NSW Year 12s are Cheering ‘Cos Their Graduations and Formals Are Going Ahead

Get yo’ outfits ready.

The graduating class of 2020 has had it pretty hard this year thanks to COVID. Not only were they forced to study online but they were faced with the threat of no graduation ceremony, formal or celebration of any kind to finish up their studies.

Well it seems like students in NSW have been counting their lucky stars because the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that Year 12 students all over the state will get their formals and graduations despite the pandemic.

"Every school community across the state will be able to have a formal, they will be able to have a graduation ceremony," she said.

Once students have finished up their exams, following November 12, celebrations will go ahead in Term Four.

More than 25,000 parents and students signed a petition in August requesting the NSW Government revoke its previous ban on Year 12 formals and graduations, claiming that it was ‘unreasonable’ and ‘unfair’.

Many parents argued that it was unfair to allow 150 people at a wedding while school formals couldn’t go ahead.

While they may not look exactly the same as in previous years, due to safety measures, Sydney students will have something to look forward to.

The guidelines and measures for these events have not yet bet set but seeing as these events are a one-off, always alcohol-free and students already spend a lot of time within close-proximity of each other, concerns about the virus are low.

NSW Chief Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that while some concessions may be made about contact, Year 12 students worked extremely hard this year and deserved the celebration.

"Clearly given this is a one-off event and our students have worked incredibly hard during this difficult year there will be opportunities to consider how we can conduct dancing safely," Dr Chant said.

There is no news on any schoolies events in NSW but the official schoolies week events in QLD have been cancelled as of late last month.

Now that you’ve heard the good news, you’ve only got two months left to sort out your suit or gown, so it’s time to get on it!