Hundreds of Ballarat year 12 students have celebrated their last day of classes with a hint of sadness, but excitement for the next chapter in their lives.
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Under COVID-19 restrictions, the students put bouts of remote learning behind them and dressed up to say goodbye to their school days before VCE exams start next week.
Ballarat Clarendon College students dressed up as their childhood hero to mark the traditional fun day on Wednesday.
Year 12 student Tom Jenkins, dressed up as Steve Irwin, said the day was a great opportunity to celebrate two challenging past years in the best possible way.
He said it was slightly sad to leave secondary school.
"It's starting the next chapter in your life and leaving the norm you have known for the past six years but it's exciting as well," Tom said.
Ballarat Clarendon College year 12 English teacher Jennifer McGie said the college tried to give the students as much of an end-of-school experience as possible after another year impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
She said the group of 161 students had been very positive leading up to their exams.
"They have been a strong group, impacted by COVID over two years. Most kids were saying they were concerned about themselves last year but now they are concerned about everyone. They have held a cohort," Ms McGie said.
Ballarat Clarendon College year 12 students will return to school on Thursday for a more formal day, including a breakfast with the teachers followed by a valedictory and graduation ceremony streamed to parents.
Loreto College year 12 students finished classes on Tuesday, which began with an outdoor breakfast and lunch.
The college filmed its traditional jubilee flower crowning in house groups in the Loreto Chapel in preparation for a special video graduation celebration liturgy production.
The production will be shared with all year 12's later in November, pending restrictions.
Exams begin on Wednesday, October 27, with English kicking off the three-week testing period.
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