EMMAUS COLLEGE, JIMBOOMBA

Emmaus College is a co-educational, ecumenical College formed in partnership with the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Churches; owned and administered by Brisbane Catholic Education.  Master planned as a P-12 College, Emmaus currently offers education to students in Prep to Year 11 and will extend to the full complement in 2010.  The College is located in Jimboomba, 20 minutes from Calamvale in the south west region of Brisbane.
Based on the post-resurrection scripture, the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus has provided the underlying framework for the development of the College.   Luke’s Gospel highlights the themes of hope, revelation, care, hospitality, unity and new life.  It is these Christian values that underpin daily life at Emmaus.  In all aspects, but particularly focussed on teaching and learning and the pastoral care of the community, these values provide an ongoing challenge as the community strives to Walk with Christ. 
The distinguishing feature of the College is its ecumenical nature.  From its inception there has been an emphasis on promoting equal partnership among the four participating churches.  These partnerships have combined to promote and celebrate the similarities between these Christian churches and to respectfully respond to the differences.  In doing this the College continues to endeavour to promote unity and constructive dialogue in working towards the vision of the College, Excellence in Learning within a Contemporary Christian Community.  
The basis for the ecumenical nature of the College has been forged by strong partnerships between the pastors and their worshipping communities and the school community.   Regular Pastors meetings with the College Leadership Team have fostered open and productive collaboration.  This collaboration is truly the essence of ecumenism alive in the Emmaus community.  These meetings afford all the opportunity to table relevant issues.  This may include discussing relevant theological concepts confronting the College.  Discussion is always lively and seeks to enhance common understanding and acceptance among the group.  Some key achievements of this group include:
•	the development of the College Religious Education Program;
•	the preparation of a Frequently Asked Questions document;
•	approving the version of the Lord’s Prayer to be used within the College;
•	establishing an agreed order of ecumenical worship for College liturgies;
•	preparation and approval of whole school liturgical events;
•	fostering the religious nature of the school by providing guidance and professional development for teachers; and
•	drafting a Pastoral Covenant recognising the commitment of the four participating churches.
Students at the College are privileged to learn in an environment that is based in the values of the Gospel.  The ecumenical context of the school encourages students to come to know their own faith and to grow in understanding of the broader Christian faith.  In the Early Years, students are taught about a God who has made them in His image and who draws them to be His children.  Through the Early Years and into the Primary Years students are taught about the central place of baptism, the sacrament that is common and recognised by all participating churches at Emmaus.  Students also focus their studies on Scripture, Celebration and Prayer, Beliefs and Morality.  These remain the focus for student learning as they progress through the secondary school.  Students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of religious concepts through to the senior years of schooling.  At all times an ecumenical viewpoint is emphasised in conjunction with developing a solid understanding of what makes each participating church distinctive.  Religious Education at the College always aims to bring about a practical response in the lives of the students, the community in which they live and the broader society.  This commitment to faith in action is paramount.
Living and sharing the ecumenical spirit is highlighted each year on Emmaus Day.  Students, teachers, parents, pastors and community gather together in prayer at the beginning of the day.  This is then followed by a day of fun and celebration.  Emmaus Day is a developing tradition within the College and has come to be valued as a significant date on the school calendar.  
Emmaus College continues to work towards building ecumenical co-operation in the Jimboomba community.  The College acknowledges that this is significant work and contributes to the worldwide ecumenical agenda.  The collaborative spirit that is Emmaus has allowed great progress to be made on the journey towards the unity that Christ desired.

Lisa McCormick
Assistant Principal Administration: Curriculum and Teaching
Emmaus College, Jimboomba

REFERENCES
Archdiocese of Brisbane (2007) Ecumenical Schools : A Roman Catholic Perspective.
Blaney, Brian (2007) Summary of Ecumenical Schools presented to Archbishop Bathersby and David Hutton.
Emmaus College (2006) Visioning the Future: An Education Brief for Emmaus College.
PHOTO 004.JPG No need for a caption