing new or difficult challenges. 

We are very grateful to the staff who were present at the camp and supported the students with care, encouragement and dedication. 

We thank God for keeping everyone safe and for the many joyful memories created during these special three days. 

Lucia Mangos

Year 7 Coordinator

Year 12 Veta Morphus Students support Year 7s on camp

James and Savannah, our Year 12 students, took a big step in joining the Year 7 Camp as part of their Ministry Placement for Veta Morphus and to support Riley and Hannah. 

When James wasn't on the basketball court with Riley, he was rising in tandem, giving his all, and Savannah was always looking out for Hannah, pushing her wheelchair and cheering her on.

Both James and Savannah really showed their servant hearts, patience and understanding. They didn’t complain at all and took everything in their stride, truly a wonderful example of care and community in action.

Supporting these students on Year 7 Camp was also part of a Christian service component of their Cert III in Christian Ministry and Theology. 

Tracey Medhurst

Pathways and SACE Coordinator

Lucia Mangos

Year 7 Coordinator

Year 11 Retreat

Last week, our Year 11 students embarked on a retreat designed to develop independence and essential life skills in a supportive environment. 

Life is full of choices, and this camp provided students with the opportunity to practise making them for themselves without direct adult intervention and to reflect on the outcomes. 

Student participated in:

• A choice of archery tag, canoeing and the giant swing, and practical ‘life skills’ sessions such as Barista training and car maintenance workshops at Mylor Adventure Camp. We hope these practical skills will serve them well as they approach driving age.
• A special word from Mr Lee, focusing on our identity in Christ and the gifts He has given us to make a difference in this world. It was wonderful to see students engaging openly in worship and prayer together.
• A night out at the Adelaide Fringe and a surprise show by the “California Crooners.” 
• A fast-paced ‘Amazing Race’-style challenge, taking students from the bushland of Mylor to the CBD. Students tracked down the most expensive wearable item in Rundle Mall, raced to reach the highest point in the city, and searched for ‘Wally’ to earn their lunch money, capturing key moments on Polaroid cameras as evidence of their teamwork and creativity. The final challenge? making their own way back to school!

Year 11 Retreat created space for students to step outside their comfort zones, support one another, and grow in confidence and independence. It was a powerful reminder that while life presents constant choices, each one is an opportunity to grow.

Esther Amoy 

Director of 11-12

Bec Dal Santo 

Year 11 Coordinator

Year 10 Drama Excursion: Slingsby

Students and staff recently enjoyed a magical theatre excursion to the beautiful Adelaide Botanic Garden, where we experienced the enchanting performance The Childhood of the World by Slingsby Theatre Company.

Set among the trees and natural landscape, the performance offered a creative reimagining of the classic Hansel and Gretel story. 

The narrative follows two young siblings who find themselves lost in a mysterious forest filled with both danger and wonder. As they journey through this unfamiliar world, they must learn to read the signs and wisdom found in nature in order to navigate their way safely home.

The outdoor setting made the experience especially memorable, with the surrounding gardens becoming part of the storytelling itself. Students were captivated by the imaginative staging, physical theatre, and thoughtful themes about resilience, curiosity, and our connection to the natural world. 

It was a wonderful opportunity to experience high-quality Australian theatre in a truly unique setting.

Anna Briggs

Dance, Drama, and English Teacher

Rite Journey 2026 Begins

When Jesus called people with the simple words, “Follow me,” they did, and their lives were forever changed. In the same way, God continues to call young people today to lives beyond themselves. Lives shaped by meaningful work, love and service, and growing maturity, wisdom, and grace. This vision lies at the heart of The Rite Journey program at Emmaus.

In Week 5, the Calling and Departure Ceremonies, together with the Challenge Day, launched our Year 9 students into the year ahead. 

The Calling Ceremony creates a space for parents and children to look back together on childhood and recognise God’s hand in their journey so far. It was deeply moving to see families drawing close, sharing memories, praying, and reflecting on the years that have shaped these young people.

The Departure Ceremony and Challenge Day then invite students to take a symbolic step forward. Students are encouraged to begin leaving childish ways behind and to embrace the challenges of growing into mature young women and men whose lives reach beyond themselves.

Challenge Day provided plenty of moments of courage, perseverance, and teamwork. Students supported one another through a demanding series of obstacles, often while protecting water balloons and sometimes while working blindfolded. It was encouraging to see them step up for one another and experience the satisfaction of overcoming difficulties together.

The Rite Journey teachers look forward to the year ahead with great anticipation, alongside this inspiring group of Year 9 students.

Nigel Eaton

Year 9 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)

   

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