Rigid rules, strict dress codes and bans: Inside Qld’s strictest schools

From students being sent home for unacceptable hair cuts, to children being told to “be silent”, we’ve gone inside some of the state’s strictest private schools.

Take a tour of some of Queensland’s strictest private schools.

• Listed: Qld’s top teachers
• Named: Fastest growing schools

From students being sent home for unacceptable hair cuts, to children being told to “be silent”, we’ve gone inside some of Queensland’s strictest private schools.

A Courier-Mail examination of individual school code of conducts across the Catholic and independent sectors has revealed stark differences in what’s expected of students.

Some schools have strict rules around uniforms and overall behaviour to help teach students discipline while others are far more lenient.

While some schools simply ask students to have neat and tidy hairstyles, others have banned certain hairstyles like buzz cuts, mohawks, bowlcuts and mullets.

There are some schools with strict rules around student relationships and whether public displays of affection on and off campus are allowed.

Here are seven schools that are very strict when it comes to towing the line.

St Edmund’s College in Ipswich. Picture: Liam Kidston

St Edmund’s College, Ipswich

Cohort of about 1050 boys

St Edmund’s students are required to maintain high dress standards as a matter of “self-respect and personal confidence”, its uniform policy states.

Students can face being put in detention during break times each day until their hair has grown to a suitable length, should it be too short. If a student’s hair is too long, they will be given 72 hours to have it cut as required.

Inappropriate hairstyles like dreadlocks, buzz cuts, undercuts, bowl cuts, tracks, tails or “unkept” hair are also not permitted.

Parents may be advised that their children will not be allowed to return to school until hair meets with the college guidelines.

St Philomena School, Park Ridge

Cohort of about 250 students

St Philomena’s says its uniform acts as a “visible sign of unity of a student body striving to achieve a common goal”, according to its parent handbook.

Its uniform minimises “disordered, vain or immodest” self-expression and eliminates social pressures with style consciousness and competition. Further, it reinforces a “sense of solidarity and belonging”.

The school also asks for the use of television, electronic games and recreational games to be regulated by parents as they “impede a student’s intellectual and spiritual progress and pose potentially severe moral risks”.

“Parents are urged to minimise exposure to these media in the home to the greatest extent possible,” the handbook read.

“Movies and TV should be thoroughly screened for content and spirit and should generally be forbidden on school nights. The school strongly discourages the use of social media.

“Students are not allowed to participate in online social networking on school computers, either at school or at home.”

Character training is also listed as an important part of the education at St Philomena School, which operates under five common standards.

Students are expected to sit and stay in seats, to be silent and “never call out but instead raise their hand and wait to speak”, to come mentally and materially prepared and to be polite.

St Pauls School at Bald Hills. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

St Paul’s School, Bald Hills

Cohort of about 1200 students

Students are asked to abide to uniform rules that reflect values of “personal dignity, respect for others and an identification with the school community,” its policy states.

Boys are unable to wear any jewellery except medical bracelets and wrist watches, however, girls are allowed to wear studs or sleeper earrings.

No makeup or nail polish is to be worn with the school uniform while boys are expected to be clean shaven and have sideburns no longer than the bottom of the ear.

“If these guidelines are not followed the students may lose privileges or be sent home to dress appropriately,” its code of conduct read.

“Special” friendships including expressions of personal intimacy are considered inappropriate and are not acceptable at the school or at school-run events.

Northpine Christian College, Dakabin

Cohort of about 900 students

The school abides by a 13-step dress standards rationale and promotes having a “smart” uniform which students can be proud to wear.

One of its rationales states that the wearing of sexually provocative dresses is prohibited for “modesty reasons” - while smart dress standards can teach students self discipline.

“Staff members will regularly check to ensure students are wearing the correct uniform in a neat and tidy manner,” its policy states.

The school has several punishments for noncompliance with uniform requirements ranging from being unable to attend class to being unable to attend the college until its rectified.

Northside Christian College at Everton Park.

Northside Christian College, Everton Park

Cohort of about 1200 students

The school’s general guidelines says students’ appearance reflects on the college’s reputation and sets a tone that aligns with its attitudes and behaviours that aspire for excellence.

Middle school college students can face being suspended for unacceptable haircuts - following failure to comply after a week.

“Students who turn up to school with an unacceptable cut or colour, or who persistently choose to wear their hair in an unacceptable manner, will be suspended,” its policy read.

Boys are expected to have no extreme length hair with sideburns not below ears and to be clean shaven.

Girls’ hair should be well groomed, tied back and of its natural colour.

Students are also advised the uniform is to be worn neatly with oversized or undersized clothing not permitted.

Boys are to have shirts tucked in and socks up with shoes clean and polished while girls’ formal skirts are to sit below the kneecap.

The entrance to Redlands College in Wellington Point. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Redlands College, Wellington Point

Cohort of about 1400 students

Redlands 54-page parent handbook states that when a uniform is worn correctly it reflects pride in the college and leads to a positive culture and spirit.

Male haircuts are expected to be a “business cut” and to be no shorter than a number 3 blade shave.

Girls are permitted to wear one pair of earrings in the lower earlobe only and are restricted to either studs or sleepers - boys however, are not allowed any piercings.

Students are also asked to come to school as their “natural selves”, free from any cosmetics or makeup. False eyelashes, false nails and nail polish are deemed not appropriate for school.

Clayfield College, Clayfield

Clayfield College.. Picture: David Clark

Cohort of about 400 students

The college says its uniform instils a sense of personal pride in the student cohort and a strong representation of the school.

Students are told they are unable to wear makeup, including false eyelashes, mascara and tanning products, while nail polish and acrylic nails are not acceptable.

The college instructs its students to have conservative hairstyles that must be kept tidy, tied up when touching the collar and fastened back away from the face.

Male students must have hair tied back and must be of natural colour at all times. Undercuts, mullets or inappropriate shavings are not allowed.