Yes, teachers generally must allow students to use the toilet as it's a basic health and dignity need, though they can set reasonable rules, like waiting until after a short activity or having a buddy system, but they cannot deny access for extended periods, especially if a student has a medical need or risks injury/distress. If a teacher is being unreasonable, students should speak to parents or the principal.
Short answer: Yes--teachers generally may refuse a bathroom or drink request, but that refusal must respect school policy, student health needs, and legal protections. Refusals should be reasonable, documented by policy, and not arbitrary or discriminatory.
But allowing reasonable toilet access is a basic health and dignity issue – and it sits squarely within your legal duties in Australia.
I would recommend speaking to the teacher privately at lunch or between classes. Explain your anxiety and that you are not trying to take advantage of bathroom privileges. Let them know that when you ask, you really need to go and that it embarrasses you to be asked.
Short answer: teachers restrict bathroom breaks for institutional, instructional, and behavioral-control reasons--often because building-level policies, scheduling constraints, and accountability pressures incentivize limiting interruptions.
There is no government guidance on this, so it is up to the school to decide what their rules are. If you are not happy with a school's toilet policy, you should first discuss your child's specific needs with their teacher or headteacher to see if you can work out a solution.
Children with ADHD are significantly more likely to have constipation and fecal incontinence. Medical therapy for ADHD does not impact visit rates for defecation disorders.
The 70/30 rule in teaching generally means students should be actively engaged (talking, practicing, applying) for 70% of the time, while the teacher provides instruction, feedback, and prompts for the remaining 30%, shifting focus from teacher-led lecturing to student-centered application for better learning and fluency, especially in language learning. It's a guideline to maximize student participation, fostering deeper understanding through practice rather than passive listening.
Say: "Excuse me Mr/Mrs (your teachers name) but I really need to use the restroom." If they say no, then say: "I respect your answer but I need your permission and I cannot absolutely wait any longer." If they say no still, go to the restroom and call your parent or guardian and let them know what you had to do.
In most cases, private businesses have the discretion to refuse toilet access to non-customers. This lack of a statutory right to access toilets in private establishments can lead to uncomfortable situations, but it's within the legal rights of the business owners.
(1) A person commits an offence if the person urinates in a public place (other than in a toilet). Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.
Our wastewater pipes are only designed to carry pee, poo and toilet paper. However, unflushable items like tissues, wet wipes, paper towels and toys keep making their way into our wastewater system. These build up to cause blockages, increasing the risk of pipe bursts and overflows.
According to Youth Law Australia, “Each school makes their own rules and sets reasonable punishments for breaking these rules”. The teacher is within their administrative right to hold students after the bell if it's to the benefit of their education, or simply as a punishment for misbehaviour.
'Excuse me but where is the loo? ' 'Could you tell me where the restroom is please? '
Ireland's Department of Education offers detailed guidance for the design of school lavatories. But akin to the employer-employee situation, there seem to be no laws mandating how schools should treat toilet access for pupils outside of scheduled break times.
"Can I go to the restroom?" is less formal but still widely used in everyday conversation. The word "can" implies asking about ability or capability. While it may not be as formal as using "may," it is still considered appropriate in most informal or casual situations.
A ghost wipe is when the stool passes so efficiently and cleanly that it leaves virtually no residue, making the wiping process almost unnecessary. While it might seem trivial, this kind of clean pass is a strong indicator of a well-functioning digestive system, particularly a well-fibered diet.
Children can go to school if their only symptom is a stomachache. It could just be constipation or nerves. Kids who have stomachaches associated with vomiting, diarrhea or fever should see a doctor. Sharp stomach pain and a rigid belly can be signs of severe constipation, appendicitis or a bowel obstruction.
"Pardon me. I'm going to the restroom " - polite. "Gotta hit the crapper" - not polite.
To keep students engaged, you must win the battle for their attention every 10 minutes. I call this the 10-minute rule. Every 10 minutes I use what I call a “hook” to refocus my audience on my topic or message. I also organize my material in a hierarchical fashion, because that is how the brain processes information.
Description
Round Robin is an activity in which ideas evolve as they are passed from person to person. Sometimes the collective voice of several speaks more powerfully than a single voice alone. Round Robin allows for the generation of fresh ideas by providing a format for group authorship.
The ADHD "2-Minute Rule" suggests doing any task taking under two minutes immediately to build momentum, but it often backfires by derailing focus due to weak working memory, time blindness, and transition difficulties in people with ADHD. A better approach is to write down these quick tasks on a separate "catch-all" list instead of interrupting your main work, then schedule specific times to review and tackle them, or use a slightly longer timeframe like a 5-minute rule to prevent getting lost down "rabbit holes".
The Ring of Fire ADHD subtype receives its name due to the “ring of fire” pattern of increased brain activity seen on the SPECT scans. It is characterized by intense emotions and sensory sensitivities — symptoms that may cause it to be mistaken for bipolar disorder or autism.