Schoolies Information Session 2013 presentation notes
Schoolies Information Sessions in South East Queensland have been effective in preparing students to safely navigate the risks that may arise during end-of-school celebrations. To extend this opportunity to graduating Year 12 students statewide, the Be safe and watch your mates DVD and accompanying presentation notes have been developed.
The sessions are designed to reinforce messages regarding responsible choices about alcohol, drugs, privacy, sexual health, mental health and other issues, which students have been exposed to during their schooling. While tailored towards the major Schoolies locations, the information presented in the DVD is relevant to all school leavers who may attend end of school celebrations. The DVD covers the key points, with supporting information provided in the following presenter notes, which can be used by teaching staff or Queensland Police Service representatives, such as District Crime Prevention Coordinators and School-Based Police Officers.
While the Queensland Government does not promote Schoolies, it has coordinated and funded Schoolies Safety responses in regional Queensland locations since 2004 as part of the Safer Schoolies Initiative. Safety responses will be implemented on the Gold Coast, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island and Yeppoon in 2013.
How to use the Be safe and watch your mates DVD
The DVD consists of three videos, which feature the following segments.
Video 1 – What to expect at Schoolies (Running time: 3:56)
Segment 1: Schoolies is for schoolies (1:31)
Segment 2: Accommodation and travel tips (2:25)
Video 2 – Don’t risk it (Running time: 9:50)
Segment 1: Drugs and alcohol – health factors (5:28)
Segment 2: Drugs and alcohol – legal factors (2:51)
Segment 3: Sexual health (1:31)
Video 3 – Be safe and watch your mates (Running time: 6:08)
Segment 1: Staying safe (2:08)
Segment 2: Mental health (1:37)
Segment 3: Protect your privacy (2:23)
Total running time: 19 minutes 54 seconds
Each segment features a title screen, followed by an interview with a Queensland Police Service or Queensland Ambulance Service representative or discussion among the two presenters. They are then followed with closing screens which reiterate the key points in the videos. These notes include the content from the closing screens and follow with further information for presenters to use.
You can:
· play the video segment you wish to present, pausing at the key messages highlighted on the closing screen for each segment, and use the presentation notes to expand on the information presented in the video clip or
· watch each video in its entirety then use the presentation notes to support discussion.
Sample closing screen.
Organise a presentation
If you would like a Queensland Police Service representative to host the Schoolies Information Session at your school, contact your District Crime Prevention Coordinator through your local police station.
Keep up-to-date
As some details included in these notes are subject to change from year to year, these notes will be updated each year and made available to download via www.schoolies.qld.gov.au/teachers. Supporting print materials can also be ordered from this site.
An alternative format is available. Please contact .
Video one – What to expect at Schoolies (3:56)
Segment one – Schoolies is for schoolies (1:31)
Closing screen information
Further discussion points
· Safer Schoolies activities are held at the Gold Coast, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, and Yeppoon. Visit www.schoolies.qld.gov.au for more information.
ID requirements
· To be issued with an official Schoolies wristband or ID, you will need to present photographic proof of identity such as a Year 12 student photo ID. If you don’t have a Year 12 student photo ID you must present a letter on school letterhead, signed by your principal or Year 12 coordinator, stating that you are a 2013 school leaver. This must be accompanied by official photographic ID (drivers licence or passport).
· Pick up your wristband or ID pass from the designated area in each location.
· Keep your wristband or ID pass on for the entire period of your stay and be aware that removing, cutting, sharing or tampering with it will make it invalid.
· Remember, no wristband or ID pass means no access to Schoolies activities or services.
· Toolies, non-school leavers who are at Schoolies to cause trouble, are not welcome at Schoolies. If you know friends who are planning to go to Schoolies and aren’t Year 12 students, tell them to stay at home, as they will not be allowed in!
Segment two – Accommodation and travel tips (2:25)
Closing screen information
Further discussion points
1. Know the house rules
• You should receive a copy of the house rules when you make your booking. If not, make sure you ask for a copy.
• Make sure you all read the house rules and understand them before you go. If you don’t agree, don’t go!
• If you break the house rules, you are breaking a contract and may be evicted.
• You won’t get a second chance.
• Your house rules may include:
o no visitors and
o no glass in the unit – this means beer bottles, spirit bottles and even perfume bottles.
2. Understand your obligations and rights as a tenant
• If you change or cancel your booking you may be charged a fee or lose your deposit.
• If the agent/owner cancels your booking, you should receive your money back.
• If you are moved to other accommodation it should be of the same standard.
• If you are transferred to inferior accommodation to that of your original booking, you should receive compensation.
• If you cannot negotiate a suitable outcome, contact the Office of Fair Trading for advice (13 QGOV – 13 74 68).
3. Liability – you break it, you pay for it
• When you arrive in your unit, look around. Inspect the accommodation carefully and, if there is any damage, take a time stamped photo on your phone and report it immediately so that you can’t be blamed for it later. If there are any breakables, put them away. If anything is broken in your unit (even if you were not responsible) you will be charged for it out of your bond.
4. Eviction
• Most accommodation providers will not give you more than one chance. If you break the house rules or muck around, you will be evicted. You may not be able to find alternate accommodation – there is often none left! You will have to call your parents or guardian and ask them to pick you up!
• So if you are thinking about throwing water bombs off the balcony, lighting a fire in the lounge room, or running naked down the hallway – think again!
