Students witness ‘confronting’ vaping incident at Whitefriars College

More details have emerged of a “scary” vaping incident that left two Whitefriars College students in hospital as parents raise concerns drugs are being sold in the schoolyard.

Parents from an elite boys’ school have detailed the confronting moment two students were seen “convulsing” after suffering an adverse reaction to illegal vapes.

The Herald Sun has spoken to parents whose children attend Whitefriars College in Donvale, who say the incident that occurred at lunch time last Friday had left the school community “shocked” and “angered”.

“My son saw the whole incident, the boys were convulsing. He said it was very confronting to watch. The teachers came over to assist and their bodies were lifeless, it was very scary,” one father said.

The students were rushed to hospital, but have since recovered and have been discharged.

In a letter from principal Mark Murphy to parents and students last week, he said the two students involved presented with “very severe” symptoms after vaping.

The boys were hospitalised after ‘very severe’ symptoms from a vaping incident.

Mr Murphy said the college was investigating and the matter had been reported to Victoria Police.

The Herald Sun has been told by parents that the vapes were laced with synthetic cannabis.

The father said that drugs were rife among year 7 to 9 pupils.

“Ketamine and other drugs have been sold on school grounds. Those vapes were laced with synthetic cannabis and were sold for about $20 to the students,” he said.

“We are too fearful to send our kids to school while this is happening. Enough is enough.”

Another parent said there had been thefts on school grounds and at the local shopping centre.

“Laptops have been stolen and there have been incidents at the local shopping centre where standovers have occurred to steal mobile phones,” he said.

“I’m also really concerned about what happened to those students. These lethal devices should not be accessible on school grounds.”

There are concerns drugs are being sold on school grounds at Whitefriars College.

But other parents have defended the school, with one mother saying it was a “positive” and “supportive” environment.

Earlier this year, the Herald Sun revealed a male student collapsed at another school after inhaling drugs through a vape and was rushed to hospital.

As a result of vaping at the school, Whitefriars has implemented a range of preventive measures including senses in the toilets and educational programs.

Mr Murphy told parents that the school community needed to continue to work in partnership to educate its young men and encouraged families to engage in conversations with their sons about the dangers of the use of these types of products.
He told the Herald Sun the safety and wellbeing of every student in the school’s care was its highest priority.

“The college has clear expectations for all aspects of student behaviour and consequences which are detailed and publicly available in our wellbeing and management policies,” he said.

“The use, trafficking or presence of illicit substances is not only incredibly dangerous, but will not be tolerated.

“Any instance of this is, and will be, reported to Victoria Police, fully investigated, and dealt with in accordance with our College policies and the law.”
Mr Murphy said the college was committed to working in partnership with families to develop young men who can make good life choices, and together make the college a place where students can learn to live and grow as members of a safe and caring community.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police were investigating the alleged sale of nicotine products to minors at a business in Doncaster on May 8.

Investigations are ongoing.