Muck-ups gone mad: Motorbikes in halls, schools trashed by school-leavers gone wild
Year 12 muck-up days have spiralled from celebrations to “shameful”, with police warning school leavers after furniture was thrown from rooftops, and “pranks” flooded social media.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The muck-up day traditions that mark the end of the schooling career for Year 12 students have escalated to destructive levels this year, with one student filmed on a motorbike inside the corridors of his high school, and others tossing furniture from school roofs.
The annual events usually involve silly pranks like ‘for sale’ signs at the front of schools, uniform swaps between boys and girls and water bombing of teachers.
But this year, pranks escalated to “shameful” and somewhat dangerous levels – prompting police to issue a warning to school leavers.
In a video posted, then swiftly deleted to social media, a Katoomba High student was seen being pushed on a motorbike fitted with P-plates through the carpeted corridors of his high school.
The video then panned to show a trashed school, with desks hanging off staircases and out of windows, and books and paper strewn across hallways.
The NSW Department of Education said any bad student behaviour on muck-up day would be dealt with “promptly”.
“Finishing school is an incredible milestone, and many students want to mark this accomplishment with their family and friends as part of school organised graduation and farewell activities,” the spokesperson said.
“Any inappropriate behaviour will be addressed promptly by school staff, and police may be called should there be anti-social behaviour or property damage.”
A Katoomba High parent who had seen the video said the students involved should be “ashamed”.
“There is no reason to cause such destruction and damage. Imagine if a desk fell on a student or someone was hit with that bike,” they said.
“It’s shameful, and if this kind of behaviour is what’s going on then perhaps the whole event should be cancelled.”
One NSW business owner who wished to remain anonymous told her online Facebook community she “shuddered” in the lead up to annual muck-up day and scavenger hunts.
The golf course owner posted about the mess school leavers caused on the green saying it was “not the way young adults should behave”.
“Faeces and urine in golf cups. Stealing of golf flags, streaking on fairways and stealing golf balls in play,” she said.
“As a business owner we shudder as the end of year scavenger hunts approach.”
The scavenger hunts and muck up day pranks have flooded social media, showing videos of students running through dark streets, throwing ice cream cones at cars, piercing their own ears – and in one concerning video, running a red light.
On ‘scavenger nights’ – which are not endorsed or supported by the schools – students are split into teams and given a list of dares or activities they must complete.
The events prompted an online warning from NSW Police this week – who urged Year 12 students to “think long and hard” about participating in the events.
“We have become aware of a trend known as scavenger hunts,” the police warning read.
“The list of tasks or items in these hunts shows a number of illegal activities.
“Be aware. The choices you make now may well affect the rest of your life.”
At Epping Boys High, one student’s car was spray painted in school colours along with the words “class of 2023” – however the school has confirmed the paint job was consensual.
Meantime, one teenager was hospitalised with serious injuries on Wednesday, after a muck up day water balloon stunt went awry at Sydney’s Oakhill College.
Just after the lunch break, several students were gathered at First Farm Drive in Castle Hill to throw water balloons. During the activity a 17-year-old boy was hit by a car being driven by an 18-year-old man.
It is believed the 18-year-old driver was on his P-plates and had been swerving to dodge the water balloons prior to the incident – he was charged with causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle.
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
New Muslim candidate’s surprise response to October 7
Local pharmacist Ahmed Ouf has announced himself as an independent candidate for the historically safe federal Labor seat of Blaxland, held by education minister Jason Clare. Hear what he stands for.
‘Innocent man’ killed on way to work in ‘tragedy beyond belief’
“An innocent man” has been killed on his way to work after his car was allegedly hit by a disqualified driver speeding away from police in Sydney’s west.