Teachers at one of Australia’s top private schools have criticized a move to ban water in classrooms.
Ballarat Clarendon College, a private co-educational day and boarding school in Victoria’s central highlands, imposed a “water test” during years 5 to 9, where students were required to leave their water bottles outside the classroom during lessons.
The concept was introduced to improve concentration in the classroom, but has been criticized for violating students’ human rights.
Since then, the state’s fifth-oldest private school has ensured that students will continue to have access to water throughout the day during recess, lunch and between classes.
Students can also use campus faucets and bubblers or their water bottles on the way to class.
Ballarat Clarendon College (pictured), a private coeducational day and boarding school in Victoria’s central highlands, imposed a “water test” during years 5 to 9, where students must leave their water bottles outside the classroom during lessons.
The concept was introduced to improve concentration in the classroom, but has been widely criticized for violating students’ human rights (file image)
But university staff have rejected the ban on in-school testing, with one calling it a “knee-jerk and ridiculous reaction to a problem no one has ever complained about,” he reported. Herald of the sun.
Many staff members complained that media reports had alerted them to the trial.
One faculty member said staff were “outraged and uncomfortable with enforcing the ban.”
“I have never spoken to a single staff member in my many years at the university who has complained about this issue,” the staff member said.
‘It is a policy completely divorced from the realities of university teaching. It’s a complete non-problem.’
Adding to the concerns is the fact that classrooms are not air-conditioned and temperatures exceed 30°C in the summer.
‘These conditions are unbearable for staff and students. “Children are lethargic, disengaged and under pressure during these times,” the staff member said.
University staff have pushed back against the ban on in-school testing, with one calling it a “knee-jerk and ridiculous reaction to a problem no one has ever complained about.”
A Ballarat Clarendon College spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that students will continue to have access to water during the school day.
“No student will be thirsty as there are ample opportunities throughout the day to drink water,” a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
The spokesperson also said the test has so far improved results in the classroom.
“Early feedback results indicate improved classroom climate, student learning and concentration due to reduced noise and fewer bathroom breaks,” they said.
“The trial will be conducted during the colder months and, as always, we are keeping an open mind about its benefits and impacts.”
Ballarat Clarendon College was the top performing school in Victoria in 2023, with its students achieving an average VCE score of 39.
According to the school website, Year 5 parents pay $13,500 a year for their children to go there, which rises to more than $20,000 in Year 9.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ballarat Clarendon College for comment on classroom temperatures.