At Hunter River High vice captain Lucinda Johnson wept in her speech to the year 12 adviser who had overseen and offered support to the students since they were in year eight.

Vice Captain Tom Mackenzie said while he was excited school was finally over he wondered what he would do with all his new found spare time.

"I'm worried about what to do to pass the hours all day, I've been at school for seven hours a day, five days a week for the past 13 years," he said.

But the year 12 freedom will be short lived with most now spending the school holidays studying for the Higher School Certificate exams which begin on October 20.

At Tomaree High students were farewelled by Australia's only Aboriginal ear, nose and throat specialist and former school captain Kelvin Kong. Dr Kong attended an assembly that celebrated individual achievement and recognised collective events of the student's six years of school.

He told students about his ongoing pride at being a 'Bay boy' saying it was a sense of belonging that had provided him with security, comfort and support in the transition from school boy to adult.

He referred to the Bay community as his 'mob' and encouraged students to strive for their dreams with passion and to do their best in all endevours. Twenty one students received individual awards including the Tom O'Dwyer Memorial Award for academic success which went to Jeffrey Bell, Benjamin Ogburn and Emily Beckett.

The year advisor award was received by Joshua Street, while Laura Nicholas was awarded the Caltex best all-rounder award.