Students have mixed feelings about returning to school.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today senior students in Level 3 areas will return from next Tuesday to complete NCEA exams.

Papatoetoe High School head boy Flo Akauola told Andrew Dickens the change is overwhelming.

He says some students are looking forward to seeing their peers and having face-to-face learning, but others aren't so sure.

“On the other hand, there’s also people who feel that these are happening quite fast because it was quite unexpected, and also just worries about the rest of the transmission within the community.”

Akauola says the unexpected events grade, which students in Auckland, Waikato and Northland will receive can't attend exams, is helpful.

Where students do attend the exams, they'll receive the better of their exam or unexpected event grade.

"There's quite a few worries about whether exams can even go forward and how that will look like, but I think it definitely just helps to take off some of that pressure."

LISTEN ABOVE