‘Abhorrent’: Sunshine Coast high school toilet crackdown amid vaping concerns

A Sunshine Coast high school is under fire for reportedly locking toilets and introducing “set opening hours”, triggering complaints from outraged parents. See what parents say the school is doing and what the school’s reason for its move is.

A Sunshine Coast high school has come under fire for locking toilets and introducing “set opening hours”, triggering complaints from outraged parents.

Parents and a student at Sunshine Beach State High School have taken to social media labelling the new toilet policy as “disgusting” and “abhorrent”.

The Queensland Department of Education confirmed the high school had decided to “limit” the number of toilet blocks available due to a “growing trend of vandalism”.

The student claimed that the cohort of about 1500 students only had access to six stalls which are all “inconveniently located”.

“Ten minutes between classes to use this one bathroom, then being punished for being late to class, the senior bathroom is now always locked,” the post read.

A department spokesman confirmed the school had decided to limit the toilets that are open before school and during class from this week until the end of Term 3 (12 days away)”.

“Students have access to two toilet blocks (not one) during class time and six toilet blocks during break times,” the spokesman said.

“One block of toilets is currently closed long term for repairs due to damage.”

The spokesman said students are “never denied access to a toilet”.

“There are always toilets available for use.”

Parents of former students have since commented on the post labelling the policy as “abhorrent”.

“Denying a pupil adequate access to ablution is abhorrent,” a comment read.

“Refusing to allow a child to go to the bathroom is denying them their physical needs and creates the potential for embarrassment or emotional trauma.”

Another woman commented that she believed the crackdown is “trying to combat” vaping concerns at the school.

The department said individual schools are “best placed” to make decisions about the use and control of their facilities.

“Any parent or caregiver with concerns is encouraged to contact the principal.”

The Courier-Mail understands complaints have been made to the school directly and to the office of Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.