Teachers at one of Australia’s top private schools have slammed a move to ban water in the classroom.
Ballarat Clarendon College, a private co-ed day and boarding school in Victoria’s central highlands, enforced a ‘water trial’ for years 5-9, where students must leave their water bottles outside the classroom during lessons.
The concept was brought in to improve concentration in the classroom, but has been criticised for breaching the students’ human rights.
The state’s fifth oldest private school has since assured that students will still have access to water throughout the day at recess, lunch and between classes.
Students are also permitted to use the taps and bubblers on campus or their water bottles on their way to class.
Ballarat Clarendon College (pictured), a private co-ed day and boarding school in Victoria’s central highlands, enforced a ‘water trial’ for years 5-9, where students must leave their water bottles outside the classroom during lessons
The concept was brought in to improve concentration in the classroom, but has been widely criticised for breaching the students’ human rights (stock image)
But staff at the college have pushed back at the school’s trial ban, with one saying it’s a ‘laughable knee jerk reaction to an issue nobody has ever complained about’, reported Herald Sun.
Many staff complained they were first alerted about the trial by media reports.
One faculty member said staff were ‘outraged and uncomfortable about enforcing the ban’.
‘I’ve never spoken to a single staff member in my many years at College who has ever complained about this issue,’ the staff member said.
‘It is a policy completely divorced from the realities of teaching at College. It’s a complete non-issue.’
Adding to concerns are that classrooms are not airconditioned with temperatures soaring to over 30C in the summertime.
‘These conditions are unbearable for staff and students. Kids are lethargic, disengaged, and under duress during these times,’ the staff member said.
Staff at the college have pushed back at the school’s trial ban, with one saying it’s a ‘laughable knee jerk reaction to an issue nobody has ever complained about’
A Ballarat Clarendon College spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia students will still have access to water throughout the school day.
‘No student will go thirsty as there are ample opportunities during the day to drink water,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
The spokesperson also said the trial so far has seen improved classroom results.
‘Early feedback results indicate improved classroom climate, student learning and concentration due to reduced noise and fewer restroom breaks,’ they said.
‘The trial will run during the colder months and, as always, we remain open-minded about its benefit and impact.’
Ballarat Clarendon College was the top performing school in Victoria in 2023, with its students achieving a median VCE score of 39.
According to the school’s website, Year 5 parents pay $13,500 a year for their children to go there, which increases to more than $20,000 by Year 9.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Ballarat Clarendon College for comment regarding classroom temperatures.
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