Student banned from HSC study session due to her hair colour
June 17, 2014 - 4:42PM
A Sydney schoolgirl was banned from going on an excursion and threatened to be removed from a school photograph because her hair was dyed a bright colour.
The year 12 student at Concord High School was excluded from attending a HSC English study day with her classmates on Friday because her hair was coloured pink and she was told it broke the school's uniform policy.
The school's principal, Jacqueline Koob, earlier this year threatened to stop the same student from being in a school photograph. The student also rejected an offer to have her hair-colour digitally altered.
A member of the school community, who asked not to be named, said students had been individually approached in the playground and told their hair colour went against school rules. It’s understood that during a recent school assembly, students were also warned not to dye their hair bright colours.
"It's a rather outrageous situation ... Taking students out of a HSC experience for hair colour just seems so over the top," the person said.
The student, who was banned from attending the Advanced English day course, had to remain at school with those who hadn't paid for the excursion or didn't return permission slips.
A uniform policy published on the school’s website makes no mention of dying hair bright colours, which is often disallowed in independent schools but less commonly in public schools.
However, after the Herald made enquiries about the incidents a new policy went live online, which included the new line that "hair should be of a natural shade".
Parents and teachers are furious about the new rule and say they haven't been consulted, despite a Department of Education policy that any school uniform requirements must be "formally endorsed by the school community before implementation".
The president of the school’s Parents and Citizens Association, Michelle Schofield, said the ban was "ridiculous" and an attempt to "mimic private school standards".
She said she understood the desire to maintain "high standards" but there had been no consultation with the school community and she had been contacted by concerned and upset students.
"My take would be the first thing to do would be to look at community involvement and see what the community would prefer before just coming out and being autocratic and making a decision," she said.
"The kids who have dyed their hair, they have parents too. It's not just wayward kids. This isn't the 19th century, you get a range of viewpoints in the community."
Ms Koob was contacted for comment.
A Department of Education and Communities spokesman said: "The department has recently been made aware of this matter and is working with the family, student and school to resolve the concerns raised."
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/student-banned-from-hsc-study-session-due-to-her-hair-colour-20140617-zsatd.html
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