Ayden was among 233 students to graduate from the school on Wednesday.

Related: Photos of the 2017 Catholic College Bendigo graduation mass

He had Asperger's syndrome and had found his primary school years particularly difficult.

Ayden said that at the time he had a lot of anger issues and could struggle to understand.

“I never liked going to school back then,” he said.

His mother Roberta said at times Ayden could find school environments difficult, becoming anxious amid sudden changes. He could find learning new things tricky if there was a lot of noise around him.

“He would have a day off each week because he would be trying to keep it all in and it would give him these massive headaches. He would stay in bed all day,” she said.

Yet the tough times eased after he enrolled at Catholic College. His mother Roberta said he had thrived at the years 7-12 school.

Ayden put part of that down to the process of growing up and the lessons learnt during his time at the school.

“Teachers were always there to help me, as well,” he said.

Roberta agreed, saying teachers had been a valuable source of support, as had a strong friendship struck up with a fellow student early on during Ayden’s time at Catholic College.

Next year he hoped to continue his studies, focusing on gaming technology.

“I’ve always enjoyed games. I want to be a games programmer making products people enjoy and have fun with,” he said.

Ayden and Roberta were at Catholic College’s Graduation Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Wednesday.

The Mass celebrated the theme “Living Mercy” and included communion and prayers for the class of 2017.

Each graduating student received a mission cross representing the unique call to each to represent their faith, as well as their graduation certificate, a class of 2017 pin and a booklet on Catherine McAuley.

Next year Catholic College will change its name to Catherine McAuley College to honour the woman who founded the Sisters of Mercy.