Year 10 teacher Michelle Hinds said the students had completed exams during the week and would take part in a range of activities from a beach trip to school community service and preparation for their presentation evening.

What stumped everyone spoken to yesterday, though, was how to refer to such events.

Are they leavers' nights, celebrations or graduations?

In the past few years, and in light of the state's low year-12 retention rate, there has been a conscious effort to move away from the term leavers.

Education Minister Nick McKim says only 62 per cent of Tasmanians aged 15 to 64 have completed year 12 or attained a qualification at certificate II level or above.

An Education Department spokeswoman said the way to refer to the end of year 10 was a school-based decision.

Tasmanian State School Parents and Friends president Jenny Eddington said her group's position was not to refer to end of year 10 events as leavers' functions.

``It's a celebration dinner, not a leavers' dinner,'' Ms Eddington said.

``Most of the schools that I've seen anything in print from call it a celebration but I do know that some kids still refer to it as leavers.''

In October Mr McKim announced he was seeking submissions on the future provision of years 11 and 12 in regional Tasmanian schools, including extending the school leaving age from 17 to 18. Submissions close on December 24.