Woombye State School locks primary school toilets after students trash them

Sunshine Coast parents have been outraged after a school’s solution to students trashing toilets for a TikTok trend was to lock the junior girls out of the bathrooms. One claimed a five-year-old girl had wet herself in class.

The Woombye State School. Picture Google Maps

Parents are outraged after a school’s solution to senior students trashing toilets for a TikTok trend was to lock the junior girls out of the bathrooms.

One claimed a five-year-old girl had wet herself in class and had been humiliated by the rules.

Parents from Woombye State School are disgusted by how the school has responded to older students trashing the female toilet block.

One mother said it just didn’t make sense to her.

“Why are the toilets getting locked during class time?” she asked.

“I understand some children are doing the wrong thing in the toilets during these times but I feel it’s very unacceptable locking them (out) during these times.

“Especially when I have a child who has a frequent urinating problem.

“I will be calling the school personally.”

Woombye State School locked primary school toilets after students trash them. FILE PHOTO

Another parent sais she was “personally very shocked that a public school would block access to a necessity facility and prevent kids from being able to go to the toilet or having to ask at the office first”.

“For young kids, they might not make it in time and this is extremely embarrassing and humiliating.”

Another mother confirmed the situation.

“The toilets are locked now until they find out who blocked them up,” she said.

Another parent said it was “a recipe for disaster”.

One parent said a student had even wet themselves.

“They are not allowed to leave to go to the toilet and one student has wet themselves before … disgusting act by the school to do this,” they said.

Another parent confirmed the story.

The school sent out an email to all parents.

A picture of a trashed toilet sent to parents by Woombye State School deputy principal. Picture – contributed.

“You may be aware or have heard that we have been having significant challenges with our senior girls toilets which resulted in the drastic measure of restricting access to this area on Monday as an attempt to ensure students had access to clean, usable facilities,” the email said.

“Unfortunately regardless of everything we have tried the destructive behaviour continues to escalate – I have attached a photo so that you can be aware of what is happening. As we need your assistance to try and stop it from happening again.

“We are very aware and mindful of the fact that we have students with medical conditions who need regular access to toilet facilities.

“We are also very aware that there are times when students need to access these facilities more regularly than other times.

“I can assure you that all students had access to the toilets, including an alternative toilet throughout the day when the main senior toilets were unavailable due to repairs and maintenance needing to occur.”

This follows a recent trend where Queensland schools will lock toilet blocks during class time to stop students loitering and vaping inside the cubicles, filming Tik Toks, and vandalising the facilities.

‘MY SON HAS COME HOME BUSTING’

Parents have also come forward saying their young boys were being denied access to bathrooms.

“My son has come home busting saying he hasn’t gone to the toilet all day … I don’t like children having to hold on because the toilet is locked … that can damage their bladder and cause urinary tract problems,” one parent said.

“One of the boys came home upset yesterday and said he went at lunch but needed to go shortly after again but was refused and it almost ended in disaster,” another parent said.

“My son came home last week saying he’s not allowed to go to the toilets and is holding it through class … I don’t know or understand the reason either but a child should be able to use the toilet whenever they need,” a parent said.

A Queensland Department of Education spokesman confirmed the girls toilets were being locked in a statement.

“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,” they said.

Parents complained young students were being denied access to toilets. FILE PHOTO

“For some time, standard practice for many classes has been that students at Woombye State School are required to request access to the toilets through their teacher during class time. In most cases, they are to attend the toilets in pairs for safety reasons.

“On Monday, April 29, 2024, due to ongoing toilet vandalism in the Senior Girls Toilets, the toilets were closed for repair and maintenance. During this time, other toilet facilities were available to use. During the day, the Senior Girls Toilets were unlocked at specific times to allow access but remained locked at other times for cleaning and maintenance.

“Other toilet facilities suitable for the senior girls were always available at other locations around the school. The full toilet facilities were back to full access on Tuesday morning, 30st April 2024 with no limit to access.

“Families were notified of the situation on Tuesday afternoon to clarify any misunderstandings that went home to parents.

The school has received some inquires from parents regarding the situation with overall feedback being positive and supportive as it has reduced issues of vandalism in the toilets.

“Any situation where students engage in anti-social behaviour is treated very seriously and the school will not hesitate to apply appropriate consequences to students involved in line with the school’s Student Code of Conduct.”