Cardijn College principal Paul Rijken apologises for staff member’s comments on cross-dressing

An email sent to Cardijn College Year 12 students saying “men do not wear dresses in normal, everyday life” has prompted an apology from the principal.

Cardijn College principal Paul Rijken has apologised to anyone offended by an email sent to Year 12 students, banning them from cross-dressing at an upcoming school event.

In a letter to parents, Dr Rijken “apologised unreservedly”, saying the Noarlunga Downs school was a place of inclusion where “everyone is accepted and diversity is celebrated”.

“You may be aware of some publicity surrounding an email that was sent to our current Year 12 students in relation to an event that is to take place on a school reflective retreat,” Dr Rijken said in the letter.

“The intention of the email was never to offend or cause distress to anyone, rather to communicate the dress code for the occasion, a school event.

“Without this important background information, it is easy for this email to be taken out of context.”

The email sent by a staff member to Year 12 students said teachers had become aware that some students were planning on turning the “ties and tiaras” retreat into “a bit of cross-dressing”.

“Be very clear – Cardijn College does not allow cross-dressing at any school-related event,” it said.

“I am not talking about a girl wearing a tie or a boy wearing a tiara.

“I am talking about boys wearing women’s clothes and vice versa.”

Cardijn College principal Dr Paul Rijken says “everyone is accepted and diversity is celebrated” at his Noarlunga Downs school. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

It was followed with another note, prompted by some people seeking clarification around the rules.

“Women wear shirts and ties in normal life,” it said.

“That will not be a problem on retreat. Don’t bother accusing me of being sexist, but men do not wear dresses in normal, everyday life.

“That will not be acceptable on retreat.”

The emails have been criticised for promoting old-fashioned views.

Dr Rijken said in his letter that Cardijn College, as a Catholic school, was “proud to have robust processes in place for supporting each and every student to feel safe to be themselves”.

The Advertiser contacted the school for comment and was sent Dr Rijken’s letter to parents.

Several parents and former students told media outlets the senior teacher who sent the email was a caring man who supported students and abhorred discrimination.