Each student faced a panel made up of a year nine student, a community member and a teacher, armed with their body of work from throughout the year.

They were required to present on at least one of their assignments and explain the requirements and steps of the task, as well as what they learned, found difficult and what they liked about completing it.

The students were also assessed on their personal presentation, interview skills, and their cover letters which outlined a bit about themselves as well as their assignments and what they have learned throughout the year.

The community members who were involved include US Marines corps major Ken Smith, Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent, business owners and employees.

“The sense of community we get is so overwhelming,” Kurri High School community liaison officer Heather Sutherland said.

This is the 16th year the school has held the program, which aims to give year 10 students a taste of the real world after school and allow them to learn more about themselves.

Ms Sutherland said Authentic Assessment allows the students to understand how school sets them up for adulthood.

“It gets them to realise the significance of the subjects at school and how you can actually relate them to real life,” she said.

Administration head teacher and Authentic Assessment coordinator Melinda Taylor said the program helps the students to understand the skills they have gained and prepares them for employment, TAFE or senior schooling.

“Really it’s about learning about themselves,” she said. “They all walk out a foot taller than when they walked in.”

Ms Taylor has been at the school since the program was introduced in 1999 and credits its success and longevity to the academic research and planning that went into it.

One hundred percent of the year 10 students participated in Authentic Assessment in 2014, and Ms Taylor said they were on track to receive the same response again this year.

“It’s quite a strong program,” she said.