By Matthew Pearce
Rockhampton’s Emmaus College celebrated its 30th anniversary last month, but the school’s history goes back much further than that.
Emmaus Senior College was established in 1983 as a senior secondary Catholic college for Years 11 and 12.
At that time Marian College for girls in Grades 8-10, run by the Sisters of St Joseph, and St Stanislaus College for boys in Grades 8 to 10, run by the Christian Brothers, had been combined into Marian-St Stanislaus College, a co-educational school for Grades 8 to 10.
In 1993 Marian-St Stanislaus College and Emmaus College were merged into one school for Grades 8 to 12 over two campuses, with Year 7 later introduced.
Principal Eamon Hannan said the long history of the school meant many students had family connections with Emmaus.
“There are a great many of our students who have parents who attended Emmaus College, many of our staff also attended Emmaus College and we even have grandparents of students who attended either Marian or St Stanislaus College,” he said.
The college was named for the Biblical story of Road to Emmaus, where the risen Jesus appears to two of his disciples and breaks bread with them, and Mr Hannan said this foundational story is reflected in the school’s values.
“When are enrolling we talk about Walk with Us (the invitation to journey with us on the road), we encourage our students to stay with us and eat – to be fully engaged in the academic, co-curricular and spiritual elements on offer at the college, and to leave us sharing the good news with hearts burning,” he said.
Emmaus College celebrated its 30th anniversary with a dinner for past and present staff at the Frenchville Sports Club, as well as an Emmaus Day event on Thursday, 25 May, attended by special guests including Bishop Michael McCarthy and Diocese Catholic Education director Leesa Jeffcoat, past members of staff and past students of the foundational colleges.
The day also included a Mass, games and a concert, with students gathering on the school grounds to spell out ‘Emmaus 30th’.
Mr Hannon said he school’s two campuses were specialised for middle and senior schooling, with Years 7 to 9 at the Yaamba Road campus and 10 to 12 at the Main St campus.
“Our students enjoy excellent relationships with staff as we endeavour to cater to the needs of each individual student,” he said.
He said the school offered a range of student leadership opportunities including Vinnies, Earthcare and Connecting Culture Committees.
The annual Emmaus school musical has become popular over the years and this year the school will perform High School Musical, on 21 to 23 July.