The year 12s have only been back at school for 20 days post lockdown and now they're saying farewell ahead of final exams, which start next week.
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The class of 2021 are the only VCE students to study through two years of the pandemic, missing out on many of the usual rites of passage.
Warrnambool College principal Dave Clift said students have "had to overcome a lot and support each other" during their VCE.
"There's a sense of celebration and congratulations, because the challenges this cohort has managed over not just one year, but now two, are significant and not everyone's made it to the finish line," Mr Clift said. "Lots of people have gone onto other (training and employment) opportunities which we celebrate as well."
He encouraged students to "soak up" a celebration day on Friday. It will include a breakfast, signing of uniforms, a school captains address and procession outside the school grounds with a guard of honour by fellow students.
"There's still a long way to go with five weeks of exams," Mr Clift said. "Exams don't dictate who they are as people but we want them to achieve their very best...The sheer fact they've got to here is evidence of just how resilient they are."
Brauer College year 12 co-ordinator Paul McFadden said he was proud of the students, especially in their final years, which were completed in uncharted and uncertain times.
"They've had two years of battling with not only all the normal expectations that a VCE kid has and all the normal socialisations that they do, but COVID-19 too," Mr McFadden said. "They've missed all the social and extra-curricular things they're supposed to do to help them grow as people and find out who they are."
Brauer's last day was on Wednesday and there's a celebration day on Thursday which includes a barbecue breakfast, video slideshow, college trivia, and activities including laser tag and a jumping castle.
King's College principal Allister Rouse congratulated the year 12s and said due to COVID-19 restrictions activities were limited and it was a "fairly non-traditional end" to a non-traditional year.
"This cohort, more than any other cohort, has endured significant periods of lockdowns, both this year and last year," Mr Rouse said. "They have remained resilient through that, they've persevered and put in their very best. We wish them well with the examination process."
Students had a pancake breakfast and dress up day on Wednesday, their last day of classes. He said the because of the time spent in remote learning this year, the school extended students face-to-face teaching time by three days.
Emmanuel College held its Valedictory on Monday and a morning tea where students signed each other's 'Class of 2021 Alumni' booklet.
Assistant principal Claire Wrigley said it was wonderful for students to reflect and share memories, particularly after a challenging two years. She said each student wrote a message onto a river stone and presented it to the peer who had been their 'rock', throughout VCE and the pandemic.
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