Uniforms, Christian values and dating: Queensland’s strictest school policies

Mohawks, mullets and perms are banned, students prevented from holding hands or hugging while turbans must be granted approval at some of Queensland’s strictest schools

Queensland students are not allowed to hold hands, wear mohawks or perms and religious items like turbans must be approved first, the strictest school code of conducts have revealed.

A Courier-Mail analysis of Queensland public, private and independent systems has shown major discrepancies from school to school.

Hairstyles including man buns, mullets and crew cuts shorter than blade three are banned at the majority of Queensland schools however, some have far more strict policies.

Some of the school policies have been labelled “ridiculous and outdated”, been the subject of parental criticism while others have rules that differ between male and female students.

Here are 11 we have found.

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Kings Christian College.

Kings Christian College

At Kings Christian College, which has campuses at Logan, Reedy Creek and Pimpama, students are prevented from holding hands, hugging or kissing.

If caught, students must undergo a 30-minute reflection time directed by a teacher during lunch where they can reflect on their behaviours.

Boys are also not permitted to wear any jewellery however, girls are allowed to wear one pair of plain gold or silver studs or sleepers.

Kings also encourages students to “use their gifts to glorify God” and to “let God’s light shine through them”.

Students are also encouraged to allow adults to enter rooms first and likewise boys allow ladies and girls to enter or exit a room ahead of themselves.

Mueller College

Rothwell’s Mueller College also has a “hands off, lips off” policy which precludes outward displays of affection between students while in attendance at school or travelling to and from school.

The Southport School

At the Gold Coast’s prestigious Southport School, extreme hairstyles including perms are not acceptable, and may result in the student being suspended.

“Southport boys are not permitted to cut their own hair or another boy’s hair,” its hairstyle policy reads.

Citipointe Christian College. Picture: Richard Walker

Citipointe Christian College

At Citipointe Christian College, which became subject to discrimination complaints first exposed by The Courier-Mail, students are “expected to behave in a manner that honours God”.

Make-up, tattoos, extreme hair cuts are not permitted at the Carindale based school while any political, religious or cultural symbols or apparel are banned.

Citipointe boys are not allowed to wear jewellery other than a watch but girls are allowed to wear one plain gold or silver stud or sleeper in each lower earlobe.

Ryan Catholic College

In Townsville, parents lead a chorus of complaints over a “ridiculous and outdated” uniform policy at Townsville’s Ryan Catholic College which prohibited the likes of mullets.

Ryan’s students are also not allowed to wear rings, lipstick, nail polish, fake nails, make-up, eyelash extensions, anklets or bracelets.

Cyrus Taniela at home with mum Wendy. Picture: Brad Fleet

Australian Christian College

Australian Christian College in the Moreton Bay region lost a case at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal after it told a Prep student he must cut his hair short in line with its policy.

Cook/Niue Islander boy Cyrus Taniela and his family claimed he had been discriminated against because in his culture he could not have his hair cut until a ceremony at the age of seven.

Nudgee College

St Joseph’s Nudgee College

GPS school Nudgee College students are allowed to wear a crucifix and watches, however, earrings, chains, piercings, wrist bands and rings are not allowed.

Nudgee students must be clean shaven and their ears are to be completely exposed, hair is not allowed to be swept behind ears and hair should “should not draw attention to the student”.

Students returning to school with hairstyles that do not meet the guidelines could be sent home and asked to not return until its “appropriate”.

The Gap State High School

In the public school system, a crackdown on shoes at The Gap State High School created headlines in 2018 after more than 100 students were put in detention for wearing incorrect shoes.

The Gap State High School put 100 students into detention for failing uniform policies in 2018.

The Gap’s uniform policy states shoes must be “formal college style only with black leather lace-ups. Street, skate, canvas or slip-ons shoes are banned. Students must be clean shaven, however a short, neatly trimmed beard or moustache is accepted.

Mohawks are banned at Hendra State School.

Hendra State School

At Hendra State School students wishing to wear jewellery that holds significant religious beliefs must negotiate it with school admin. Students are not allowed to wear hairstyles including mohawks or rats tails.

Kedron State High School

Similarly, at Kedron SHS, hijabs or turbans must be school approved before being worn.

Kedron does not allow students to wear make-up or nail polish while hair must be “neat, clean and conservatively styled. Man buns or dyed hair are not permitted.

There was controversy at Kenmore State High School when it announced that sports uniforms were not to be worn over day uniforms.

Kenmore State High School

There was also outcry at Kenmore State High School in 2018 when it announced that sports uniforms were not to be worn over day uniforms.

As part of the controversial changes which caused fractions within the school community, senior school students can only wear the sports uniform on days they have HPE or dance.