VCE students’ drugs, booze binge leads to suspensions
A top Mornington Peninsula school has taken action against a group of students for a cocaine and booze binge in the back of a limo. The Woodleigh School students indulged in the cocktail of drugs on the way to their Year 12 dinner dance.
Education
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Five VCE students at a top Mornington Peninsula school have been suspended for a week for using drugs and alcohol in limousines travelling to the Year 12 dinner.
Woodleigh School principal Jonathan Walter confirmed the party antics on August 2 as the students were travelling to Mornington Racecourse Peninsula Room for their Year 12 dinner dance. The cocktail of drugs and alcohol included cocaine.
While a number of students dobbed themselves in after questions were raised about “behavioural concerns” around the night, outsiders invited as partners to the event were also involved.
The timing could not be worse with the first VCE exam just 9 weeks away and the school conscious of balancing the need for consequences with the students completing the VCE at the $26,000 a year school.
In addition to being suspended the students will be counselled about alcohol and drug use.
Amid rumours about the behaviour, the school sent a letter to all parents on August 17, saying it was working “closely with some families following allegations of drug and alcohol use by students at the Year 12 Dinner Dance …”
Mr Walter told the Herald Sun: “A full investigation involving all of the families and students involved or impacted has now been completed and it is with very great disappointment that it resulted in the finding of five students who self-reported involvement in the use of drugs and alcohol in limousines while travelling to or from the dinner dance,” he said.
“According to our school life values, we gave time to students during the investigation to allow them to take responsibility and self report. Although disappointed, we acknowledge the maturity of the five students who took responsibility and self-reported knowing there would be consequences.”
Mr Walter, who leaves the Langwarrin South co-ed school at the end of the year to take on a job as principal at Carey Grammar, said the dinner had been held for the past 15 years without similar incident.
Students were required to sign contracts relating to behaviour on the night. These are commonplace at school formals.
“The students involved have been suspended from the school and will receive counselling support upon their return to school,” he said.
“As these students are Year 12 and are embarking on the final part of their year 12 to achieve their VCE and ATAR scores in order to pursue their future aspirations and careers, we have been mindful of finding the balance between consequences for breaches of conduct as well as providing important support and education for students relating to their health and wellbeing. The school’s absolute priority is to protect the safety and wellbeing of students, now and into the future.”
Mr Walter said “throughout the process the school has been in communication with police who have been supportive of the approaches taken”.
MORE NEWS
SCHOOL FORCES STUDENTS TO TAKE GARBAGE HOME
THE BOOKS YOUR KIDS NEED TO READ
“Parents too have been supportive of the detailed investigation and consequences which have flowed as they have been keen also to send a strong message to their children about the inappropriate nature of their behaviour. All students are aware of the strict policies surrounding illicit substances and agree to abide by our zero tolerance.”
He said as a result of the bad behaviour the school would review all elements of the Year 12 Dinner Dance for the future and speak to senior students to seek their advice as to what more they can do to support and protect them.
In addition to school counselling, they will be working with Paul Dillon, director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia DARTA, who is scheduled to come to the school.
Which unis give you best odds of finding a job?
Nine out of 10 graduates from Victorian universities are working full-time three years after finishing their studies. See which are the top-ranked institutions for higher education in Victoria.
Your guide to schools around Dandenong
As more people move to Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, the need for secondary schools in the area grows. Here’s a comprehensive guide of each school you can send your child to, including the VCE scores, subjects and public transport options.