Haileybury under fire over claims it banned girl from formal
A Haileybury student says she is banned from bringing a female friend to the formal because they are friends and not in “approved” same-sex relationship.
Education
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A private school is under fire over claims it banned a girl from inviting a female friend to the school formal.
Kylie Reis said Haileybury withdrew the ticket for her daughter Gidget, who graduated from the school last year, to attend the $125-a-head gala at the Sofitel on Thursday night.
She said Gidget was delighted to be asked by a current year 12 student because last year’s formal had been cancelled due to the pandemic.
The pair are not in a relationship.
It is understood the school allows students in “approved” same-sex relationships to attend but have a “dates, not mates” approach to attendance.
In a letter to Haileybury on Monday, Ms Reis said she could not understand the school’s reasoning.
“It is my understanding that Haileybury’s rule is you cannot bring a friend but it is OK for a girl to bring a boy as a friend,” she said.
“In this day and age of inclusivity I find it extremely disappointing for Haileybury to take this stance and knowing it is an ex-Haileyburian who was in the only year of students to miss out on any formal that you would not be excited for her to be able to experience one.”
Ms Reis said Gidget had planned to wear her dress from last year’s cancelled formal.
She had booked an appointment for her hair and was looking for a make-up artist when the ban was announced.
Ms Reis said plenty of the girls would be inviting boys who were friends.
Gidget’s sister Hayley, who attended the school until 2013, said she was disappointed with what seemed like a traditional take on who could attend.
She said girls might feel pressured to ask a boy when they did not want to, and might feel more comfortable taking a friend who was a girl.
Hayley said she understood gay students wanting to take a same-sex partner had to get approval.
She said it sent the wrong message about only heterosexual couplings being acceptable.
Ms Reis said students would be inviting partners outside of the school and older than current year 12 students.
“What happens if you are a girl or a boy who is gay and haven’t come out and you have to get permission from the school and tell the parents when you may not be ready to do so?” she said.
Haileybury head of senior girls Helen Wadden said the event was for current year 12 students.
Ms Wadden said the Old Haileybury Association was planning an event for 2020 students.
Haileybury, which offers a parallel education with girls and boys on campus but only mixing for certain activities and classes, has been progressive on gender issues.
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