School’s (nearly) out for summer!

Last updated
Thursday, 07/11/2024

 

Many year 12 students will soon mark the end of their school years by heading somewhere tropical to celebrate with their mates.

If your child is going overseas for schoolies, we have advice to ensure their trip is memorable for the right reasons.

Learn about where they're going

Ensure they're informed about where they're going, before they go. Encourage them to:

Remind them they're visitors to someone else's home while they're overseas. It's important to understand and be respectful of the local culture and laws while they're there.

Some countries have extra entry rules beyond just getting a visa. Make sure they know and follow the rules.

Make sure they have travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is a must. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure their policy covers all planned activities.

Find out:

  • if you need to buy extra cover for any adventure activities they have planned, such as scuba diving or rafting
  • whether their travel insurance policy has alcohol consumption limits for claims. Many policies won't allow claims if alcohol is involved
  • if riding on scooters is covered, if there is an engine power limit and what license they need.

Read more about travel insurance.

Talk to them about partying safely

Make sure you equip your child with the knowledge to party safely. Talk to them about:

  • looking after their mates. It's important to look out for each other so someone is always around if things go wrong. Help them come up with a back-up plan if they get separated.
  • drinking safely. Make sure they know the signs of spiking and methanol poisoning, how to prevent them and what to do if they see it.
  • water safety. Swimming and alcohol don't mix. Especially swimming in the ocean.
  • safety around heights. Risky stunts look impressive on video. But no amount of social media clout is worth falling from a balcony ledge.
  • the risk of drugs. Taking drugs always comes with risk. Overseas in a foreign country is not the place to experiment with them. Many countries have much harsher penalties than Australia for carrying and using drugs.

Read more about partying safely.

Help them pack the essentials

Put together a travel binder with:

  • a copy of their passport
  • a copy of their visa, if bought in advance
  • printouts of any e-tickets for flights and accommodation, including accommodation locations
  • a list of emergency contacts back home and in their destination, including the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate
  • copies of prescriptions for any medication they're taking (and check their medication is legal where they're going). 

Digital bookings and contact lists are great until the device they're on gets broken, lost or stolen. Having hardcopy back-ups removes some of the stress if something happens to their phone.

See our checklist of the basics for more advice on how to prepare for a trip overseas.

Remind them to stay in touch

Schoolies is often a child's first trip without you. It can be overwhelming for you and them. Set up an agreed daily check-in time before they leave. It can relieve some anxiety and reassure you they're doing ok.

But if they haven't replied in a few days, try not to worry. Most likely, they're just too busy having fun. If you're concerned:

  • check their and their friends' social media
  • try messaging the people they're travelling with
  • if they're on a tour, contact the tour provider. Schoolies tours typically have a parent number for you to call.

Red Frogs are there to help

If your child is heading to schoolies in Bali or Fiji, tell them to look out for the Red Frogs volunteers. Our friends at Red Frogs support schoolies with a positive peer presence during festivities. They're there to keep schoolies safe for everyone and help if things go wrong. They may even provide some home-cooked pancakes the morning after a big night!

Looking for more advice?