DRESSED to impress, Hunter School of the Performing Arts year 12 graduates flocked to Civic Park to mark the end of an era.
It was a well-deserved start to celebrations following a month of gruelling HSC exams and the perfect way to farewell 13 years of schooling.
Snapping a picture with family and friends, the school leavers grinned for the cameras before heading to the Town Hall for their formal event on Monday, November 11.
Formal organiser Darian Lucas, wearing a silky red dress and gold heels, said it took her three hours to get ready for the evening.
"I bought my dress from a Sydney boutique back in February, so I've been preparing for the night for a while. I'm looking forward to celebrating the night that I've been organising for a few months now," she said.
She said she was excited to party with her friends and farewell the HSC era.
"It feels so great. I feel like a bunch of opportunities have just opened up for me with the stress of school lifted from my shoulders," she said.
Darian has plans to take a gap year and work as an assistant in nursing and eventually study to become a registered nurse.
Nyah Chapman was wearing a pink gown with silver sequins that she had purchased for $30 from an op shop in the City Arcade.
"I was just looking around, randomly shopping and came across it," she said.
It took her four hours to glam up for the evening after her hair stylist cancelled on her.
"I had to do the whole thing myself," she said.
She said she was happy school was done and was excited to see what life brings.
"I'm probably gonna take a gap year, I did end up getting early entry to a uni, but I decided not to take it because I want to travel next year," she said.
"I think I will do a teacher's degree eventually and teach in a rural area with primary kids," she said.
Cardiff High School also held its year 12 formal with snaps at Customs House before celebrating at Merewether Surf House.
