Schools crack down on muckup day plans

By Nathan Johnston
YEAR 12 students completing 13 years of primary and secondary school classes today (Thursday) and tomorrow have been urged to refrain from traditional muckup day antics.
In recent years some local schools have had windows broken, graffiti sprayed over walls and other costly damage after the bell rings for the final time.
But students at Chandler Secondary College have been warned any antisocial behaviour would attract tough penalties.
Principal Sandra Robinson told year 12s in the school newsletter that their behaviour and commitment to study so far this year had been exemplary, and she was looking forward to a fitting conclusion to 2005.
“The previous practice of some year 12 students to have a muckup day on their last day of school has been stopped at Chandler Secondary College,” she said in the newsletter.
“It is no longer an accepted last day behaviour.
“Such behaviour distresses students, teachers and those people living near by.
“Only responsible adult behaviour will be tolerated.
“Any form of antisocial behaviour will result in students having to sit examinations elsewhere, no admittance to the VCE Awards Evening and a parent interview.”
Dandenong High School principal Martin Culkin said staff and students had come to an arrangement that had eliminated previous problems associated with the end of school.
“They set out what they want and we set out what we want,” he said.
“We have a meeting of the minds and it has been extremely successful.”
Mr Culkin said an assembly was held where the school’s expectations had been explained.
“We’ve asked them to behave in a satisfactory and respectful way before they start their preparations for their exams,” he said.
“To help them wind down and celebrate, we’ve had an out of uniform day and a student concert on Monday, a trip to Gumbuya Park yesterday (Wednesday), a whole school assembly to farewell the students today, before a formal dinner was due to be held this evening.
“We believe this program gives them adequate opportunities to celebrate in a responsible way.”
Springvale Police Sergeant Geoff Kelly said all staff would be made aware of when muckup day celebrations were likely to occur.
“We will put on at least one extra car and some extra staff for patrols, but it hasn’t caused major problems for us in the past,” he said.
“Schools might have had to deal with some incidents, it’s just that they haven’t brought it to our attention.
“We’ll remind the staff that it’s on because unless you have kids of that age, you wouldn’t know it was coming up.
“It’s not something we mark in the calendar.”