Girton Grammar School in Bendigo rejects former student from event for ‘inappropriate’ clothing

UPDATE: THE principal of an elite private school says a gay former student was refused entry to a school event due to a strict dress code the event’s invitation makes no mention of. HAVE YOUR SAY

Mr Maruff said Angus should have been aware of the strict dress code. Picture: Girton Grammar School

A BOARD member of an elite private school has quit after his gay son was refused entry to a school event for “inappropriate” attire.

Christopher McCormack resigned from the Girton Grammar School board in Bendigo in disgust following the rejection of his son, Angus, from the school’s annual Foundation Day Service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on May 6.

A social media storm has erupted over the incident after Angus, who graduated from the school in 2013 as its school captain, took to his Facebook page to tell his followers about his “outrageous and disgraceful” mistreatment.

Have your say: Do you think Mr McCormack’s outfit is appropriate?

“Now, those who know me are fully aware that I am openly gay and very confident in my often ‘bold’ choices of fashion,” he said, adding that he was originally considering “rocking a dress and some killer heels” to the event.

“However, I decided to ‘tone down’ my appearance and be respectful to their wishes.

“Therefore, I decided to wear minimal makeup, a single small earring, neat black leather pants, a white shirt with a black bow tie and black designer jacket.

“A suit by any definition of the word, although not in the typical commercial fabrics.”

Angus McCormack was kicked out for wearing this outfit. Picture: Facebook

Girton Grammar headmaster Matthew Maruff backed the decision of his staff and told the Herald Sun the event had a strict dress code and Angus did not meet that.

“These are our standards and I am not going to apologise for that,” Mr Maruff said.

But the event’s invitation (below) makes no mention of a dress code outside of present students wearing “full winter uniforms”.

Bendigo's Girton Grammar School's Foundation Day invitation, which makes no mention of a dress code outside present students. Picture: Supplied

Soon after arriving at the Cathedral, Angus said he was asked to leave by the deputy head of the school because he wasn’t dressed appropriately.

The RMIT student promptly departed, and despite commitments to perform at the service, his father also left.

“My family and I are incredibly hurt by the actions which have been exercised against me,” Angus said.

“This is eating away at the core of who I am, not to mention the utter sense of despair I have suffered in being turned away by the school with which I was once so proud to be associated with.”

On graduating in 2013 after seven years at the school, Angus told his local paper: “This school has taught me how to be a leader and to have confidence.”

Within hours of telling of his experience on Facebook, his post was shared more than 1800 times and attracted hundreds of comments from people offering their support.

“What a disgrace this sort of discrimination is still so rampant,” Simone Morrison wrote.

Cathy Moyle added: “Disgraceful! It’s 2016 not 1950!!”

Matthew Maruff. Picture: Girton Grammar School

Mr Maruff would not elaborate on why Angus’s outfit was inappropriate, only saying that it did not fit the attire expected to be worn at an event hosted in a church.

“It’s not about self expression — he got it wrong on the night,” Mr Maruff said.

He said suggestions Angus was excluded because of his sexuality is “just rubbish”.

Mr Maruff described Angus as a “great leader” and “much loved” student of the school.

But he said his seven-year attendance at the school should have made him aware of their expected and strict dress code which was in line with the school’s core values.

Board members told the Herald Sun said they could not comment on the matter.

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