By Alison Noonan
CASEY Secondary School principals say they are not worried about ‘muckup day’ pranks as they prepare to farewell their year 12 students this week.
While some schools have bumped up security for the last day, most are positive their students will be on their best behaviour during farewell celebrations.
Eumemmerring Secondary College principal Brian Burgess said the school had decided to be proactive with the students this year and organised a carnival day.
“This is intended to allow students to let steam off in a constructive way,” Mr Burgess said.
He admitted that while there had been incidents in the past, the school had escaped damage over the last four years.
“We will have security guards, though.
“Most times we find that it is people from outside the school that see this time of year as a good excuse to create a bit of havoc.
“We will be talking to the students again at assembly on Thursday (today) about the expectations we have for their behaviour,” he said.
Year 12 students at Hampton Park Secondary College enjoyed celebrations on their last day of school yesterday (Wednesday).
Principal John Peck said it had been a positive day, commemorating the end of 13 years of school.
He said students attended a school assembly in the morning with year 12s giving speeches and performances, including singing, a band and a production involving onland synchronised swimming.
He said lots of balloons, whistle blowing and good humour had greeted the 1000 students and 20 to 30 parents watching.
He said a fun student and staff football match was also planned for the afternoon.
“There isn’t a school in the country which doesn’t want its kids to leave well.
“The kids are going to celebrate. It’s important to teach them to be safe about it,” Mr Peck said.
Doveton Secondary College’s celebrations will take place next Wednesday.
The school’s principal Nigel Hutchison said a farewell breakfast was planned for the school and parents to say goodbye to their year 12 students.
Cranbourne police Senior Sergeant Michael Wearne said police were fully aware of the day and would be patrolling secondary schools in the area.
He said previous years had been relatively incident free.
“Local school students have received lectures from our police in schools involvement member, warning them of the consequences of muckup day pranks.
“We will be paying particular attention to secondary schools in our patrols on the day and some schools have said they will be providing extra security,” he said.
