Step Inside FCJ College: Innovation, Imagination and Inspiration

This week, FCJ College was filled with excitement as students across all year levels embraced immersive learning experiences—from medieval roleplay to robotics, murals, and music.

Time travel was on the timetable as Year 8 students journeyed back to the Middle Ages. Our Medieval Day incursion offered a full-day deep dive into life in medieval Europe. Students explored crime and punishment (complete with replica stocks!), studied weapons and armour, and designed their own heraldic shields. A highlight was the troubadour workshop, where students wrote and performed like the entertainers of old. Even some teachers joined in the fun with medieval costumes. It was an exciting, hands-on day that brought history vividly to life.

The first rehearsal for our school production, The Tempest, kicked off this week with a table read. We’re thrilled to watch this Shakespearean classic come to life over the coming months and look forward to sharing the creative journey with our community.

Year 11 Systems Engineering students have taken on the challenge of building and programming their very own dancing robots. This hands-on project brought together a powerful mix of technical skills—from CAD design and coding to circuit construction and model making. Using Arduino programmable microchips, students uploaded code to control and choreograph their robots' movements.

With Tinkercad, they designed custom components that were then 3D printed and assembled alongside motors, sensors, and pre-made chassis. Every detail required care and accuracy, as students worked to bring their designs from concept to reality.

Once assembled, the all-important task of troubleshooting began. Getting the robots to move as planned demanded critical thinking, patience, and a lot of trial and error. Students tested, refined, and reworked their designs and code, learning that engineering is as much about persistence as it is about precision.

Watching these unique creations come to life, each one with its own quirks and personality, was a real highlight. This project offered a glimpse into real-world engineering and showcased the impressive capability, creativity, and determination of our young innovators.

Our Year 9 Street Art students have been working on a colourful new mural project set to transform several undercover areas of the school. These vibrant artworks will soon brighten the canteen area and Michell Wing corridors and stairwells—keep an eye out next term for the final reveal!

Music students took to the stage with performances that reflected not only growing technical skill but also genuine passion. From song choice to collaboration, students made this showcase their own, proving that courage and confidence are just as important as chords and rhythm.

Year 9 Showcase students wrapped up their elective with an impressive final display. They proudly presented individual projects to peers, parents, and guardians, showcasing skills developed across Humanities, STEM, The Arts, and Sustainability. Building on earlier group presentations, this Expo gave students a chance to refine their public speaking and presentation skills. Unlike the initial showcase, these projects were highly individualised, highlighting each student’s unique interests and creative application of their learning.

Stay tuned for our article celebrating the fantastic 2025 Let’s Find Our Voice concert — it was a truly unforgettable event.

See you next week when we Step Inside FCJ College for an exciting week ahead, as students begin HEADSTART and dive into new and engaging classes.
A fresh chapter of learning and discovery awaits!

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