Students from a private Catholic high school have hit back at what they say is a draconian uniform policy that bans mullets, make-up and nail polish.
Angry students from Emmanuel College in Melbourne’s west slammed the uniform change as excessive and irrelevant to their educational prospects.
“Why is the uniform and appearance of students (sic) more important than their education and well-being?” they wrote in an online petition calling for “action” on the new policy.
The students took particular aim at banning mullets and dreadlocks in an open letter distributed online.
“Dreadlocks are commonly worn by people of color, and because they are considered unacceptable, they raise questions and concerns about racial bias in colleges,” they said.
“Mullets are a popular Australian hairstyle and it is not clear why they are considered unacceptable, as many students have mullets although it is expected and often not extreme.”
The school forbids students from having mullets.Getty Images
In a recent email to students, college principal Jane Biggin described mullets and dreadlocks as “unacceptably excessive hairstyles”.
The new policy, now outlined in a four-page document on the college’s website, also bans fake make-up, nail polish, fingernails and eyelashes and says earrings should be limited to “single and simple ear combs”.
“When students make the choice not to adhere to these standards, they are choosing to ignore college expectations and staff will be obligated to issue consequences to help students take responsibility for their choices,” the policy warns.
Emmanuel College in Melbourne, Australia also banned dreadlocks for its students. Instagram/@ecmelb1
Dr Biggin started as principal at Emmanuel in January 2023 after nine years at St John’s Regional College, another Catholic school in Dandenong south-east of Melbourne.
Students suggested the new principal did not allow them to live up to the school’s motto “Live to the fullest”.
“The above expectations regarding hairstyle, makeup, nails, eyelashes, and piercings are very strict,” they said.
“These aspects are important to students because they enable self-expression, sense of self, individuality and positive self-esteem.”
Emmanuel College has been contacted for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
