Parents and students are asking schools to think outside the box following this week's ban on formals, dances, graduation ceremonies and social events due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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The ban is part of a string of measures announced on Wednesday after consultation with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, aimed at sustaining face-to-face learning in the midst of the pandemic, which lead to education department secretary Mark Scott apologising to Year 12 for the decision.
The government ban will still see schools allowed to hold an assembly for final year students "to recognise the completion of school", while parents will not be allowed on campus.
"Schools may consider delaying events until later in the year," the education department said.
Parent Steve Sass said "while health comes first", events could be designed around the current recommendations, and options including the live streaming of graduations should be looked into.
His son Josh is currently completing his final year at Bega High School, preparing for HSC exams he has studied for in a year that has been difficult for many families.
"We've all had a pretty bad year through bushfires and COVID-19, and the kids have grown up a lot through this," Mr Sass said.
"I think there's opportunities for schools to step up, because it's a big moment in time for these kids.
"I don't want our kids put in a high risk situation, but there's the ability to mitigate that risk.
"At the end of the day, the kids will probably organise something anyway, and you can't control that."
Mr Sass said there has been confusion around what is and what isn't allowed, and said the state's "one size fits all approach" is unfair for smaller regional schools in areas with no active coronavirus cases.
"The frustrating thing for me as a parent is that regional NSW is being treated the same as the city," Mr Sass said.
"I think to take the formal and graduation away from them is unfair. I get it, but I don't get it."
Mr Sass said students have not like the inconsistencies of government regulations, which has seen 15 minute assemblies held with hundreds of students until just days ago.
"On the flip side, I'm not by any means saying the schools are doing the wrong thing,' he said.
"I must commend Bega High School and their staff, because the Year 12 students have been really well looked after.
"I would just like to see schools make some considerations."
Mr Sass said the decision will also likely impact the local economy even further, with retailers and hairdressers looking at missing out on what is usually a busy time of year.
Bega High School has been contacted for information on how they will navigate the regulations.
