After 38 years at the helm of the school's wellbeing programs, the popular teacher was showered with compliments and gratitude at a special morning assembly.

Brauer College principal Jane Boyle said Mrs Burch would be fondly remembered throughout the school community.

"Everything we stand for at Brauer can be summed up in one name - Julie Burch," she said.

Mrs Boyle said 'Burchy' had played an important role in the school's history.

"She forms the fabric of Brauer College," she said. "She has always had the ambition to improve the welfare of her students and their families."

During her time at the Caramut Road secondary school, Mrs Burch is credited with establishing a wellbeing program, setting up a girls Indigenous dance group and assisting in the development of the Standing Tall and Big Life programs.

"In fact she was the first to set up wellbeing in Warrnambool schools," Mrs Boyle said.

Tributes continued when year 12 school leaders Bonnie Williamson and Horizon Moore took to the stage.

"We're blessed to have Mrs Burch," Horizon said. "Mrs Burch was always telling me I was a special kind of special."

Bonnie said: "She has saved many lives at Brauer."

"She taught us that everyone can achieve great things if they have just one person to believe in them."

Familiar terms peppered the remainder of the presentation such as belonging, self-confidence, caring, believing in me and offering guidance.

Year 12 students Alyse Schintler and Vanisre Rajasegaran then performed Josh Groban's You Raise me Up, Mrs Burch's favourite song.

Silence then greeted the celebrated chaplain as she took to the stage.

Reflecting on her teaching career that began at the school in 1980, Mrs Burch held back tears as she spoke of her ongoing goal to always bring out the best in her students.

"I worked out that I have taught more than 8000 students during my time at Brauer," she said. "That's a quarter of the population of Warrnambool."

Mrs Burch has also married 31 former students as a civil celebrant and acted as a character reference for several more.