Emmanuel College students fight back at school’s mullet ban

A bun fight has broken out at Emmanuel College in Melbourne’s west as students rail against a school policy that bans mullets as well as make-up and nail polish.

Emmanuel College principal Dr Janine Biggin has written to students saying ‘excessive hairstyles’, including dreadlocks and mullets, are not acceptable.

Students from a Catholic college in Melbourne’s west have hit out at the school’s strict uniform policy that bans nail polish, make-up and the mullet, which they argue is an iconic Aussie hairstyle.

In a recent letter to students, Emmanuel College principal Dr Janine Biggin said “excessive hairstyles”, which include dreadlocks and mullets, were not acceptable.

“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,” she said.

Dr Biggin said that students may only wear a “single, simple ear-stud” in the earlobe only. “Other earring or sleeper styles should not be worn. Nose piercings and other piercings are not permitted. Clear studs are not permitted.

“Make-up, fake nails, nail polish, fake eyelashes/extensions are not permitted,” she added.

In an open letter to staff and the wider school community, students have fought back saying they had noticed some expectations were “becoming stricter”.

“Students are not intentionally seeking to disregard the college’s expectations; rather, they may not perceive those expectations as significant due to the lack of impact it has on their education and behaviour in school.” the letter said.

“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.

“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,” the letter added.

Students said restricting earring styles was “excessively limited”.

“Earrings have no impact on a student’s education and learning and it is their personal choice, the students’ have rights over their body and can do what they choose.

“Clear studs have also previously been allowed as a replacement for piercings other than the lobes, and it is obscure as to why they are prohibited now.

“If the college only wants one piercing in the earlobe, then clear studs should be allowed, as they are subtle and able to blend in with the natural skin tone and prevent piercing holes from closing up,” the students added.

Students have also started a change.org petition, which calls on the school to improve its uniform policy.

“Students that saw this email responded with disapproval, with comments such as; ‘Everything is so much more stricter than it used to be.’ … I’m just here to learn … my appearance shouldn’t matter’,” the petition said.

Dr Janine Biggin told the Herald Sun the college uniform policy was developed in consultation with families through the School Advisory Council.

“As a matter of equity, comfort, and safety, along with pride in the college, we maintain clear expectations for student appearance and grooming,” she said.

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

In June, a year 10 student at Mordialloc College had been ejected from class and isolated from his peers over his brightly coloured hair.

Last month, new uniform pieces at Cheltenham Secondary College had been likened to “old man’s pyjamas”.