Parents, teachers, staff and fellow classmates joined the 25 students in the club’s auditorium which was decked out in black and silver, including handmade table decorations and huge balloons festooning the ceiling.

Principal Peter Cochrane and teacher Peter Luck (on behalf of Year advisor Carolyn McMurtrie) congratulated the students on their achievements and wished them well in their future endeavours.

“Completing Year 12 is a wonderful achievement,” principal Cochrane said.

“Young adults should continue to look for magic and joy in their lives and I wish them all the best for their futures.”

Thirteen years of school has come to an end, Peter Luck said, and now is a new beginning.

“Welcome then to life – the struggles and the joys, the laughter and the tears, the friendships and the broken hearts, the success and failures - for this is life,” he said.

Retiring Year 12 captains Jaimee Cohen and Rhys Power expressed appreciation on behalf of classmates for the knowledge, guidance and support provided by their teachers as they prepared for the all important HSC exams.

“To all our families – thanks for all the support, encouragement, advice and money you have given us,” the captains said.

“Special thanks to the ladies in the front office, and particularly Merryn McIntyre for their guidance throughout our years in high school and their wonderful decorations and planning for tonight.”

The night ended with the traditional cutting of the cake, which was beautifully iced and decorated by Rhonda Hudson, and presentations to the Year 12 teachers.