When the books are closed, the pencils are down, and finally, after 13 long years, primary and secondary schooling is finished, many school leavers choose to celebrate this monumental milestone in a manner of different ways.
In Queensland, a large portion of school graduates partake in the traditional event known as ‘schoolies,’ a week long celebration of music, partying and other fun events.
So, what exactly is Schoolies and where does it occur? Read on to discover the answer to these questions and more.
What is Schoolies?
Schoolies is an Australian tradition which sees grade 12 graduates gather at different destinations to celebrate the end of their schooling.
Quite often students organise to stay at a chosen destination with their friends and classmates, enjoying stress-free freedom and fun as they create lasting memories. It is a week of nostalgia, excitement, and adventure.
It is also about spending quality time with those friends who have spent most of their previous days with before they all head off on their own pathways and journeys in the ‘real world’.
When is Schoolies?
Schoolies is traditionally the week which directly follows the final official day of school, usually in November. In different states this may vary, which is why you will quite often hear about NSW Schoolies, or Queensland Schoolies.
Generally, Week 1 is for Queensland graduates, and Week 2/3 is for NSW, Victorian, and all other graduates, but you can choose whatever week you like.
You can find the dates of schoolies for each state here.
How long does Schoolies go for?
Schoolies is usually only a week-long celebration, although depending on where you are visiting it can sometimes stretch longer or be a little shorter.
As Queensland schools usually finish a week before those in other states, they tend to celebrate their week but often continue on into the second week when the new wave of students come to celebrate.
Where is Schoolies held?
Traditionally, in Queensland, the biggest and best Schoolies celebration happens on the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast has been hosting Schoolies for over 35 year. Not only is there a multitude of events, activities and festivities planned for the kids at night, but also plenty of things to keep them entertained during the day.
Even so, in recent times more and more school leavers have opted for other locations up and down the Queensland coast, with some even heading out to the islands.
The Sunshine Coast has become a popular option for those still looking for the glittering coastline, beaches and night-time activities without the huge crowds and craziness that is often associated with the Gold Coast celebration.
Many students even opt for overseas trips with their family or a hinterland escape with their closest friends. At the end of the day, Schoolies is a week to celebrate and how you do so is completely up to you.
What happens at Schoolies?
Again, what happens at Schoolies definitely depends on where your child has chosen to spend it.
If it is at the Gold Coast then you can expect thousands of school leavers descending on the beaches and in the clubs (if over 18) to party up a storm. The organisers on the coast cater well for those under 18, with live music events and festivities organised to keep them together and supervised. There are all-ages club parties as well as hotel pool parties etc.
A great source of information on the popular locations for Schoolies, as well as the events planned can be found at the Schoolies.com website.
Accommodation during Schoolies
When it comes to booking accommodation over the well-known Schoolies weeks, be prepared for some pretty strict guidelines and hefty price tag.
Accommodation providers in the main areas are well aware kids booking in are there to celebrate and usually have some very tight restrictions around what can and can’t happen during their stay. Some places even refuse to book for Schoolies.
Due to the popularity of the event at certain places like the Gold Coast, it is recommended accommodation is booked well in advance.
Also, make sure you read through your child’s accommodation agreement carefully. Some hotels require an adult to be present at check-in, so knowing this beforehand will save you an unexpected trip.
If you have any queries, be sure to ring the hotel directly and clarify before paying in full.
Schoolies Safety
A big worry for parents when it comes to Schoolies is how safe their children will be. For many, it may be their first holiday away without their parents and being surrounded by so many other young party goers can be a cause for concern for many parents.
There are a number of different safety programs which run on the Gold Coast and at other major Schoolies locations to help ensure the safety of the young celebrators.
Some parents opt to book through designated websites which offer additional security options such as those offered at Schoolies.com. You can read about safety guidelines and programs here.
Red Frog Tips:
Here are a few Schoolies tips from the infamous Red Frog group:
1. Read through the accommodation agreement.
2. Cook and freeze meals for them.
3. Have important conversations with your young person.
4. Organise a check-in day.
5. Add an In Case of Emergency (ICE) number and the Red Frogs Hotline (1300 557 123) into your teen’s phone.
If your child has recently graduated and is looking for some other exciting ways to celebrate explore these Fun Activities for Teenagers in Brisbane.
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