OUR STORY
“Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Emmaus Catholic Primary School opened its doors in 2008 with twenty one students enrolled. The school operated from a temporary site in a portable building in Jones Avenue on the north side of Damascus Secondary College for two years.
Journey
Over the past fourteen years Emmaus has evolved in both enrolment numbers and facilities. The Geelong Road site has seen buildings develop in stages over time including our multipurpose building we all know as 'Wayaperri', meaning 'a place to meet' in the language of the Wadawarrung people of Victoria.
OUR NAME
Emmaus Catholic Primary School takes it name from the scriptural account ‘On the Road to Emmaus’.
The story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus is one that beautifully captures all that our fledgling community represents today and into the future. In reading and reflecting upon the story you may note many similarities to our journey to date.
As the disciples walked along a dusty road to Emmaus their faith, which had been sorely challenged, was re-ignited. As they observed Jesus breaking bread they recalled how their hearts were deeply touched by this man. After they had seen Jesus the disciples immediately joined other members of the Christian community and began sharing stories of ‘the man’ whom they had come to love so deeply. Together the Disciples became the body of Christ, supporting one another as they spread his ‘good news’.
As we continue creating an educational facility of excellence that will service the people of Mt Clear, Mt Helen and Buninyong; there have been, and will continue to be times when we too have feel confused, frightened or unsure about the best course to take for the good of our children.
Resurrection
Apprehension
Revelation
Eucharist
The name“Emmaus Catholic Primary School” allows us to reflect on our own faith stories. It encourages us to reflect on how we will continue to share the story of Jesus with our children and it frees us to realise that there will always be times of uncertainty, joy, confusion or even frustration in our own time together. Like the disciples we too will walk with Jesus to create a school that is known in the Ballarat region for its care of children, its quality educational programs and its capacity to live Christian kindness in its day to day dealings with others.
In 2023 there are 350 students enrolled at Emmaus.
There are four learning areas known as:
Faith, Hope and Love
Vornda (Joy) - Foundation
Kanamo (Love) - Years 1/2
Mok - borreeyn (Peace) - Years 3/4
Nyereeka (Dance) - Years 5/6
As was the name Wayaperri, our learning area names were all selected and embraced as a sign of respect to the traditional owners of our land, the Wadawurrung people.
