A devastating tragedy unfolded last Wednesday evening when a Year 12 student from Wellington Point State High School fell to his death from a building roof in front of approximately twenty classmates. The incident occurred during the school's end-of-year formal celebrations at a venue in Brisbane's east.
Emergency Response and School Reaction
Emergency services were swiftly called to the scene, but the teenager, whose identity has been withheld, could not be saved. In the days following the distressing event, school officials moved to address the profound impact on the school community. A letter was issued to parents, obtained by the Daily Mail, from the school administration.
The correspondence, written with a 'heavy heart', confirmed the student's passing and made a specific request. It urged parents to discourage their children from posting tributes or comments about the incident on social media. The school asked for support in monitoring young people's online activity in the subsequent days.
A Plea for Privacy and Ongoing Support
The school's letter explained its position, stating that the most respectful way to support the grieving family and friends was by maintaining their privacy and avoiding the spread of information and opinions online. The institution confirmed that support services would be available for students and staff for as long as required.
Despite the tragedy, the school's public-facing communications continued. Photos from the formal and subsequent graduation events were uploaded to the school's Facebook page in the following week. In one poignant image from before the incident, a 'Class of 2025' T-shirt featured the deceased student's name next to a hand-drawn illustration.
Official Statements and Parental Concerns
A spokesperson for Queensland Police confirmed that a report would be prepared for the coroner, describing the death as non-suspicious. Both the school principal, Robyn Burton-Ree, and the Queensland Department of Education declined to comment further on the matter.
The school's approach has generated mixed reactions, with one anonymous parent accusing the institution of attempting to cover up the incident. This highlights the challenging balance schools must strike between managing a crisis, protecting a family's privacy, and maintaining open communication with the wider community.
If this has raised any issues for you, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for confidential crisis support.
