Canterbury College says January formal date chosen to cut down stress

Parents of an up-market college south of Brisbane are questioning plans to hold the senior formal dinner in the January school holidays, before students enter Year 12. SEE ALL FORMAL PHOTOS FROM 2022

Canterbury College Year 12 students held their former at Brisbane City Hall in March this year. Image: Epicure

Parents of an up-market Logan college are questioning plans to hold the senior formal dinner before students even enter Year 12.

Canterbury College told Year 11 students next year’s formal would be on January 18 to limit study stress during the term and denied it was an attempt to control alcohol consumption.

The college wrote to parents last week informing them of the decision.

The college denied it was a move to stop absenteeism before the event or to cut back on the number of students over 18 buying alcohol.

It said Canterbury did not permit alcohol for students at any school event.

Head of Secondary School Rebecca Adamson conceded having a formal dinner the day before term 1 was a break with the past, but was the perfect way to celebrate the start of the year.

She said previously the college had found holding a formal midterm or mid-year created undue stress because of teaching and learning commitments and other calendar events.

The college said the date was not chosen because of the availability of City Hall, one of the most popular formal and events venues in southeast Queensland.

This year, Canterbury successfully held its formal at the opulent venue in March.

An email was sent to parents of Canterbury College students in year 11 about next year’s senior formal.

Mrs Adamson also dismissed claims the school was not supporting local businesses by holding the event in Brisbane.

“By the time our students have reached Year 12 they would have had their Year 10 social at The White House of Waterford or Meadowbrook Golf Club and their speech days and speech nights at the Logan Entertainment Centre,” she said.

“So it’s just great to have one really special night for them in Brisbane’s CBD, enjoying the elegance of Brisbane City Hall and experiencing some glamour with red carpet vehicle arrivals inside King George Square beside that grand building entrance with their parents and carers.

“I appreciate this may be difficult for a few of our students.”

Year 11 parents were alerted to the “exciting” change in an email sent last week, ahead of this week’s school holidays.

Under the new formal program, parents would be included at pre-dinner drinks and canapes in King George Square beforehand.

However, students’ external partners would not be invited.

Brisbane City Hall’s ballroom is one of the most popular formal venues. Picture: Brisbane City Hall

The announcement prompted a feisty conversation on Facebook.

Some claimed a January date would exclude international students, many of whom would still be out of the country.

It would also cut short holidays for some families and teachers.

College parent and Greens Party Logan convener Kirsty Petersen said the decision was “purely about appearances and exclusivity” and called for the college to hold it in Logan to support local businesses.

She questioned whether the school had listened to parents and said many had complained to her about the travel and expense of holding the event at Brisbane City Hall.

“Fancy holding a formal for Logan City students, before school starts, just so it can be at Brisbane City Hall,” she said.

“There’s no reason it can’t be held at the Logan Entertainment Centre — this is all about appearances and snobbery.

“There are some benefits to it being held during school holidays from some female students’ perspective, as it allows greater freedom of presentation and an ability to keep their expensive lashes and nails for longer than a day.

“However, most students I have spoken to prefer a date at the end of Term 3, prior to all the exams and study time commencing.

Canterbury College will hold its 2024 formal in Brisbane in January before the school year starts. Picture: Canterbury College

“There has been some unofficial feedback from staff who won’t go on the record, stating that one consideration from the school is that students tend to take a lot of time off in the lead up to the formal and this would be avoided if it was held in January before school commences.

“Parents have checked availability with Brisbane City Hall and found that other dates throughout the year are available, but the word is that Canterbury specifically requested this date.

“One of the reasons preparing and getting ready for the formal is such a time-intensive task is the Brisbane City Hall location.

King George Square and Brisbane City Hall. Picture: Epicure.

“Holding the formal at a venue in Logan would enable more efficient preparation and attendance.

“And let’s not forget how uncomfortable it will be in formal attire in King George Square in the height of summer.”

Ms Petersen said the school had also changed the timing of the Senior Soiree, traditionally held in week 2 or 3 of Term 1 and attended by parents, students and teachers and catered by Canterbury hospitality students.

She said including the Soiree into the formal would exclude siblings and external partners from watching the arrival.

A former Canterbury College student said there was uproar during her final year when the formal was moved to Term 1 and held at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

“Good to know it’s continued being sh**,” she said.