Schoolies 2024 praised by graduates

Teenagers who have flocked to Surfers for the annual rite-of-passage give their verdict on the first weekend of Schoolies. FULL STORY

Schoolies’ opening weekend has been hailed a success by happy punters celebrating the end of their school years.

Mia, 18 and Ella, 17 from Brisbane said the experience so far had been amazing – conquering the Slingshot twice over in what the girls called an experience of a lifetime.

“It was scary but a lot of fun,” Ella said.

However, the duo said the best experience so far had been making new friends in an exciting new environment.

Mia, 18 and Ella, 17 from Brisbane at Schoolies 2024. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

“I’ve been hanging out with people outside of my friendship group which has been a lot of fun,” Mia said.

The girls said it was great to get out of their comfort zone while still feeling safe.

“All my friends so far have been sure to stick together, Red Frogs have been super helpful,” Mia said.

Ella added there was always someone around to help.

“From where we’re staying all the way to the beach there were at least three different groups of Red Frogs (volunteers) there to help if anyone needed it,” she said.

All the way from Townsville Summer Robertson, 17, Tana Cousins, 18, and Darcie Moore, 17, said so far Schoolies 2024 had been “so much fun”.

Summer Robertson, 17, Tana Cousins, 18, and Darcie Moore, 17 at Schoolies 2024. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

They booked their accommodation a year in advance in anticipation of the major week-long celebration.

“Expectations have been exceeded – it’s been amazing and there’s so much help around,” Summer said.

The girls also hailed the Red Frogs for their huge presence across the precinct.

Sianne Hay, 17, Ella Willison, 17, and Eliza Parish, 18, from the Sunshine Coast said the trio had loved the new experience of a “different environment”.

Sianne said the girls plan to have fun and make the most of the week together before they go their separate ways into the world of adulthood. After Schoolies Ella’s off to university, Eliza is off to London for work, and Sianne snagged an apprenticeship in engineering in fitter and turner machining.

Sianne Hay, 17, Ella Willison, 17, and Eliza Parish, 18, from the Sunshine Coast at Schoolies 2024. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

Queensland Ambulance Service assessed a total of 16 Schoolies within the Emergency Treatment Centre at Surfers Paradise on night two of Schoolies 2024. One patient required further transport to hospital.

Originally published as Schoolies 2024 praised by graduates