Mullet ban: School’s stance on haircut divides Gold Coast parents

How un-Australian is this? A school’s call to ban the mullet in its uniform policy has debate among parents raging – with some hilarious results. Have your say.

A STATE primary school’s decision to bring in a “no mullet” uniform policy has divided Gold Coast parents, with some praising the school’s stance and others slamming it.

A post on a Gold Coast community Facebook page sparked the fierce debate when a parent asked whether their child’s school could tell them how to style their hair.

“The uniform policy (at their school) has been changed this week to include ‘no mullets’,” the anonymous poster wrote.

“Can they seriously tell kids how to have their hair? It’s a tidy mullet and much better than some of the long and shaved styles at the school.

“A teacher has told him he won’t be able to participate in the swimming etc. if doesn’t cut it.

“I think it’s a bit much, especially at two days notice.”

The post attracted almost 300 comments, with most shaming the now trendy, and formerly “bogan” haircut made popular in the 1980s.

“Plenty of private schools have hair rules but never heard of it in a state school,” Emma de Snoo commented.

“Saying that, I’d probably ban my kids from the house if they came home with a mullet.”

Skye Hobbs said a simple haircut was not “hurting anybody”.

“My son has a mullet and we also received a letter saying they aren’t allowed,” she said.

“We won’t be cutting it. He is allowed to make a choice about the way he looks.”

Katarina Ballantine said all schools should enforce a mullet ban.

“Mullets are disgusting,” she wrote.

Zeppelin Barbers owner Jase Alpen said the mullet trend was booming, with his Mermaid Beach barbershop getting multiple customer requests for the haircut each day.

“They’re so popular at the moment,” Mr Alpen said.

“Since Covid, a lot of the AFL boys have been shaving their own head (into a mullet), because it’s quite easy and a lot of people can do them at home.

“Half the AFL boys playing at the moment have them.”

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While it’s not clear which Gold Coast state school brought in the mullet ban, it is understood many schools on the Glitter Strip have a similar rule.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said local school communities, including P & Cs and principals, were best placed to determine individual school uniform policies.

“When developing or reviewing their school’s student dress code, principals consult with students, school staff, parents and the P & C,” she said.

“Should parents or students have queries about their school’s dress code they are encouraged to discuss these with the principal and the P & C.”

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