The Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, has given local Year 12 students a glimmer of hope regarding this years graduation ceremonies when she announced a review of milestone events for Term 4.

Until then all high schools were forced to make alternative arrangements involving a graduation ceremony that involved their fellow students and a handful of teachers but no parents, siblings or extended family.

The positive news is that in a worst case scenario, parents would not miss out completely as all High Schools will create an on-line ceremony which will be streamed and recorded so the ceremonies can be downloaded as a keep sake.

Ian Davies Executive Principal of The Rivers Secondary College (Lismore High, Kadina High and Richmond River High) told the Lismore App "To compensate for the inability for parents to be a part of the celebrations each campus has committed to creating an online ceremony. The ceremonies will have pre-recorded speeches, musical items and of course the students themselves being awarded their 2020 portfolios."

Lismore High 2020 Captains (from front row left) Abbey Bailey, Angus Gallagher, Ella Campbell, Emily Buckner, Alyssa McDonald, (back row) Lockyer Wilson, Liam Pollack, Inanna Ihalainen and Bailey Crabtree. Photo: supplied.

HSC Trails are now complete with the HSC Exams to begin on Tuesday October 20.

In a sign of maturity beyond their years the school captains from the campuses are very appreciative that they will be recognised in some way as they complete their secondary schooling.

Ben, one of the school captains from Kadina High Campus says “considering everything that is going on I feel lucky to be able to complete the HSC in a modified structure and still have some opportunity to celebrate our graduation with my peers.”

Richmond River High 2020 captains (from left) Elijah Wraight, Will Scott-Wales, Rattana Bowyer, Joshua Bryant, George Shepherd and Tameka Devine-Davey. Photo: supplied.

Catholic Schools Office media officer Lisa Kwok confirmed that similar plans were in place at Woodlawn and Trinity College's to provide on-line streaming of the Year 12 graduation ceremonies. Details had not been finalised as this story is being written and now the regulations around milestone events may be changed for Term 4, the ceremony day may have a number of alternate options.

Hopefully, for the sake of our graduating Year 12 students the 2020 graduating ceremonies will physically include their families.

Stay tuned.