5. Seek help
• If you cannot resolve a dispute with the accommodation manager or booking agent, follow these steps:
• first check your responsibilities under the booking terms and conditions
• try to work it out with the accommodation provider (landlord)
• call the Office of Fair Trading for advice (13 QGOV - 13 74 68) or Google ‘Fair Trading Queensland’
• if you are unable to work out a refund settlement with the accommodation provider, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Office of Fair Trading online at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
This information only applies to Schoolies travelling to Queensland destinations. Different laws and regulations apply if travelling interstate or overseas. Make sure you know the relevant laws for your destination.
Video two – Don’t risk it (9:50)
Segment one – Drugs and alcohol – health factors (5:28)
Closing screen information
Further discussion points
Some things you may not know about alcohol and drugs:
• Alcohol is a factor in one in five drownings.
• Alcohol is implicated in almost half of all pedestrian fatalities.
• Drinking alcohol greatly increases the chance of injury, no matter what the activity.
• Alcohol is involved in almost half of all sexual assaults on women aged 15 years and over.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, the effects of alcohol can be much worse for you. Make sure you look after yourself and carry your medication with you at all times.
• Your body can only process one standard drink per hour.
• Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is dangerous.
• You can overdose and DIE on any drug, including prescription drugs and alcohol.
If you see anyone with symptoms of alcohol or drug overdose, don’t delay getting help, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Once you’ve called Triple Zero (000) make sure you:
• stay with the person and check to see that they respond to simple commands such as ‘open your eyes’ or ‘squeeze my hand’
• know how to put someone into the recovery position. If they are unconscious and breathing, turn them onto their side. (DEMONSTRATE RECOVERY POSITION WITH A VOLUNTEER IF TIME)
• tell the emergency personnel what your friend has taken, so they can be treated correctly
• if breathing has stopped — start mouth to mouth resuscitation immediately. Don’t wait for the ambulance to arrive.
As Mal said, do not delay getting help for fear of getting in trouble
Ambulance officers will not notify the Police when they respond to an emergency where illicit drugs are involved unless:
• the paramedics’ physical safety or the physical safety of others are at risk
• a death has occurred at the scene or
• a person has suffered a violent injury such as a stabbing or shooting.
What will happen if you require emergency treatment for alcohol or drugs?
• You may require immediate life-saving medical treatment by ambulance officers
• You may be transported to the hospital for specialist treatment
• Your parent or guardian will be contacted
• It could be the last party you ever have.
Segment two – Drugs and alcohol– legal factors (2:51)
Closing screen information
Further discussion points
Fines
• It is illegal to drink or possess alcohol in public places.
• Possession includes holding a drink for a friend, helping a friend carry their alcoholic drinks home or carrying alcohol in backpacks and handbags.
• Consuming alcohol outside your room is classed as drinking in a public place.
• Other public places include parks, roads and footpaths, shopping centres and the beach.
Under 18s:
• Possessing alcohol: $247 fine
• Consuming or possessing alcohol on licensed premises: $247 fine
• Being on licensed premises: $330 fine
• Sending a minor onto licensed premises with a view to the minor or another person being supplied with liquor: $880 fine.
Police and Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation officers will be patrolling Schoolies locations and will issue fines relating to liquor offences.
Alcohol and minors
Don’t supply alcohol to people under 18 years of age. Suppliers of any age will face penalties of up to $8,800. This includes your parents, guardians or friends who are 18+.
Police CAN and WILL:
· Seize and tip out alcohol
· Arrest you for being drunk in public
· Enter a hotel room to seize alcohol.
When asked by Police or Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation officers you must give your name, age, address and ID. Supplying false information is an offence. You will be fined $330 if you fail to state your correct name, address or age.
If you want to enter a nightclub, bar or bottleshop, the only acceptable forms of ID are a drivers licence or learners permit; current passport or 18+ card from Queensland Transport.
· If you use a friend’s ID you will be fined $330 on the spot.
· If you deface an ID to use it, you will be fined $440 on the spot.
· If you lend your ID to a friend you will be fined $550 and the ID may be confiscated on the spot.
· If you make a fake ID with intent to use it as acceptable evidence of age you will be fined $660 on the spot.
· You could also be taken to court and fined up to:
§ $2,750 for each offence you commit if you are under 18; or
§ $4,400 for each offence you commit if you are over 18.
· By law, a crowd controller, bouncer or bartender must take your ID if they think it’s fake or doesn't belong to you and it is being used as evidence of your age.
· It will then be sent to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation with an ID Confiscation Report. If it is legitimate, you can reclaim your ID by contacting the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (13 QGOV 13 74 68). If it is not legitimate, the ID will be held until the investigation is completed.
Drink driving
· If you do plan to drink when you go out, leave the car behind and catch a taxi or bus, or get a lift with a sober friend.
If thinking of driving:
· ZERO blood alcohol level is required for learner drivers or provisional drivers.
· The only thing that will reduce your blood alcohol level is TIME. Think about this before you decide to drive the next day, you could still be over the limit.
· If you have a learner licence and are driving, your supervising driver must also have a zero blood and breath alcohol concentration.
· Remember that you can be tested for drugs as well as alcohol. If you are caught you will face criminal prosecution, loss of licence and fines.
Drugs
· In Queensland, 17 year olds face the adult court system to have their drug offences determined. For example, it is an offence to:
o possess illicit drugs including cannabis or supply them to someone else or
o have a bong that you have used, or is used for, smoking cannabis.
This information only applies to Schoolies travelling to Queensland destinations. Different laws and regulations apply interstate or overseas. Make sure you know the relevant laws for your destination.
Segment three – Sexual health (1:31)
Closing screen information