Following COVID restrictions, the school needed to be creative this year with technology playing a crucial role enabling parents' access to a livestream of the ceremony.

Speeches from assistant principal Damian Roff, principal Regina Menz, and captains Ellen Hawthorne and Liam Smith spoke of the resilience Year 12 has shown in the face of all the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic has produced.

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Ms Menz in expressing her reflections on 2020, touched on the school theme for the year.

"This year, yes 2020 win win, has redefined what grit and determination means for our world and for you, our graduating class". Ms Menz said.

She also expressed how well Year 12 had started the year and how quickly students settled into solid and strong study patterns.

"The way they started 2020, meant that when we went to connected learning from home, the students were well placed to take on the challenges it presented.

"The self-discipline needed by them to continue to study was enormous and they took it on with strength and courage. The way they took on the challenges that COVID presented has shaped and formed the Year 12 class they have become.

"I know personally how committed these students are to each other, to learning and to life," she said.

About going out into an increasingly uncertain world she said: "How exciting, how frightening and how challenging! Year 12 2020, I am confident that you will go on and make a difference to our world.

"Be courageous, be brave, make mistakes and dust yourself off for the next adventure. There is nothing wrong with aiming high, and failing; but there is waste in failing because you didn't try in the first place. So, dare to dream".

Slideshows with student's photographs accompanied the announcement of awards with certificates collected following the ceremony rather than the usual presentation.

Year co-ordinator Vicki Channon read the well-known Irish Blessing to complete the formal proceedings.

The remaining student body were able to watch the live stream in their pastoral classrooms as well as participate in farewelling their fellow students through a surprise guard of honour which stretched over a distance of 400m from the College Chapel to the College gates.

The significance wasn't lost that the distance was the same that another Australian who dared to dream, Cathy Freeman, who ran the same distance on that day 20 years prior to realise her goal.

Mrs Channon, who has been this Year 12's Pastoral Academic Care Co-ordinator for most of the past six years recently recognised what a challenging year 2020 has been.

"For some of you, the struggles were real and I am so proud of how you have all pulled together and through this unprecedented and most unforgettable year," Mrs Channon said.

"I hope you will look back and reflect on your time at O'Connor very fondly, where memories and friendships will remain even stronger due to the challenges faced this year."