What is Schoolies and why is it celebrated?

Schoolies is a week-long celebration by Australian high school graduates marking the end of their secondary schooling. It’s a rite of passage that often includes group trips, parties, and beachside festivals.

Why is Schoolies considered risky for teenagers?

Teen brains are still developing, especially the areas responsible for impulse control and risk assessment. Combined with peer pressure, Schoolies creates a perfect storm for risky behaviours like binge drinking or drug use.

How can parents help keep their teenagers safe during Schoolies?

By staying engaged, setting clear boundaries, and encouraging open conversations. Helping teens become aware of group dynamics and self-monitoring behaviour can reduce risk.

What are the most common issues faced during Schoolies?

Common risks include alcohol poisoning, unsafe sex, drug use, injuries, and incidents involving unsafe transport. Most of these are preventable with support and awareness.

SCHOOLIES WEEK SAFETY

November 14, 2014
M.Jones

Schoolies: How to Help Your Teen Stay Safe and Celebrate Responsibly

What is Schoolies?

Schoolies is a tradition in Australia where high school graduates celebrate the end of Year 12 with a week of parties, usually in popular holiday destinations. It’s a milestone filled with excitement, but also potential risks. We explore schoolies week safety.

The History and Significance of Schoolies in Australia

The Schoolies tradition began on the Gold Coast in the 1970s and has since grown into a national phenomenon. While it can offer a well-earned celebration, it also highlights the challenges teens face when stepping into adulthood — often without parental supervision.

Popular Schoolies Destinations

Some of the most common Schoolies spots include:

Surfers Paradise (QLD)
Byron Bay (NSW)
Lorne and Torquay (VIC)
Bali or Fiji for overseas celebrations

These locations typically attract large crowds and party atmospheres, making risk awareness even more critical.

Schoolies week is an exciting rite of passage for thousands of Australian teenagers — but it also comes with real risks. From binge drinking to peer pressure, Schoolies can sometimes result in dangerous or even tragic consequences.

As a parent, it’s natural to feel nervous. So how can you help your teen stay safe, make good choices, and enjoy this milestone in a healthy way?

🧠 Understanding Risk-Taking in the Teenage Brain

It’s important to understand that risk-taking behaviour is hardwired into the adolescent brain. It’s not a result of bad parenting or teen rebellion — it’s biology.

During adolescence, the part of the brain responsible for logic and impulse control (the prefrontal cortex) is still developing. Meanwhile, their dopamine reward system is highly active — especially when they’re with peers. This means:

They’re aware of the risks of drinking, drug use, speeding, or unsafe sex
But they often lack the internal brakes to stop themselves
And their behaviour is amplified in social settings — like Schoolies

That’s why Schoolies can be such a volatile mix of excitement and risk.

🗣️ Why Talking to Your Teen Matters

While you can’t control every decision your child makes, you can influence their thinking.

The key is open, respectful communication — and starting the conversation before Schoolies begins.

Encourage your teen to:

Reflect on their behaviour in group settings
Recognise when they’re feeling pressured to perform or impress
Use strategies to pause and assess risks before making impulsive choices

Let them know you trust and respect them, and that your goal isn’t to stop them from having fun — it’s to help them start this next chapter in life safely and confidently.

What the Data Tells Us

According to a national report on substance use among Australian secondary students:

6.4% of students drank more than four drinks in a single day in the week prior to the study
But during Schoolies, over 70% of male school leavers and 60% of females reported getting drunk on most or all nights

The spike is clear — and so is the need for parents to stay engaged and informed.

How Parents Can Help Teens Thrive During Schoolies

Your involvement doesn’t have to feel like policing. Here’s what works best:

Support & Engagement

Be involved in planning their Schoolies trip — accommodation, transport, budget
Get to know who they’re going with and what their plans are

Opportunities & Limits

Give them age-appropriate independence, but within clear boundaries
Talk about non-negotiables like drink driving, drug use, and consent

Teach Self-Awareness

Help them notice when they’re “on stage” and acting for attention
Encourage “press pause” moments: stop → observe → evaluate → decide

💬 A Message to Your Teen

“I know how important this is to you, and I want you to celebrate. But I also want you to come home proud of the choices you made — not dealing with consequences you didn’t see coming.”

Let them know that Schoolies should mark the beginning of something wonderful — not the end of their safety, reputation, or wellbeing.

Need Extra Support?

If you’re concerned about your teen’s readiness for Schoolies or substance use in general, our psychologists can help you:

Prepare for conversations with confidence
Understand your teen’s behaviour through a clinical lens
Equip your family with real-life tools to navigate this major milestone

📞 Call us today on (03) 9809 1000
Or book a confidential appointment

Robert

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