Step Inside FCJ College: A Heartfelt Finale to 2025

As the 2025 school year draws to a close, our campus has been filled with celebration, reflection and many memorable moments.

On Tuesday, we welcomed our 2026 Year 7 students for their full Orientation Day. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and we cannot wait to officially welcome them into the FCJ College community next year.

Thursday also brought another milestone with the release of VCE results. We are incredibly proud to announce Sophie Hammond as our Dux, Caitlin Crowe as Runner-Up Dux, and Chloe Jacobs as our VCE Vocational Major Dux. We congratulate all our Year 12 students on the pathways they are now stepping into—FCJ College is behind you, cheering you on always.

Today, students celebrated their final day of the school year with a range of fun cohort-based activities. From swimming at the Benalla Aquatic Centre to class parties, special lunches and Christmas activities, it was a well-deserved day of joy and connection—perfectly wrapping up our 2025 theme of Companionship.

Farewelling Mrs Catherine Burton — A Once-in-a-Generation Educator

One of the most significant moments of the entire week—and indeed of the entire year—was our Final Mass on Thursday, made especially meaningful as we gathered to farewell a truly extraordinary woman: Mrs Catherine Burton, retiring after an incredible 45 years of teaching at FCJ College.

The celebration captured everything we love about Cath: joy, music, humour and heart. The surprises began with a whole-school performance of All I Want for Christmas—led by Cath herself, complete with instructions to “channel your inner Mariah!” Students were then treated to a surprise visit from Santa, also organised by Mrs Burton.

But the most moving moment came when the entire school community—500 voices strong—rose to sing her favourite song, Stand By Me. It was a powerful expression of love, gratitude and admiration for a woman who has shaped countless lives through her passion, kindness and dedication.

The tributes didn’t end there. As a final surprise for the year, her beloved Year8 cohort gathered to sing You’ve Got a Friend in Me—a touching reminder of just how deeply she is admired and how profoundly she has influenced the students of FCJ College. Their voices and smiles were a final message of affection to a teacher who has been a friend, mentor and guiding light to so many.

Cath has been the heart and soul of our music program for decades, and it is difficult to imagine FCJ College without her daily presence. However, we are delighted to share that she will return in 2026 to continue her beloved Let’s Find Our Voice program with our incoming Year 7s, our wonderful community participants and her beautiful Tuesday Singing group. Her legacy continues.

We leave you with Mrs Burton’s heartfelt words from her farewell speech—wisdom shaped by teaching literally thousands of young people over 45 years.

She reminded students that adolescence, in many ways, is a wonderful time—a time for developing independence, working out what is important to you. It’s a time to make and enjoy great friends, a time to develop your strengths and values. But she also acknowledged that it can be really tricky. Emotions run high, some days feel overwhelming, and “one bad thing” can make a whole day seem terrible. She reassured students that this is normal, and that almost certainly, tomorrow will be better, reminding them that everyone has days that go up and down.

With her signature humour, Cath reflected on some of the “DON’Ts” she has taught over the years:
Don’t bring chewing gum to school, don’t wear jewellery, don’t look messy and—where are they?—DONT touch the fire hydrants! She reminded students about essay rules, music timing, inclusiveness, kindness and gratitude.

But then she paused and offered the message she hopes students will carry for life:

“I wouldn’t mind if you forgot just about all of that, as long as you remember this:
If you’re feeling sad and you can’t shake it, talk to your teachers because they truly care about you.
Talk to your parents because they love you.
Talk to your friends because they can’t do without you.”

Her closing words captured the heart of her legacy:
“Try your best, be yourself and look after each other. I can’t thank you enough.”

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