A prestigious school has been accused of “endangering students’ rights” after a controversial decision to ban water bottles in classrooms sparked outrage.
Ballarat Clarendon College, a private co-educational day and boarding school in Victoria’s central highlands, has imposed a “water test” for years 5 to 9, where students must keep water out of the classroom during lessons.
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 are allowed to use campus faucets and bubblers or their water bottles on the way to class.
“No student will be thirsty as there are ample opportunities throughout the day to drink water,” a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
Ballarat Clarendon College (pictured) is trialling a ban on water bottles during classes during the “colder months” for Year 5 to 9 students.
Students with medical conditions and who require access to water at all times are exempt from testing.
“Our secondary school principal spoke to students in Years 5 to 9 (aged 11 to 15) about the test on Friday and encouraged them to speak to him if they felt they needed to have their water bottle with them,” he said. the school. aggregate.
“The trial will be conducted during the colder months and, as always, we are keeping an open mind about its benefits and impacts.”
Not all students agreed with the new rule.
An anonymous post shared online claimed that the ban had “outraged” many students at the school.
One student argued that they were only given a short break between lessons.
“Banning water is putting students’ rights at risk and for such a prestigious school, it seems the focus is not on students’ wellbeing but on their VCE exam numbers,” they wrote.
Students must leave their water bottles outside the classroom during the lesson and can only access water during breaks and between classes (file image)
One teacher commented under the post that water bottles in the classroom were often a distraction.
‘(I) got tired of throwing bottles, kids getting hit with flying bottles and spilling Stanley cups. “My kids all know that water bottles should be in bags and they can take an occasional sip if they need to, but bottles on the desk… no way,” they said.
A spokesperson for Ballarat Clarendon College said the trial has so far improved outcomes in classrooms.
“Early feedback results indicate improved classroom climate, student learning and concentration due to reduced noise and fewer bathroom breaks,” they said.
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.
The school insisted that students can use the school bubblers and their water bottles between classes (file image)
