Step Inside: Our Year 12 Valedictory Celebration

We gathered to farewell our Year 12 Class of 2025 with a beautiful Valedictory celebration. It began with a Mass at St Joseph’s Church, prepared by the students, which reflected their shared journey, gratitude, and the values that have shaped their time at FCJ College.

Throughout the liturgy, students placed the FCJ Characteristics—Companionship, Justice, Gentleness, Courage and Confidence—at the altar, each accompanied by reflections on how these qualities guided them through challenges, friendships and personal growth. Symbolic items added a personal touch: tea bags representing the conversations fostered over a cup of tea, a COVID mask acknowledging resilience during lockdown, and their Year 12 photo celebrating the uniqueness of their cohort and the support of their learning and pastoral leaders. We were also fortunate to have Sister Liz in attendance, accompanied by her faithful companion, dog Charlie, who stole the show by falling asleep and snoring his little head off to everyone’s delight.

Following the Mass, families, staff, and students gathered for the Valedictory Dinner—an evening filled with warmth, celebration, and laughter. Year 12 Learning Leader Mr Guy Durance opened the night with a humorous yet heartfelt reflection on the Year 12 Retreat. He recalled the “tranquil walk in nature” that quickly became “terrain that would make Bear Grylls hesitate,” guided by someone who “owned a clipboard and looked confident” but “absolutely had no idea where he was going.” From this light-hearted moment, he shared a powerful message: “You didn’t get here because someone knew the path. You got here because you kept moving—through challenges, through self-doubt, and through moments of ‘what am I doing and why am I doing it?’” He described the Class of 2025 as “unique, remarkable, unapologetically quirky, occasionally frustrating and big-hearted individuals,” reminding them that their legacy lies in everyday acts of companionship, courage and confidence.

Principal Mr Joseph Mount delivered his address by reflecting on the significance of celebrating the Class of 2025 in the College’s 125th year, acknowledging the rich legacy of the FCJ Sisters and the generations who have shaped the story of FCJ College Benalla. He introduced Our Education, the artwork commissioned for the anniversary, which captures the FCJ story through the College’s Characteristics. Drawing inspiration from the speeches of the 2025 College Captains throughout the year, Mr Mount spoke of the many “beams of love” revealed in acts of courage, resilience, humility, and connection. He reminded students that “our education is personal… an honour,” and encouraged them to trust their gifts and step confidently into the world: “With courage and confidence, you too are in for a delightful adventure.”

Throughout the evening, student vignettes captured the spirit of their journey: reflections on friendship, gratitude, growth, and the impact of kindness—including the reminder to “never undervalue the impact you can have on a student—sometimes a small gesture is all they need.” Lexi concluded the reflections with the words: “Hold on to the memories—they will hold ontoyou.”

Year 12 Pastoral Leaders, Mr Brendan Walsh and Mrs Hannah Rees, delivered their final roll call and presented students with their completion certificates and gifts. The cohort received a blessing from 2025 parent Marquerite Boyd: "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

The evening concluded with the opening of the students’ time capsules, a project that began in Year 7. Rediscovering the hopes, dreams, and mementos of their younger selves offered a poignant reminder of how much they have grown—personally, academically, and socially—and created a truly memorable final moment.

The Valedictory was a heartfelt celebration of growth, courage, companionship, and the unique journey of the Class of 2025.

As Mr Durance reminded the cohort: “You don’t need to know the whole way forward. Just take the next step. And if the person leading you looks like they don’t know where they’re going… move to the front.”

It was a fitting farewell to this spirited cohort, ready to embrace the road ahead…..Wishing you happiness and adventure for all that lies ahead.

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