But the same can’t be said for older, non-school-leaving “toolies.”

Gold Coast acting chief superintendent Rhys Wildman said 21 post-secondary school- aged people were arrested over the weekend. This compared to an “incredible record” of just six school leavers.

“There is a change and it’s a really positive change. We’re not sure why, but it’s good news,” Wildman said.

“Since 2017, of the schoolies operations recorded here on the Gold Coast, our figures so far have revealed that this cohort of schoolies are actually the best.”

Gold Coast Schoolies Advisory Group chairman Mark Reaburn said about 57 per cent of school leavers were aged under 18, with celebrations taking place amid a “robust” police and volunteer support network.

The number of schoolies on the Gold Coast alone is expected to top 20,000, with the festival thrown open for the first time in two years after official celebrations were called off under pandemic restrictions in 2020.

Despite many interstate school leavers being locked out due to border closures, the number this year will exceed the 15,000 schoolies who attended the last event in 2019.

Support services have established medical tents for school leavers, with 1,000 volunteers to be on the ground, and an estimated 60,000 pancakes to be cooked, and 5 tonnes of red frogs to be handed out.

Wildman said just three schoolies were issued with infringement notices at the weekend, along with 12 non-school leavers.

Police issued zero infringement notices in relation to alcohol to schoolies across the weekend, but 12 to non-school leavers, he said.

“I know we’re only heading into day three of seven, but there’s been really positive interactions not only between schoolies and police but among schoolies themselves.

“It’s also some relief for parents who may have concerns about sending their children down to schoolies.”

Wildman said police stopped 213 school leavers and tipped their alcohol out.

“While that sounds like a lot, it is not really unusual when you consider the type of celebrations,” he said.

Police are also stepping up their use of metal detectors in the “safe night precincts” of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach with 24 hour “wanding” operations during schoolies.

Wildman said 104 individuals were wanded over the weekend.

He said the figures and behaviours over the weekend were a good sign.

“We’ve seen lots of examples over the weekend of mates looking after mates and even elements of the crowd, groups of youths, looking after people not even associated with their friendship circle,” he said.

“It’s really positive to see those interactions.”