Newington College turns boys away to the barbershop over ‘holiday haircuts’

An Inner West barber has become the last line of defence for one of the city’s priciest private schools, with Newington College offering boys an ultimatum – clean up your act, or don’t come back.

An Inner West barber has become the last line of defence for one of the city’s priciest private schools against the tyranny of trendy skin fades and mullets.

Newington College, a $38,000 per year all boys’ school, has employed the trimming talents of barber Adam Zahroon to bring its students’ unruly “holiday haircuts” back under control following a rise in uniform violations at the end of the last school term.

Newington’s Director of Students Nigel Sackar has given boys with code-violating hairstyles an ultimatum at the school gate – walk five minutes back down the road to Adam’s G&A Golden Fingers barbershop and get a $30 cut, or leave the campus and don’t return to class until your hair is fixed.

“If the student chooses option 1, the school will cover the initial cost and place the charge on the next fee statement,” Mr Sackar’s message to parents read.

“We have high expectations and we do not apologise for that.”

Barber Adam Zahroon at his Stanmore shop. The Director of Students at Newington College is sending students with unruly haircuts to him. Picture: Justin Lloyd

College guidelines stipulate a minimum number three on top, number one on the back and sides, no longer than collar-height with a “minimal use of product”, and skin fades and mullets are strictly prohibited.

Adam estimates 10 to 15 Newington students have come through his doors in the past week to have their hair cut and corrected, but most don’t put up a fight.

Newington is one of Sydney’s priciest private schools. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“The school’s looking for more formal haircuts, as people who work in an office,” Adam said.

“It’s not a specific length, it’s not a specific style … (but) they described it to me and I know exactly what they want.”

Newington isn’t the only private boys’ school cracking down on offending hairstyle, following in the footsteps of Waverley College where an on-site hairdresser will be on hand to snip off any non-compliant cuts for a $20 fee.

The school declined to comment on its relationship with Adam or how many students have been disciplined for their hairstyle, but said reminders of the hair guidelines, which are decided upon by the Student Representative Council, are sent out each term.