Emmaus College[4] was established in February 1980 through the merger of St Thomas More's Boys College in Vermont South (1968–1979) and the all-girl Chavoin College in Burwood (1966–1979). From 1980 until 2011, Year 11–12 students were located at the Burwood Campus and Year 7–10 students at the Vermont South Campus. In 2012, Year 9 relocated to Burwood with a dedicated campus and Y9@E Program. All other year levels are now at Vermont South.[5] Since its beginnings Emmaus College has had students from Knox, Whitehorse, Yarra, Boroondara and Monash. Many students have also come from overseas as well as exchange students visiting from sister schools in Italy, Germany and Indonesia.[6]
Merger
Emmaus College, St Timothy’s Primary School and Holy Saviour Parish Primary School, all in the suburb of Vermont South, have been in talks to merge. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools director of learning and regional services Dr Mary Oski said news of the merger has been “overwhelmingly positive”. “We are excited to share that we are actively exploring the potential for a K-12 Catholic Education Hub in Vermont and Vermont South. This innovative concept would offer a seamless K-12 Catholic education for children and families currently attending St Timothy’s Primary School, Holy Saviour Parish Primary School and Emmaus Secondary College.” Oski said. Emmaus College principal Karen Jebb said: “We are excited about the prospect of offering a seamless K-12 educational journey for local families.” There are currently 50 pupils enrolled at St Timothy’s Primary School, 1392 pupils at Emmaus College and 75 from Holy Saviour.[7] The school campuses are within a two-kilometre triangle. It was not known in 2023, how the campuses would be split, or whether all three would be retained, with the plan aiming to go ahead in 2025.[8] In 2024 the plan for the future use of all campuses was unveiled. The previous Holy Saviour Parish Primary School will become the junior campus in 2025. In 2026, the year 9 campus will now reside at the previous St. Timothy's Primary School, moving away from the Burwood campus. In 2027, the Burwood campus will become a Trade and Training Program for senior students.[9]
Emmaus College has won the following EISM senior premierships.[11][12]
Premierships won prior to 1980 were done so by the pre-amalgamation schools Chavoin College and St Thomas More College.
Combined:
Athletics – 1982
Boys:
Athletics (3) – 1966, 1971, 1973
Badminton – 2017
Basketball – 2020
Cross Country (6) – 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975
Hockey (4) – 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
Soccer (4) – 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
Soccer five-a-side (2) – 2016, 2021
Softball – 2018
Swimming (3) – 1973, 1974, 1975
Tennis (2) – 2017, 2021
Girls:
Basketball (3) – 1981, 2016, 2020, 2022
Cricket Super 8 – 2021, 2022
Football – 2019
Hockey (2) – 2012, 2013
Indoor cricket (2) – 2019, 2020
Netball – 1978, 2022
Soccer – 2018
Soccer five-a-side – 2021
Softball – 2020, 2022
Tennis (3) – 1977, 2018, 2019
Emmaus Year 9 EISM Premierships
Year 9 Boys:
Basketball (2) – 2021, 2022
Football – 2011
Indoor Cricket – 2011
Indoor Soccer – 2011
Soccer – 2011
Table Tennis – 2010
Year 9 Girls:
Badminton – 2011
Basketball (2) – 2021, 2022
Cricket – 2022
Netball – 2022
Soccer – 2011, 2023
Houses
Emmaus College is divided into four houses each bearing the last name of a notable figure in the History of the Catholic Church.
Chavoin House is named after Chavoin College (1967–1979), the school on the Burwood site prior to Emmaus College. This school was named after Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, foundress of the Marist Sisters.[13]
More House is named in recognition of St. Thomas More College (1968–1979) which was the original school on the Vermont South (formerly Forest Hill) site, run by the Christian Brothers. The school was named after Thomas More (1478–1535), a legendary figure in English history.[15]
