Step Inside FCJ College: Connecting with Our Community

It’s been a big couple of weeks at FCJ College! With so much happening on campus and out in the wider community, there’s certainly plenty to share. Exams have kicked off for our Year 12 students and Year 11 students studying Units 3 and 4, marking an important milestone in the final stretch of the school year.

Our Class of 2026 celebrated their final day of classes with a morning of traditions and memories. Dressed up for the occasion, students enjoyed an early breakfast with their Pastoral Leaders and Principals before gathering for a final assembly, including a presentation from the Year 12s and a blessing from Father DJ. The celebrations continued with the traditional (and noisy!) final walk through the College, finishing with a group photo in front of our beautiful school. One for the memory book!

Adventure and learning went hand in hand for our VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies students, who headed to the Bright and Mount Buffalo region for an overnight camp. Students challenged themselves with abseiling at Mount Buffalo Gorge before camping overnight, then swapped climbing ropes for mountain bikes to explore the trails at Mystic Mountain in Bright. It was a fantastic opportunity to build outdoor skills, develop confidence and put their learning into practice.

After a year of learning valuable strategies through the Live4Life program to support their own mental health and wellbeing, as well as recognise and support others who may be struggling, our Year 8 cohort came together for Celebration Day at Benalla Lakeside Community Centre. Carnival-style games, face painting, ice cream and lunch made for a fun-filled day of connection and celebration.

A group of our Year 7 students visited Wangaratta Technical School to take part in the RoboDrone Ag Collaboration Challenge, exploring the role of technology in modern agriculture. Through hands-on STEM activities, students worked collaboratively to tackle challenges, develop their problem-solving skills and discover how robotics and drone technology can be applied to real-world situations.

FCJ College was proud to be part of the 150th anniversary celebration at St Joseph’s Church in Benalla. Our students warmly welcomed the congregation and participated in the Mass readings, while members of our executive team and staff joined parishioners, families and the wider community to celebrate this special milestone in the parish’s history.

Our Year 9 students headed to Bright for a Rite Journey excursion, taking on a Cloud9 Escape Room challenge and exploring the Canyon Riverside Walk. Through teamwork and stepping outside their comfort zones, students continued building confidence and strengthening connections.

We hope all our students enjoy the extended weekend and return refreshed for the final stretch of 2026. If you’re heading to the Benalla Festival, Benalla by the Lake, look out for our junior bands performing on the main stage, along with Year 12 student Emily performing her original songs as a solo artist.

As Father DJ reminded our Year 12s, “What matters is not what’s last but what lasts.” The friendships, memories, lessons and connections made at FCJ College will stay with our students long after this school year ends. Once a part of FCJ College, always a part of FCJ College.

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