There were tears and jubilation at the gates of schools across the Illawarra on Wednesday as the bell rang at the end of classes for 2014.
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At Wollongong Public School, younger students lined the path leading out of the school as graduating year 6 students exited for the final time.
It was bitter-sweet - but mostly bitter - for tearful Mary Ma, who is worried about going to high school next year.
"I don't like high school," she said.
"They seem strict there."
Year 2 twins Fang Fang and Yuan Yuan Guo kept dry eyes as they bid fond farewell to teacher Anna Stevenson for another year. It was too early to think about holiday frivolities.
"I'll [miss] my teacher and my classmates," said Fang Fang.
Classes resume at the state's public schools on January 28 for some students, and January 29 for others.
School zones remain in place for Thursday and Friday to accommodate schools where classes have not yet finished for the year.
