Covid NSW: How schools will celebrate safe school formals in Sydney

It’s a rite-of-passage for students - glam frocks, sharp suits, limousines and now masks and sanitiser. The show will go on for schools hosting Covid-cautious formals but with some very big changes.

After a gruelling three months of home schooling and studying for the HSC, students across Sydney are ready to let their hair down and pull their masks on for Covid-safe school formal celebrations, even if many are “over it”.

In September, the State Government gave permission to get the party started but not until exams are done and dusted on November 29.

Under the guidelines, the government restricts partners from outside the school attending and allows tables of 10 people so the 4sq m rule isn’t broken.

After-parties are discouraged and live streaming the event is encouraged if students cannot attend.

“We want to ensure that this years’ HSC runs smoothly and we have already advised schools not to consider planning events before the end of the HSC,’’ a NSW Education Department spokeswoman said.

“We recognise that school formals are important events for students.

“All our events will be conducted consistent with the health guidance for Covid-safe events including whether masks are required, venue capacity limits and dancefloors.” 

A Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta spokeswoman said its schools will not host formals until after December 3.

“Each of these events will be required to have a Covid-safe plan specifically for the occasion,’’ the spokeswoman said.

School formals can get the green light after December 3.

“Once it is possible to hold these celebrations, all relevant guidelines will be followed including those relating to gatherings, mask-wearing and dancing.

“All relevant rules and restrictions around hygiene practices, physical distancing, cleaning and record-keeping practices will be followed.’’

Schools will also turn to Covid advice from the venues where their shindigs will be hosted and follow rules on capacity and hand sanitisers.

At Castle Hill High School, 270 Year 12 students will celebrate their formal at Oatlands House on December 8, when masks will be mandatory.

Acting principal Jeff Bruce admits some of the face coverings might chip away at the glamour but students were still excited.

“I think they’re all very happy to have a formal and it looked for a while that we wouldn’t be able to do anything and it’s such an important part of their rites of passage and to be able to celebrate with their classmates at the end of the year,’’ he said.

“Normally we would have run it before the HSC exam but in a way it’s not a bad thing because the pressure of the HSC would have finished by then and they can actually have a celebration without that hanging over their heads.

“The fact that they can dance is great. That would have been a real negative if they had to sit down at the tables all night.’’

Castle Hill High co-captain Joel Tedesco believes Covid made a lot of his peers blase about the school formal after mental fatigue.

“I don’t really hang out with people who were super-hyped about it in the beginning,’’ he said.

Unlike last year’s celebrations, masks may be mandatory this year. Picture: Monique Harmer

“All the excitement around these events has really, really dulled down to those people who have kind of been dreaming about it since primary school.

“It’s not usually that fairytale experience that people think it is.’’

He said peers had mentally said goodbye to each other well into home schooling.

“When we started working from home and we saw (lockdown) was getting extended and extended, I’d actually say a month ago people started realising we’re not going to go back to school with all our friends so I think we all just mentally moved on,’’ he said.

“A lot of people seem to have matured out of high school. They’re ready to just move on with life because it’s just been dragged on for so long.’’

Nonetheless, Joel will have his blue suit pressed and ready to go as a final formal farewell to his mates and staff.

“I’m more so going to see my teachers again because there’s a whole lot of teachers that I haven’t been able to see, and that’s kind of my chance to say goodbye to them,’’ he said.

“I was considering not going to the formal because it seemed so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things when we’re facing all these changes and crazy, crazy stuff but now that everything’s kind of settled down, I do want to go and I feel I do owe it to the school to be there.’’

Fellow captain Ellen Dickinson is “super excited” about the event.

“The talk of senior formal has been in discussion since I was in Year 7,’’ she said.

“It was unfortunate that it had to be pushed back but I feel in some ways I don't have to feel guilty about not studying for the HSC.’’

The 17 year old has her navy and gold floral dress ready and has been exchanging photos with her peers to ensure there are no identical outfits.

Caringbah High School will carry on its tradition for the Year 10 formal at Doltone House, at Sylvania Waters, on December 6 while Year 12 students will organise their own end-of-year bash.

“I’d imagine by then a lot of restrictions would have been reduced,’’ principal Alan Maclean said.

“The kids get very excited, of course. They want to get dressed up and hair done and all that.’’

He said the Year 10 party was a throwback when many left school but students were determined to keep it, Covid or not.

“Restrictions won’t bother them,’’ he said.

“I think by then, December 6, chances are there will be no restrictions left unless we have Covid cases in the meantime.

“All the kids are wearing masks outside, even though they don’t have to. It’s the new reality and the kids are just thrilled to be back at school and with their teachers and their friends.

“I think the formal’s the same thing, it’s a right of passage, it’s a good time — it’s exciting for them and they’re looking forward to it.’’

At Campbelltown all-girls school St Patrick’s College, students will have a formal at Menangle Country Club but will have to compromise and are not permitted to bring partners in order to stick to capacity restrictions.

“Some of them are fine with it, actually,’’ principal Sue Lennox said.

“There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of energy around them to be honest.

“It’s not like it has been in years gone past. They’re grateful because a lot of schools have cancelled their formal so they’re really quite appreciative they still have one.

“I think they just can’t wait for it to be all over. They’re just over it.’’

Like many schools, St Patrick’s had experience negotiating around Covid rules last year when their graduation celebrations were hosted in two shifts at The Cube, Campbelltown.

This year, students and their families will attend a Mass and graduation dinner after the formal.

At the Hills Grammar School in Kenthurst, a pivot was in order and the formal date switched from before the HSC to afterwards in December for 60 students.

“We wanted to keep it away from the madness of things but the kids are still looking forward to it,’’ a spokeswoman said.

The co-ed school has learned to be flexible and will implement Covid-safe measures as they emerge.

“It’s definitely touch and go. Our poor events manager is used to working on the fly now.’’

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