Coronavirus has taken a sledgehammer to year 12 rites of passage, with restrictions forcing Queensland schools to rethink large graduation ceremonies this week.
More COVID-19 restrictions are due to ease across Queensland from tomorrow, allowing outdoor events to go ahead with up to 1,500 people while open-air stadiums can return to full capacity.
But most high schools have already imposed a strict cap on the number of family members who can attend graduations.
Some have decided to stagger ceremonies, or to move events outdoors or off school grounds.
Many ceremonies will also be livestreamed via the internet.
Students at North Lakes State College and Pine Rivers State High School, both north of Brisbane, were originally told parents would not be allowed to attend graduation.
The move sparked outrage, with thousands of people signing separate petitions demanding the schools reconsider.
Both schools have since found new graduation venues so some guests can attend.
No hugging, no handshaking
Boonah State High School student Alyssa Parker said she was relieved to have a graduation ceremony at all, despite not being able to celebrate with her whole family.
"I was so worried because it's one of the best moments in high school, graduating with your fellow cohort," Ms Parker said.
"2020 has been such an unpredictable year — all our schooling events have been cancelled or postponed."
Her school in Queensland's Scenic Rim has moved its graduation ceremony off-campus and students are allowed two guests each.
"Normally, I would invite my grandparents and some aunties and uncles and my siblings," Ms Parker said.
"It's a bit sad but I suppose it's being livestreamed on Facebook as well, so they'll still be able to see it.
"We have to leave straight after the event to make sure we're social distancing — no hugging, no handshaking, hopefully we can get some photos but we'll see what happens."
The Department of Education said it was up to principals to make graduation decisions appropriate for their school communities and in line with health advice.
"These are based on a range of factors, including the number of attendees and the availability or financial feasibility of venues that can accommodate guests while meeting safe operational guidelines in line with the Chief Health Officer's requirements," a department spokesperson said.
Restrictions spark new approach
The pandemic has also inspired some schools to think of innovative solutions for their traditional rites of passage.
St Paul's School on Brisbane's northern outskirts has scrapped its traditional end-of-year awards ceremony in favour of a 90-minute television special.
"But instead of just doing it online … and seeing students file across a stage getting their awards, we decided to make it a really exciting and innovative event where people will really enjoy sitting down and watching it together with their family on a Friday night," St Paul's headmaster Paul Browning said.
He said the school collaborated with a past student who now works in television production to highlight student success in a year dominated by disappointments.
"A lot of places have been lamenting the impact on Year 12 students, but I'm of the view that this year has brought tremendous opportunities … to learn resilience," Dr Browning said.
"I'm sure that when they look back and talk to their children and their grandchildren, they'll be saying to them — just like our grandparents did — 'Oh, you think you've got it tough? Look at what we did and what we achieved'."
St Paul's school captain Gracielle Manderson said she was looking forward to the chance to unwind after a year of unexpected hurdles.
"I feel like we've developed a strong sense of camaraderie — all of us Year 12s have probably got a bit closer in sharing the bad times together," she said.
"I think we've ended up having a pretty good year considering everything that's happened."
