FURTHER UPDATE: CARMEL College parents have raised fresh concerns after reports emerged that security guards were present at the Thornlands school today, amid ongoing backlash over Year 12 classes.
The development comes after Principal Stephen Adair reversed his earlier decision to cancel today’s Year 12 classes, following strong criticism from parents and students online.
One parent, Belinda Hutchison, confirmed: “My daughter just confirmed that there are security guards there. Absolutely ridiculous. Apparently the kids did the right thing and told the principal of their plan for last day and all of their ideas were refused. I am happy to say that it is our last year with the school and I am glad we are done.”
Other parents expressed frustration that the presence of guards felt unnecessarily intimidating.
Tracey Hebbard wrote: “OMG is the security for him because he angered so many people yesterday or to just intimidate the kids …
The security presence follows criticism that money spent on guards could have been better allocated — for example, toward installing air conditioning in unairconditioned classrooms.
One parent commented: “The money could’ve been put to better use. Totally unnecessary!”
Principal Adair had originally cancelled Year 12 classes to give students “a long weekend for rest, study and some well-earned time out” ahead of external exams, and cited safety concerns.
In his reversal, he stated lessons would now go ahead as usual, reminding students to adhere to uniform and behaviour expectations.
The controversy has sparked a wave of complaints to Brisbane Catholic Education, with parents encouraged to contact the office directly to voice their concerns.
The school did not respond to media inquiries today.
UPDATE: Principal reverses decision to cancel Year 12 classes
Carmel College Principal Stephen Adair has reversed his decision to cancel tomorrow’s Year 12 classes following backlash from parents and students.
In an email sent to families on Thursday evening, Mr Adair acknowledged the significance of the final day of classes and said lessons would now go ahead as usual on Friday.
“I understand the significance of the last day of classes, and I acknowledge your concerns,” he wrote.
“As such, I am advising that classes will be held as usual tomorrow for Year 12.”
Mr Adair said his earlier decision to cancel classes was made out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the community.
The Redland Bayside News understands that children were potentially planning to swap uniforms like boys on girls and vice versa.
He reminded parents to discuss appropriate behaviour expectations with their children, warning that any students involved in misconduct could be barred from attending key events such as Thursday’s graduation.
“As is tradition for this day, correct formal school uniform is expected tomorrow,” he wrote.
The reversal followed strong online criticism earlier in the day after families received notice at 3pm that classes had been cancelled.
CARMEL College parents have voiced frustration online after the Thornlands school announced at 3pm today that tomorrow’s Year 12 classes had been cancelled — effectively making Thursday the cohort’s final day of school.
In an email sent to students and parents this afternoon, Principal Stephen Adair said the decision was made to give Year 12 students “a long weekend for rest, study and some well-earned time out” before next week’s external exams.
“With external exams starting next week we believe the students will benefit from a long weekend for rest, study and some well-earned time out,” Mr Adair wrote.
“We are very conscious that stress levels for some students are elevated at present and that a break before the pressure of externals may be beneficial.”
But the late timing of the announcement has angered some parents, who said they had planned for their children to attend school for a final day of classes, activities and farewells.
“Wow what a terrible decision having cancelled Year 12 classes tomorrow,” parent Loretta Nylander wrote in a local Facebook group.
“So much for the money wasted now on the PC Secret Santa party. Also the email comes out at 3pm. We have gifts at home that were going in tomorrow for teachers. I certainly hope the kids know today was their last day. Not fair Carmel.”
Other parents echoed the sentiment, with several suggesting they would contact Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) to lodge complaints.
“I think an email needs to be sent to BCE now,” one parent commented, while another added: “What a joke to email parents and students at 3pm to say they’ve cancelled tomorrow’s classes.”
Mr Adair said supervised study would still be available on campus tomorrow for students needing to attend and that staff would use the day to prepare exam rooms and schedules.
The principal also encouraged students to attend next week’s “good luck BBQ” and upcoming graduation events in November.
“It has been a great year with this Yr 12 cohort and we look forward to a very positive exam performance and completion to their time at Carmel,” he said.
