Daylesford student suspended for planking

REGIONAL schools are bracing after a series of planking incidents at Daylesford Secondary College led to the suspension of at least three students, including the vice-captain.The practice of lying flat in unusual places then posting a photo on the internet has gone viral in the past weeks, and has alarmed school staff after a death in Queensland.Daylesford Secondary College vice-captain Chris Stone-Meadows said yesterday he planked across two shipping containers, the school’s outdoor pizza oven and across the cubicles in the girls’ toilets on Monday.Mr Stone-Meadows, 17, said he was on a warning from the school because of earlier misbehaviour but because the school had no anti-planking policy his suspension and the loss of his vice-captaincy was unfair. “It’s a great school and there are some great staff members there ... I understand why they have suspended me but I think it’s an over-reaction,” he said.“I think they were trying to send a message to the whole student body of zero tolerance. I would’ve backed them 100 per cent on rules against planking if they had just talked to me first.”Mr Stone-Meadows said planking was a way of letting off steam for students.“It gets your imagination ticking over, seeing places where you can do it. You see your whole world differently. It’s a pretty good stress reliever and you put it on the internet and so many people will comment how funny it is. It makes you feel good, makes you feel like a comedian.”Mr Stone-Meadows said none of his planks had been dangerous: the shipping containers were only about 60 centimetres apart and the toilet cubicles weren’t occupied at the time.He said the school staff had since raised with him occupational health and safety issues relating to the shipping containers and that the oven was out of bounds. He said he was unsure if he would return to the school to complete year 12. His father, Rick Meadows, said they were investigating education alternatives and he had spoken with his son about safe planking.“Year 12 kids have it tough enough and if they can do something harmless to relieve a bit of stress, then what’s the problem?” he said.Assistant principal Phil White said safety was a school priority. “Any dangerous behaviour, including planking, particularly in light of this week’s tragedy, is simply not on,” he said. “We are simply concerned about the safety of this student, and all of our students and want to support them in making responsible decisions about their own safety and the safety of others.”