CONCERNS have been raised over a game being played by Year 12 students at Ormiston College with parents questioning its impact on safety, public behaviour and study just months out from final exams.
The game, commonly known as Senior Assassin, involves students tracking each other outside school hours through mobile apps and attempting to “eliminate” one another with water or gel blasters in public places.
It is understood a significant number of the senior cohort is participating, with reports suggesting the activity has drawn in a large portion of students.
Parents say the timing of the game, early in Term 2 and in the lead-up to ATAR assessments, is inappropriate and distracting.
One parent, who asked not to be named, said the situation was difficult for families trying to balance independence with responsibility.
“It’s a hard one being a school parent but a group of OC seniors just a few months out from their ATAR exams have started that American assassin game, where they track each other on apps after hours and attempt to eliminate each other with jet blasters in public places,” the parent said.
“These kids have just come back from three weeks holiday and I thought there might be some other more important priorities.”
The parent said the activity was out of step with when such games are typically played.
“I’m not aware of any school that condones this kind of distraction in the middle of term, and plenty of coverage from the US showing stupid things can happen with these ambushes, but this is normally reserved for prank week or annual breakups not in the middle of an academic term,” the parent said.
It is believed a large proportion of the cohort is involved.
“Turns out that about 80 of 130 OC students are participating,” the parent claimed.
“Every parent is just hoping their kid gets eliminated so they can get back to what they pay their school fees for.”
Another parent said the activity had already caused disruption at home.
“I’ve blown up. It’s poor form. We had people out the front of the house at 9pm on Monday night… not cool,” the parent said.
The game has gained traction among senior students across Australia and overseas, evolving from a long-running end-of-school tradition in the United States where final-year students take part in a social, elimination-style competition.
Typically played over several weeks, participants are assigned specific “targets” and must track them down outside of designated “safe zones” — often using mobile apps that monitor location — while avoiding being eliminated themselves.
The last remaining player or team is declared the winner, sometimes with prizes or bragging rights attached.
Rules commonly set by organisers attempt to limit risk, such as banning play on school grounds, restricting use of realistic-looking imitation weapons, and requiring consent before entering private property.
However, enforcement is informal and largely dependent on students adhering to agreed boundaries.
The rise of app-based versions of the game has made it easier to coordinate large groups, contributing to its growing popularity but also increasing concerns about how far participants may go to stay competitive.
The game has also prompted safety warnings from authorities interstate and overseas, particularly around the use of imitation firearms in public.
In New South Wales, police warnings followed an incident in which a Sydney TAFE campus was placed into lockdown after a teenager was seen carrying what appeared to be a firearm while participating in a similar game.
Authorities have emphasised that any report of a firearm is treated as a genuine threat, triggering a full police response.
There have also been reports internationally of police callouts and even arrests after members of the public mistook water guns for real weapons, highlighting the potential for situations to escalate quickly.
Concerns raised by authorities have extended beyond public alarm, with warnings that behaviour linked to the game — including trespassing, approaching homes at night, or causing fear — could carry legal consequences.
In a statement, Ormiston College Headmaster and CEO Michael Hornby said the activity was not connected to the school.
“It’s of our recent understanding the rumoured activity is student-led and has taken place outside school hours and off campus,” he said.
“The activity is not organised by and is in no way endorsed by the College and has had no impact on school operations.
“We have not received any contact from parents to date regarding this activity, but do understand the potential for concern regarding safety. As always, we are here to consult directly on individual concerns and will respond urgently and accordingly upon hearing them.
“Student safety is always our highest priority and practising safe and responsible behaviour is something we encourage to our families both during school and at home. As such we are prepared to offer our full support to any parents and students impacted by this activity, and encourage anyone with concerns or requests to reach out to us.”
Locally, families have questioned whether such an activity is appropriate during term time, particularly as students prepare for final exams.
The situation has sparked broader discussion among families about balancing social activities with academic priorities in a critical year of schooling, as well as the need for clear expectations around student behaviour outside school hours.
A Queensland education department spokesman said there have been no complaints about this issue.
“Individual school comminutes deal with any behaviour incidents in line with their school behaviour plans,” he said.
