According to federal government data,87.2 per cent of teenagers aged 16 to 19 in NSW have been double-jabbed. Unvaccinated students have been able to attend classes – as well as complete their HSC exams – alongside vaccinated peers since returning to in-person learning in October.
“The HSC students of 2021 have had an incredibly tough 18 months,including substantial time without face-to-face teaching,and missing out on seeing friends and family,” Mr Hazzard said.
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“They deserve to be able to party with their friends and enjoy one of the biggest celebrations of their life.”
Many schools had booked formals for early December,when the plan was to ease restrictions for unvaccinated residents from December 1. However,that date has since been pushed to December 15,leaving some schools in the position of potentially needing to exclude some students due to rules about entering function centres.
Unvaccinated parents of students are blocked from attending festivities,and students must present a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. The rule change will only apply to events organised by the school.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the exemption gives year 12 students the chance to celebrate with each other at the end of an “incredibly turbulent year”.