Step Inside FCJ College: Celebrating Achievements and New Beginnings

It has been a wonderful first full week back at FCJ College, with many activities already underway across the school.

Our Year 7 students have been busy settling into their new classes and surrounds. It has been fantastic to see them growing in confidence as they learn the routines of secondary school life. We can’t wait to share the exciting things they are diving into — including trips to the Benalla Aquatic Centre as they prepare for our upcoming Swimming Carnival on 17th February.

This week, our newest students attended their first full school assembly as we came together for our annual Dux Assembly. Gathering as a whole school community in our 126th year, we also introduced our 2026 theme, Gentleness — a value that will guide our interactions and actions throughout the year.

During the assembly, we proudly celebrated academic excellence, acknowledging the highest-achieving students in each Unit 3/4 VCE and VET subject from 2025 — a tremendous accomplishment and an inspiration for those following in their footsteps. We also awarded the Phillip Scriven Scholarships. Congratulations to these students! We are so fortunate to have the support of the Scriven family, who honour Phillip’s legacy while recognising the unique talents and contributions students make to FCJ College.

Our 2025 School Captain and Dux, Sophie Hammond, addressed her peers for the last time, sharing heartfelt words of wisdom. She encouraged students to “Be kind. To others and to yourself. Ask for help if you need it. Who you are as a person matters the most.” She also reminded students to seek support, work hard toward their goals, and find balance while enjoying school life and friendships. Thank you, Sophie, for your inspiring words and leadership.

It was lovely to reconnect with so many of our graduates and hear about their pathways this year — from university plans to gap year adventures and those already stepping into the workforce. Congratulations to all award recipients. Remember, you will always have a home within our FCJ community.

In the classrooms, learning is already in full swing. Our Year 9 Media students are exploring depth of field and manual camera settings to achieve creative effects — we look forward to watching their skills develop. Meanwhile, our VCE VET Community Services class generously prepared children’s storybooks for our Philippines Immersion Trip, placing FCJ stickers inside to be gifted to young children in Malbago Village. These books will be personally hand-delivered by our Philippines Immersion Trip students when they visit the village later this year — a truly heartwarming initiative that reflects the spirit of service within our community.

Wishing everyone a restful weekend — especially our Year 7s, who head off to camp next week.

Here’s to a wonderful term ahead, guided by our theme of Gentleness. As our Principal, Mr Mount, referred to fierce gentleness — a quality which helps us to keep a calm spirit, a peaceful heart and control in our own words and gestures. Gentleness keeps our heart always within the boundaries of justice, reason and love.

A calm spirit. A peaceful heart.

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