With the HSC finishing this week, Year 12 students across the region are ready to let their hair down and celebrate. From Richmond River High, to St John’s College Woodlawn, Trinity Catholic College and Wilson’s Park Public School, students are ready to celebrate the end of school with the annual rite of passage – the school formal.  

The Lismore App looks at what restrictions are and how the schools will hold their formals.

Coronavirus restriction guidelines

Until recently, coronavirus restrictions created uncertainty about whether the school formals could take place, but the NSW Government has come to the party and will allow them to go ahead. Guidelines the schools need to follow include reduce mingling, holding dancefloors outside or in well-ventilated areas; and only allowing dancing with partners from the same local community.

Trinity Catholic College

Tonight, Trinity Catholic College students will dress up and step out of their fancy cars as they arrive at the school for the Year 12 formal – this year to be held in the school’s sports hall. 

Due to Covid restrictions, it’s not the same as the usual graduation ball held to mark the annual rite of passage.

School Principal Brother John said it was fantastic to be able to have a ceremony and present the students with their portfolios and some awards.  

“We have a Covid plan in place and there is no singing or dancing as this is a seated event,” Br John said.

“The girls are especially excited to be able to dress up and to have parents here.”

Richmond River High School

Richmond River High's formal will be held tonight, Friday, November 13, at the Lismore Workers Club.

The school formal will only see students and no parents.

Richmond River High student Ursula Bennett is going along to the formal tonight. She spoke to the Lismore App about the HSC, the future and the formal.

Read more: Richmond River High's Class of 2020 prepares for rite of passage

“Normally, we would get to invite parents and guests, and have arrivals out the front on a fancy car," Ursula said.

“But, this year, the Worker’s Club policies are for no gatherings outside the club and we can only have our class mates at the formal. 

“We are allowed to sit at tables of four people and we have to stay at that table through the night.

"The photographer will take pictures of our table – and we will probably have some dances with a socially distanced dance.”

Richmond River High student Ursula Bennett.

St John’s College Woodlawn

Tomorrow night, Saturday, November 14, Year 12 students from St John’s College at Woodlawn will head to the Lismore Turf Club with their parents to also celebrate the end of year.

School spokesperson Debbie Melino said the formal would take place in the Turf Club’s outside marquees.

“Holding it outside at the Turf Club was the way we chose so we could also have parents invited along – which the students wanted,” Ms Melino said.

Being on the grass could mean a few wardrobe considerations for the girls – who will need to consider wearing block heels so they don’t sink into the grass.

Awards and flowers handed out at the Wilson’s Park Public School graduation dinner dance.

Wilson’s Park Public School

With seven proud graduates this year, Wilson’s Park Public School Principal Helen Rea said the school’s formal is a graduation dinner dance to be held next Thursday, November 19.

“It’s an exciting celebration and a rite of passage,” Ms Rea said. “It’s a symbol of the end of an important part of the students’ lives – and also the teachers too.”

The school caters for students with a disability from pre-school to Year 12. Ms Rae said parents will be there too and would be seated in small family groups.

“We’re having it at Lismore Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah which works well for us with special access entrances into a big room and dance floor. 

“The students can dance, but there is no singing. It’s a change compared to normal, but we are excited that we can achieve something to celebrate the end of the year.”

With dinner, presentations and a cake cutting, the event also sees each student present their family with flowers to day thank you.

“We are just a small school and this year, we have two girls and five boys girls graduating,” she said. “They all excited about getting ready and both the girls ended up choosing the same dress maker and the boys have got their suits ready.

“One student is even organising a fancy car to arrive in.”

Other coronavirus guidelines for school formals ask schools to:

• ensure the capacity of the event does not exceed four square metres for each guest

• restrict tables to 10 people

• ask students to bring their own pens for yearbook signing

• follow and promote good hand hygiene practices.

• avoid mingling before and after events

• consider private transport options 

• follow existing restrictions on catering 

• restrict the number of guests at graduation events

• live-stream ceremonies for anyone not able to attend.