Palm Beach Currumbin High Year 12 students celebrate graduation with ocean plunge

Hundreds of Gold Coast Year 12 students have celebrated their graduation by plunging into the ocean. WATCH THE VIDEO

Hundreds of Gold Coast Year 12 students have leapt into the ocean in their uniforms to celebrate the end of school.

In joyful scenes, about 400 graduates of Palm Beach Currumbin High on the southern Gold Coast plunged into the water at Currumbin Alley on Thursday as the longest chapter of their lives so far came to an end.

There were cheers and tears at a graduation ceremony earlier in the day as the Year 12s bid farewell.

Mark and Sharon Doherty, whose son Sean was among the graduates, posted video of the celebrations on Facebook.

“Second generation of PBC done and dusted,” wrote Mr Doherty, also a PBC alumni.

Mrs Doherty posted a heartfelt tribute to their son, summing up the bittersweet feelings of many parents.

“In the blink of an eye your schooling is done,” she wrote.

Palm Beach-Currumbin High students in party mode. Picture: Supplied

The students earn a break before Schoolies kicks off. Picture: Supplied

“Great memories, friendships and hopefully some learning through the journey. We love you Sean.”

The students will have a well-earned rest before many of them head to Schoolies celebrations next month.

PBC is one of Queensland’s biggest high schools, with more than 2500 students.

It has produced a galaxy of sports stars including NRL players Darius Boyd, Ben Hannant and Tom Dearden, former Brisbane Lions and Collingwood star Dayne Beams and world surfing champs Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.