Hervey Bay High School cracks down on toilets after TikTok trend

Damage to school loos has become so bad teachers are having to guard the toilets and bathroom breaks have been limited. Watch the video

The principal of a large public high school on the Fraser Coast has been forced to take drastic action after an “alarming” social media trend emerged, resulting in vandalised bathrooms.

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Hervey Bay State High School principal Julie Learoyd shared a message to parents via Facebook on Wednesday, November 9, about students “damaging toilet facilities, filming and uploading images to social media”.

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“Funds are being redirected away from teaching and learning to fix damaged plumbing, toilet bowls, replacing doors and paper dispensers on a daily/weekly basis,” Ms Learoyd wrote.

Hervey Bay State High School Principal, Julie Learoyd.

“Likewise, there is a marked increase in the number of students who are vaping in our community.

“Accessing toilet facilities during class time may give students an opportunity to undertake this practice.”

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In response to the behaviour,students have been asked to go to the toilet before school, during breaks and on the way to class.

“More and more students are waiting to toilet during class time, stroll around the school and access water fountains,” Ms Learoyd said on Facebook.

“While they are out of class, anything can happen to them or they may get involved in activities that they shouldn’t engage in.”

Students who require to use the facilities frequently for medical reasons will be given a “pass” to leave classes quickly.

HBSHS principal Julie Learoyd shared a message to parents on Facebook on Wednesday about students “damaging toilet facilities, filming and uploading images to social media”.

If students need to go to the bathroom unexpectedly, students can ask teachers to complete the “out-of-class register” in their student diaries.

They will also be assigned a “buddy” for “safety measures”.

“Unfortunately, some students are taking advantage of these procedures and asking to access toilet facilities regularly to avoid class, walk around the school and meet up with other students,” Ms Learoyd wrote.

Teachers aides will also be stationed at some of the school’s toilets during class time to monitor students and the facilities.

An Education Department spokesperson confirmed that HBSHS had communicated with families about the “existing school procedures regarding amenity use following recent behaviour incidents”.

“These involved vandalism to the school amenities during class time as a result of a social media challenge,” they said.

“The principal has communicated these issues and measures to counteract these behaviours to the school community.

“Students and their families were also reminded of the importance of respectful behaviour and appropriate use of social media.

Hervey Bay State High School principal Julie Learoyd shared a message to parents via Facebook on Wednesday, November 9, about students “damaging toilet facilities, filming and uploading images to social media”.

“Students that have participated in the vandalism acts are being dealt with in line with the Student Code of Conduct.”

A spokesperson said students were encouraged to use breaks, and before and after school to use toilet facilities.

“Students are never denied access to a toilet and there are always toilets available for use,” a spokesperson said.

When Ms Learoyd shared her message to parents on Facebook on Wednesday, various comments emerged on the post.

“I have seen TikTok videos with kids dancing, vaping and playing around in the toilets,” one comment read.

“Those who cause the damage should pay for the costs,” another commented.

The Education Department did not confirm the social media platform was TikTok or what sort of damage had been done to the toilets.

Various comments have also since been deleted and switched off from the post on the school’s Facebook page.