Our History

Celebrating 120 years of nurturing education, community growth, and enduring Christian values.

We honour our rich history and close community values while continuously striving to adapt and improve to meet the needs of a modern society, preparing our students for a bright future.

1872

Just four years after the first Lutheran families settled in the district, the Emmaus Congregation established a Lutheran Church and school at Emmaus, near Eudunda. This marked the beginning of a long tradition of Christian education in the region.

1884

As the Lutheran community continued to grow, a new church was built in Eudunda, which opened its doors on October 4th, 1884. For years, this church coexisted with the one at Emmaus, along with the original school

1904

The congregation moved fully into Eudunda, and in 1904, St John’s Lutheran School was officially established. Fourteen members of the Emmaus congregation formed a School Society, purchased land, and built the first classroom. The foundation stone of this original structure is still preserved and can be viewed in the display cupboard in the front office.

1905

Mr. W.P. Eckermann, the first teacher at St John’s, began teaching on January 30, 1905, with a salary of £7 per week. In 1907, a residence for Mr. Eckermann was built adjoining the school grounds. By 1909, the Emmaus congregation fully took over the flourishing school, where lessons on religion were conducted in German, while secular subjects were taught in English.

1917

World War I brought significant changes, as all Lutheran schools, including St John’s, were closed by an Act of Parliament in June 1917. The schools were accused of being “hot-beds of disloyalty,” which was a false claim. Most children then attended the local public school. However, in July 1925, after the Act was repealed, St John’s re-opened with an enrolment of 70 pupils under the leadership of Mr. E.E. Ziersch.

1966

The school at present belongs to the St John’s congregation, formed from the amalgamation of the Emmaus and St Paul’s congregations. After the merger, St Paul’s Church became the school’s chapel until the new St John’s Church was built. A sizeable portion of the school’s enrolment continues to come from neighbouring congregations.

1980

St John’s began participating in SAPSASA events under the leadership of Principal Trevor Waldhuter. This marked the start of a tradition of excellence in sports, with many students competing in SAPSASA events for the Barossa & Light region over the years.

1984

In 1984, St John’s celebrated its 80th Anniversary. Over these 80 years, many teachers and pupils passed through the school, each contributing to its legacy. The founders of 1904 would no doubt be proud of the fine school that stands today.

1994

Principal Julian Denholm introduced the Australian HPV Super Series (Pedal Prix) to the school. Year 6/7 students began competing in this challenging event, a tradition that continued annually, fostering teamwork and community involvement.

1995

Significant developments took place in 1995 when a new hall was built. This allowed the previous hall to be repurposed into a library and classroom. Renovations also changed the front entrance and office area, and a new administration area was established. The new hall was further beautified with stained glass windows, designed by the children and donated by several families.

2004

In 2004/2005, the school celebrated its centenary with the completion of the Centenary Lunch Shelter, providing students with a sheltered area for lunchtime seating. Around this time, the school also received funding from the Federal Government’s ‘Investing In Our Schools’ project, which enabled the installation of Interactive Whiteboards and sound field speaker systems in every classroom, along with shade sails over the sandpit and playground areas.

2007

The years 2007/2008 saw further growth, with the completion of the War Memorial building upgrade and the redevelopment of the Library Resource Centre, supported by partial funding from the Commonwealth Government Block Grant Authority.

2009

In 2009, construction began on two new classrooms, extensions to the hall, the development of a new uniform shop, and the conversion of a classroom into a purpose-built Art Room. These developments were made possible by the Federal Government’s ‘Building the Education Revolution’ initiative.

2018

2018 St John’s celebrated 25 years of involvement in the Pedal Prix. This milestone was marked with various celebrations, including a dinner with past teachers, students, and principals. The school’s commitment to Pedal Prix continued, although changes in event participation were made due to evolving circumstances.

2024

In 2024, St John’s Lutheran School proudly celebrates its 120th Anniversary. This significant milestone is a testament to the enduring legacy of education and community that the school has fostered for over a century. Throughout the year, the school will host various celebrations, including a special assembly on April 5th and a grand fair on November 23rd. The year is dedicated to reflecting on the school’s rich history and looking forward to its continued success.