The background of all this, for the uninitiated, is that most youngsters stay at school for 13 years or more and (in some states) finish with a gruelling final public examination. As new adults of 'barely 18', with new driving licences, only just legally permitted to drink alcohol, they are ready to party.
These kids are like stones out of a sling-shot as they head for warm weather and good surf, and a week or so of a casual lifestyle in well-advertised places such as the Gold Coast (Surfer's Paradise) in Queensland or, more recently, Bali and other island destination.
Summer, Sun, Adventure, Holiday, Release = trouble for many?
Last year, Schoolies week saw untimely accidental deaths, many young people arrested and in the watch-house, mostly for their own safety and heath care. The widow of Australian icon of country music, Slim Dusty told of a group of young Australians arriving in a country town for a concert for Schoolies Week. Their boisterousness, saw them put into jail by the local constabulary, and they had to do some swift talking to enable them to be released on the night of the concert. (www.abc.net.au)
This illustrates the Australian 'larrikinism', which acknowledges that young people have liked to let their hair down.
Over the past 20 years or so, discount air fares have become cheaper and cheaper. Along with heavy marketing of package holidays with accommodation included – sometimes directly to the schools – there are stories handed down by older siblings and friends of the good times they had at their own 'schoolies week'.
However, these are still young people, often unsupervised, who are not experienced in controlling their drinking and not at all interested in controlling their social behaviour. In many cases this is a recipe for disaster as they become a public nuisance and a danger to themselves and others.
The more serious accidents are reported nationwide, where normal exuberance has been exacerbated by alcohol and group behaviour. Last year a schoolie fell to his death from the balcony of a multi-storey building during a party; this year a young lad was electrocuted in Bali, negotiating an unsafe building site while walking (with friends back to their hotel).
Then there are the car accidents and swimming accidents that cannot be attributed to 'schoolies', but one cannot help but think that inexperienced driving, alcohol and swimming on unfamiliar beaches may contribute.
Toolies are a huge issue
Parents, always worried sick when their school-leavers take the car anywhere or go out with their friends, are even more concerned when they read the media around this time of year, when story after story of bad behaviour and worse is reported. They read of young people collapsing because of binge drinking (on top of exhaustion due to final exams) and sometimes of criminal activity, in popular schoolies' destinations.
'Toolies' too have become a huge problem. This is an Aussie-style nickname given to those who are not school leavers, but who take advantage of the entertainment provided at these venues, who are maybe just looking for cheap thrills at the expense of the inexperienced youngsters – whether it be sex, booze, drugs, or general trouble-making.
Last week Police raided Western Australia's Rottnest Island's Schoolies function and expelled a bunch of so called 'Toolies'.
Back at the always-popular Gold Coast, because of all the bad publicity and anger by local residents over the past ten years or so, there is now better policing and more restrictions on public alcohol consumption. This, however, puts more onus and responsibility onto the police and local residents.
Gold Coast Police were run ragged at last year's Schoolies, as are police in every popular or well-marketed Schoolies location. With rampant destruction, drinking binges, serious injury and deaths, the nation is fed up.
Protecting your young people
What can parents do to protect their kids? And how many new adults will listen to their parents? The devastated mother and father of the boy electrocuted in Bali did not want him to go there – but in the end, he persuaded them that he was sensible and could be trusted. In his case, it was a true accident and seemingly nothing to do with any bad behaviour on his part; but just different standards and fewer regulations about building sites and temporary electricity supplies
Traditionally, parents who could afford it arranged alternatives to group holidays. The 'Grand Tour' of Europe was once popular with wealthy Australians, usually with the youngster (perhaps with a friend in tow) under supervision of a relative or chaperone. Today, with discount fares and tourist visas available in some other countries, the kids go off on their own, maybe with one or two friends, or maybe backpacking for a whole 'gap' year. Is it any 'safer'?
Parents can't stop them, but at least these youngsters need to plan their trip carefully, perhaps working during the previous year to save up, and they are not going just to drink and misbehave. The parents hope these kids are furthering their experiences and education.
Good options
There have always been other cheaper options for parents who are unwilling to sponsor their child attending popularised 'schoolies' activities, and who can't afford a full-blown overseas trip. It is fortunate when the parents and children have such good communication and relationships that the kids will listen to the oldies, and he thanks the Lord that his own children and nephew and nieces have done.
In his own case, his eldest went to friends in Melbourne for a week of shopping; his second went to the Whitsundays with a family member; the third and fourth went to the Gold Coast on a different week (not the advertised schoolies week) with a family member. His nephews and nieces took their old family farm vehicle, each in turn, and went camping with a few close friends.
Scripture Union host numerous Schoolies camps and tours for Christian young people, including a Whitsundays sailing cruise (where the youngsters have the double benefit of learning to sail).
Every parent has some concerns for their school leavers who want to celebrate finishing high school. Despite what the kids might think, the parents want them to have a great time without putting themselves in danger or over-doing it to the point of spoiling the longed-for release of tension.
My wife Delma and I weighed these issues carefully, and decided upon our own particular kind of activity for each of their four children after much discussion, and in the end they were able to come to a mutually agreeable solution.
But, although there are alternatives, parents need to be aware that it is too late to leave it until the exams are over. Ideas and family 'rules' about 'Schoolies week' should be discussed right at the beginning of year 12, or even at the end of year 11 when other friends may be off on their own celebrations.
Movement towards change
It might take some research and Internet searching; but there will be something that satisfies everyone. Now there are Schoolies Week overseas trip programs running where as a tour group they travel to well trod overseas venues such as Peru (Inca Trail), or Europe (Great Cathedrals, Famous Art Galleries, Cultural).
These options are all part of this movement of change as a result of such bad behaviour of recent years.
The Bible has much to say about parenting and honouring one's parents, for example Hebrews 12 verse 11: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it"
My plea is that parents show some responsible care and family self discipline, although each parent will come to their own decision. From our own experience, if there is mutual respect, the children will be relieved that they do not have to 'keep up with the Jones's' and just go wild.
It is possible to do something that is (in the end) much more fun, that they can enjoy with their own friends or family. There are very good options available today.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
