Students at Melbourne high school spark outrage over ‘extreme’ ban on mullets

“Why is the uniform and the appearance of students’ (sic) much more important than their education and wellbeing?” the angry students wrote.

A Melbourne school has come under fire after launching new uniform rules that students have dubbed draconian.

Catholic school, Emmanuel College, has updated its uniform policy, effectively banning nail polish and makeup. 

However, that’s not what has the students in a tizzy. 

The school has also banned “excessive hairstyles”, which include mullets and dreadlocks, prompting swift backlash from students. 

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The Melbourne school has banned "extreme hairstyles" including dreadlocks and mullets. Source: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

High school bans “extreme hairstyles” including dreadlocks and mullets

In a recent letter sent to students and parents, principal Dr Janine Biggin explained the new rules, which also forbid using anything other than a “single, simple ear-stud” in the earlobe.

 “When students make a choice not to observe these standards, they are choosing to disregard college expectations, and staff will be obliged to issue consequences to assist the students to be responsible for their choices,” read the statement.

In response, the kids wrote and sent out an open letter to parents, students and teachers about their frustration with the new rules. 

“The above expectations regarding hairstyles, makeup, nails, eyelashes, and piercings are extremely strict,” read the letter. “These aspects are important to students as it allows for self-expression, sense of self, individuality and positive self-esteem.”

The letter highlighted several elements of the new uniform policy they believe need another overhaul, particularly the school’s “extreme” and “strict” rules on hairstyles. 

“Dreadlocks are commonly worn by people of colour, and due to them being deemed as unacceptable, it raises questions and concerns of racial bias within the college,” the letter read. 

“Mullets are a popular Australian hairstyle and it’s unclear why it is deemed as unacceptable, as many students have mullet hairstyles already despite the expectations and are often not extreme.” 

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The students have launched an online petition to reconsider the uniform policy. Source: Supplied

“It’s unclear why a mullet is deemed as unacceptable”

The principal argued the policy changes were “a matter of equity and fairness that all students are held to account regarding uniform and personal grooming.” 

But this is “subject to debate and discussion” for the students and teachers, the open letter argued. 

For students, the rules are simply too extreme and take focus away from what’s important - their education. “Why is the uniform and the appearance of students’ (sic) much more important than their education and wellbeing?” the open letter read. 

They also launched an online petition, with responses including: “I’m just here to learn … my appearance shouldn’t matter,” and “Everything is so much more stricter than it used to be.”

In response, principal Dr Biggin told The Herald Sun the school maintains “clear expectations” for their students’ appearance but isn’t opposed to hearing them out. 

“As always, ongoing listening to the voice and views of our young people is also an important consideration,” she said.

Originally published as Students at Melbourne high school spark outrage over ‘extreme’ ban on mullets