IT WAS ‘pencils down’ yesterday as Year 12 students at Swan Hill College and St Mary MacKillop enjoyed their final day of traditional classes and the end of 13 years of school education.
While both schools held organised activities to mark the final day — such as breakfasts, assemblies and a mass — students also found their own ways to release the emotional tension.
The scattered debris of silly string and water balloons littered some parts of the St Mary MacKillop campus and innocuous rubber spiders could be seen lurking in a few corners.
At Swan Hill College home-made signs promoting the ‘the class of twenty 12’ could be seen at every corner, apparently taped there by early rising students.
Outside the Year 12 common room a group of yellow bins had been arranged to create a fluro-coloured version of Stonehenge.
But it was all in good fun, and St Mary MacKillop captain Leah McDonald said the vibe amongst the year level was not anarchic, but bittersweet.
“It’s a bit surreal — we’ve been in school most of our lives,” she said.
That fact was not lost on Swan Hill College Year 12 student Shannon Reilly who said she was eagerly awaiting the conclusion of her school education.
“I can’t wait to start university,” Shannon said.
“But it is an emotional time now — we’re never going to see some of these people again.”
And while yesterday was a celebration of the student’s time at school, this coming Monday marks the beginning of their stressful final-exam period.
Kids Helpline general manager Wendy Protheroe said the best thing students needed during this time was support.
“The best thing parents or carers can do if their child is experiencing exam stress is to try to be as supportive and patient as possible,” she said.
“Reassure them that there are other important things in life too and this is only part of the story.
“Let your teen know you will help them no matter what and, although naturally you want them to do well, whatever their results you will always love and support them.”
Over the past five years, more than 5000 children and young people have contacted Kids Helpline about study issues.
“Stress is a natural response to pressure and a small amount of pressure can be useful to keep young people focused during exam time,” Ms Protheroe said.
