GAWLER & District College students will kick off the local school formal season when they dress to impress and make their way to Ayers House this Friday night.

The year 12 cohort is excited to be taking a welcome break from their studies, and what has been an uncertain year, to spend an evening out together.

Gawler & District College head of senior school Angela Karatassa said the year 12 formal has been an emotional topic of conversation for students, who have patiently been waiting to see if their “greatest final-year tradition” would still be going ahead, after it was postponed in May.

“Students were ecstatic when it was confirmed the celebrations could proceed,” she said.

“As the senior staff contemplate the next five weeks of official classes prior to Term 4 exams, the year 12 students at GDC are talking gowns, hair, nails and cars; and so they should – the excitement has been refreshing and warranted.

“Seeing our year 12 students transform themselves from school children into elegant young men and women for the formal, is an occasion, as educators and mentors, we so look forward to.”

This year will see 110 Gawler & District College students and 27 staff attend the formal at Ayers House, marking students’ achievement thus far, as they head into exams.

“We hope during this celebratory evening, full of hope and joy, they take the time to reflect for a few minutes about the last 12 years, and in particular, the last five at Gawler & District College,” Ms Karatassa said.

This Friday’s formal will mark the first of many end-of-year events for the wider school community, with Kapunda High School’s and Trinity College’s year 12 formals to be held on Thursday, September 24 and Saturday, September 26, respectively.

The Xavier College Year 11 formal is earmarked for the same weekend, on Friday, September 25.