Top marks for start to Schoolies but bigger test looms

Police have praised the behaviour of people at Schoolies on the Gold Coast. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

School may be out but year 12 graduates appear to have learnt another lesson on the Gold Coast - be safe and look out for your mates.

Police have praised the behaviour of teenagers after a quiet start on the tourist strip to Australia's largest Schoolies celebration.

But authorities fear wet weather forecast this week may create headaches.

More than 20,000 teens are set to converge on the Gold Coast to toast the end of school, with festivities officially kicking off on the weekend.

Just six schoolies have been arrested, mostly for public nuisance.

There were 18 schoolies arrests after the first weekend last year.

About 120 graduates were treated at the emergency treatment centre at Surfers Paradise with only seven taken to hospital, mostly for intoxication.

"But the levels of intoxications are much lower than they have been historically - it's really good to see," Queensland Ambulance Service's Justin Payne said.

"We are seeing a lot of sober friends willing to help out their mates - we want to echo (the message) 'be safe and watch your mates'."

Queensland Police's Acting Superintendent Peter Miles said it was encouraging to see schoolies had each other's back this year.

"We can't fault this group at this stage," he said.

"If you've got that one friend who can get a bit loose and a bit stupid, look out for them because they will get a ticket."

Even the toolies - older revellers who are not school graduates - are behaving themselves.

Only 20 toolies have been arrested, well down on last year's numbers.

"I have done a few Schoolies myself - as a police officer, not as a toolie - and this vibe is really good," Acting Supt Miles said.

"When you are delving into that youth crime side of things all the time it can get a little bit negative and jaded so this has been refreshing.

"Moving forward I think we have got a good cohort that will pay my pension."

But a big challenge may lay ahead with showers forecast for this week.

Acting Supt Miles said he hoped the weather did not encourage schoolies to drink indoors.

"This could be a bit of a game changer," he said.

He urged students staying indoors to be respectful neighbours and keep the noise down.

"The last thing we want to see is that you are going to be evicted and be on the side of the Gold Coast highway with your bags packed, having to go home early," he said.

"That's not fun, especially when you have taken 13 years to get here."

About 13,500 graduates have so far grabbed wristbands as part of the Queensland government's Safer Schoolies Response program.

The wristbands provide access to the alcohol and drug-free Schoolies Hub on Surfers Paradise that offers free entertainment and support services.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store