Alcohol
Information dealing with issues such as duty of care, student wellbeing, excursions and work experience.
Schools should have clearly defined policies and procedures relating to student consumption of alcohol during school hours and/or during school camps or excursions.
In the case of incidents involving student alcohol consumption, initial actions and responses should focus on the safety and welfare of those directly and indirectly involved. Sanctions or consequences may then follow according to the school’s code of conduct.
Staff should be made aware of the school’s policies and procedures in relation to student alcohol consumption. Where school personnel become aware that alcohol consumption by students is occurring or is likely to take place, there is a clear ‘duty of care’ to pass on this information via the defined school channels.
The action to be taken when students are known to have been consuming alcohol during school hours, or to have brought alcohol onto school premises, is to be determined by the principal in accordance with the school’s student code of conduct. However, such incidents should be regarded as serious and the use of suspension seen as an appropriate action.
In the case of underage students if the source of supply can be identified, the police should be notified where appropriate.
The consumption of alcohol at school camps or excursions by students (whether under or over the age of eighteen) is prohibited. Parents/guardians and students should be informed of this before departure and warned that offenders will be severely disciplined and, where appropriate, returned immediately to school or home.
It is an offence for a person to supply alcohol to a minor (a person under the age of 18 years) in a private home without parental consent.
You may be in breach of your duty of care responsibilities.
Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@is.vic.edu.au
Kieren Noonan
Head of Innovation
Ph. 03 9825 7275
kieren.noonan@is.vic.edu.au
- Vic DET: School Policy and Advisory Guide – Student Safety: Alcohol
- Vic DET: Drug Education
- Vic DET: Student Wellbeing Policy
- Vic DET: Engaging Parents in Drug Education
- Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
- Victorian Government Department of Health: Alcohol and young people
- Australian Government Department of Health: Alcohol