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Melbourne Catholic school denies students forced to rip out fake eyelashes for school photos

The principal of a Catholic girls’ college in Melbourne has denied claims that students were forced to rip out their fake eyelashes for school photos.

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A Catholic girls’ college in Belgrave has denied forcing students to rip out their fake eyelashes for school photos.

Mater Christi College principal Mary Fitz-Gerald has rubbished claims girls were left with swollen and irritated eyes after being told to remove false lashes or face suspension.

Ms Fitz-Gerald said girls were not forced to rip out fake eyelashes ahead of school photos after returning to the college in Melbourne’s east after summer holidays.

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“Students and parents were reminded of our expectations regarding false eyelashes and extensions last year and again this year via email and directly with Year 12 students on Friday prior to the photo day,” she said in a statement on the school’s website.

“A small number of students chose to disregard our policy and were presented with options including seeking professional removal immediately in the local area.

“One student opted to trim her eyelash extensions and sought the assistance of a staff member.”

Parents defend the college’s strict stance on presentation, which bans eye makeup and fake eyelashes.

Mater Christi College’s uniform policy says students are only allowed to wear minimal foundation and mascara, and not eye makeup, fake tan, lipstick or eyelash extensions or fake eyelashes.

One parent told 3AW he supported the school’s position “wholeheartedly”.

“My daughter says that there was a school formal or something on but … you know the rules, you know that when you return back on day one that there are going be photos and its no different to last year and the year before.”

The controversy comes after the Trinity Grammar boys’ school deputy headmaster was last year sacked for cutting a boy’s hair, before an outpouring of support from students and parents saw him reinstated.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/news-in-education/vce/girls-not-forced-to-rip-out-fake-eyelashes-melbourne-school-says/news-story/306e7a9dd616f2cd9dff18a258900b3e