EMMAUS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
The Emmaus Way
OUR CATHOLIC IDENTITY
At Emmaus, we warmly welcome families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our Catholic identity shapes the way we lead our lives and build relationships, guiding us to care for one another with respect and compassion. Faith is lived daily through prayer, liturgy, service, and community. Religious Education goes beyond the classroom- students are invited to explore the Catholic tradition in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and connected to both today and our rich history
OUR CHARISM
Living Our Story: The Emmaus Way Our foundational story, The Road to Emmaus, is more than a scripture passage; it is the heartbeat of our daily lives. This journey inspires us to see Christ in one another and transforms how we live, learn, and lead. We bring this story to life through five actionable charisms that define our culture: • Walk With: We journey alongside one another with compassion and presence. In our community, no one walks alone. • Teach With Heart: We nurture the whole child, bringing deep care, passion, and high expectations to everything we do. • Welcome Warmly: We create a genuine sense of belonging where every person is seen, valued, and included. • Discover God in Ordinary Moments: We find faith in the everyday—in simple actions, quiet conversations, and small acts of kindness. • Share Joy: We celebrate growth, laughter, and the simple goodness of being together. Faith in Action These charisms are more than words; they are the "Living our Story" in practice. They guide our decisions, shape our relationships, and build a culture of connection and hope. While we proudly teach and celebrate our Catholic Tradition, we are a diverse and inclusive community. We embrace families of all faiths, journeying together in a spirit of mutual respect and warmth.
RE CURRICULUM
At Emmaus, Religious Education is more than a subject; it’s a way of life. We move beyond textbooks to invite students into a contemporary, relevant, and historical exploration of the Catholic story. Our Approach to Learning We help our students become people of hope and integrity by ensuring their faith is: • Contemporary & Relevant: Connecting the Gospel to our lives. • Historical & Scriptural: Building a deep understanding of Jesus and our Catholic traditions. • Lived Out: Inspired by Laudato si’, we turn faith into action through sustainability and social justice. • An Encounter: Creating a welcoming environment where every student’s background is respected and their personal journey is nurtured. Ways We Connect We provide intentional pathways for students and families to grow together: • In the Classroom: Engaging lessons designed around the Religious Education Framework. • Through Prayer: Daily morning and afternoon prayer, plus regular Whole School and Junior and Senior-school Masses. • Through Sacraments: Comprehensive preparation programs with dedicated Family Engagement sessions. • In Community: Celebrating our identity through Feast Days and supporting others through social justice initiatives, including Project Compassion and St Vinnie’s fundraisers.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
The Sacraments of the Catholic Church are central to our faith and an important part of life at Emmaus Catholic Primary School. Throughout the seven years of primary schooling, students prepare for and celebrate three key Sacraments within our Religious Education program. We recognise that parents and carers are the first educators of their children in faith. The responsibility for a child’s faith development and sacramental life rests with the family, and we work in partnership with both families and our parish community to support each child’s spiritual growth. Each year, families participate in preparation workshops designed to make this a meaningful time for the whole family. Attendance at these sessions is an important part of the preparation process and provides opportunities for deeper conversations about faith, meaning and commitment. Reconciliation – Year 3 Year 3 students prepare for and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, receiving it for the first time through the Second Rite of the Sacrament, celebrated at school with our Parish Priest. Eucharist (Holy Communion) – Year 4 Year 4 students prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist. Together with the parish community, families and friends, students celebrate receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. Confirmation – Year 6 Year 6 students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The local Bishop is the principal celebrant, together with the Parish Priest, as students are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Our sacramental programs are prayerful, reflective and family-centred, supporting students to grow in understanding, commitment and connection within the life of the Church.
PARISH
Emmaus Catholic Primary School is part of the Sacred Heart/Emmaus Parish, which includes Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Emmaus Catholic Church. We are one of three parish primary schools, alongside Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Primary School (est. 1950) and Cana Catholic Primary School (est. 2004). Together, we form a federation united in our shared commitment to praying, working and learning together. Established in 1997, Emmaus opened with 118 students and continues to be proud of its strong partnership with our Parish. Our school and Parish work closely to nurture the faith formation of our students and community, with regular opportunities for students to celebrate Mass and connect with fellow parishioners.
SCHOOL MASSES
We are incredibly fortunate to be located right next door to our parish church, allowing for a seamless connection between our school and the wider faith community. Fortnightly Mass Every second Friday at 2:00 pm, we gather as a community for Mass. These celebrations are a highlight of our school fortnight and alternate between: • Whole School Masses: Where our entire community comes together in prayer and song. • Junior & Senior School Masses: Tailored specifically to the age and developmental stages of our students. Student Leadership in Prayer Our Masses are deeply participatory. Each celebration is prepared by a different year level, providing students with the leadership opportunity to read Scripture and lead the community in the Prayers of the Faithful. By taking an active role in these celebrations, our students develop a sense of ownership over their spiritual lives and grow in confidence as leaders of our faith community.
