Schoolies Australia: Gold Coast police praise responsible year 12 graduates amid binge drinking decline and fewer arrests

School may be out, but Year 12 graduates appear to have learned another lesson on the Gold Coast: be safe and look out for your friends.

Police have praised the behavior of teenagers after a quiet start on the tourist strip of Australia’s biggest Schoolies party.

But authorities fear that wet weather forecasts could cause headaches this week.

More than 20,000 teenagers will converge on the Gold Coast to toast the end of school, with festivities officially kicking off at the weekend.

Only six schoolboys have been arrested, most of them for public nuisance.

There were 18 arrests of schoolboys after the first weekend last year.

About 120 graduates were treated at Surfers Paradise Emergency Treatment Centre, while only seven were taken to hospital, most for drink-driving.

“But the levels of intoxications are much lower than historically – it’s really good to see,” said Justin Payne of the Queensland Ambulance Service.

“We see a lot of down-to-earth friends who are willing to help their friends – we want to reiterate that [the message]“Be safe and look out for your friends.”

Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Peter Miles said it was encouraging to see schoolboys supporting each other this year.

“We cannot fault this group at this stage,” he said.

“If you have that one friend who can be a little loose and a little stupid, watch out because he’s going to get a card.”

Only six schoolboys have been arrested, most of them for public nuisance. In contrast, last year there were 18 arrests of schoolboys after the first weekend. (Pictured: A teenager poses with two officers; there is no suggestion that he or anyone else in this story is engaging in illegal or antisocial behavior)

Even the toolies – older revelers who have not completed a school diploma – behave.

Only twenty toolies were arrested, a lot less than last year.

“I’ve done a few Schoolies myself – as a police officer, not a toolie – and the atmosphere is really good,” said Acting Supt Miles.

‘If you delve into juvenile crime all the time it can get a bit negative and jaded, so this is refreshing.

“Looking ahead, I think we have a good cohort that will pay for my pension.”

But there could be a big challenge ahead with showers forecast for this week.

Acting Supt Miles said he hoped the weather would not encourage schoolboys to drink indoors.

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

“The levels of intoxication are much lower than historically – it’s really good to see,” said Justin Payne from the Queensland Ambulance Service.

He urged students who remained indoors to be respectful neighbors and keep noise down.

“The last thing we want to see is you being evicted from your home and standing on the side of the Gold Coast highway with your bags, having to get home early,” he said.

“That’s no fun, especially when it took you thirteen years to get here.”

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

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