[living~in~the~no...]

Old thread implied a reason for death which was in no way intended. . . .

[**Mel**]

c&p my last post in the other thread...

So, how do we stop/moderate schoolies?

I can't stand that there is this massive expectation for our kids to finish their exams, then rush off somewhere to get drunk and take drugs.

Not all of them will get drunk and take drugs, but it is all freely available to them if they want it. They are barely adults...

I hate, that as Head of Senior School, I say goodbye to my Year 12's, knowing they are off to schoolies (either local, QLD or now Bali) and tehen pray to anyone that will listen, that all of ours return

[living~in~the~no...]

And it is all well and good to have armed your very responsible 17/18 year old but the whole "feel" (not the right word but I am struggling with vocab) of schoolies and getting caught up in the moment . . . .you can't control that.

[**Mel**]

yep, exactly. It's the 'party momentum' thing. Any kid out there is likely to get caught up in it, or be an innocent party in an unfortunate chain of events, because of others' drinking/drug taking.

[Drowningnotwavin...]

I was a bit shocked about someone saying they would pay for a conkiki tour instead of schoolies in the other thread....really? Schoolies is very tame compared to that.

[living~in~the~no...]

They are equally unappealing as a parent!

I wonder how much I am influenced by the fact that I had no desire to go to schoolies myself???? I stayed in town and did fun things with my friends that involved nothing illegal (I was 17) but celebrated us as friends instead.

I wonder if I can't picture my girls wanting to go or . . .who knows there are so many emotions involved as a parent when something like this happens.

And my two will both be 18 when they graduate thanks to the new cut off in QLD so they will be legal adults.

This post has been edited by living~in~the~now: 23/11/2012, 10:17 PM

[Drowningnotwavin...]

Meh I don't have kids but there was no way in hell my folks would tell me where I can and can't go at 18. But I was pretty broke so couldn't get up to much..... Maybe that's the secret.

[TwinkyBear]

It absolutely terrifies me that the kids are heading off to Bali for schoolies nowadays. They're so young and impulsive and so likely to get themselves in to big trouble.

[**Mel**]

I was a bit shocked about someone saying they would pay for a conkiki tour instead of schoolies in the other thread....really? Schoolies is very tame compared to that.

I said that some of my students' parents had elected for that. I can see their thinking. I wouldn't necessarily choose contiki, but a guided 12/14 day tour through Europe? Easily the better option when compared to schoolies.

They are equally unappealing as a parent!

I wonder how much I am influenced by the fact that I had no desire to go to schoolies myself???? I stayed in town and did fun things with my friends that involved nothing illegal (I was 17) but celebrated us as friends instead.

I wonder if I can't picture my girls wanting to go or . . .who knows there are so many emotions involved as a parent when something like this happens.

And my two will both be 18 when they graduate thanks to the new cut off in QLD so they will be legal adults.

Mum and I discussed this too. The majority of my Year 12's turn 18 during their final high school year - adults.

[living~in~the~no...]

I don't know about Bali but I didn't even feel safe or happy in Thailand as an adult let alone an 18 year old! Can't imagine Bali being much different?

Someone today told me (when we were discussing the tragedy) that her parents said if you don't got to schoolies we will buy you a car and for her it was a no brainer - the car won!