Parents raise concerns over ‘very frustrating’ policies on boys’ haircuts at private schools

A crackdown on certain hairstyles at some of Melbourne’s top schools has sparked a backlash, with one mum asking “what does that do to their already delicate self-confidence?”

Private boys’ schools are cracking down on popular mullet and shaved fade hairstyles, prompting parents to claim their sons should be able to ­express their “personality”.

Frustrated barbers are also hitting back, one wondering “how hair affects learning”.

Five years on from the Trinity Grammar haircut that ­almost ended the career of a deputy principal, grooming battles are heating up as schools ban “locs” (dreadlocks), tracks (shaved paths through hair) and fades (fading of hair from shaver cut zero).

Others outlaw No. 1 and No. 2 shaver cuts, sideburns longer than the earlobes, the use of gel and mousse, and boys wearing hair accessories and ties.

A haircut saga almost ended the career of Trinity Grammar deputy headmaster Rohan Brown. Picture: Aaron Francis

Trinity Grammar students staged a protest over the sacking of Mr Brown. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Even schools such as Marcellin College, which allows fade haircuts following a suggestion from student leaders in 2022, have come under fire for sending boys home or telling them when to shave.

One parent said the Marcellin policy was inconsistent, confusing and “basically a suspension for the minor offence of expressing their personality through their haircut”.

An image showing the hair standards at Marcellin College.

Marcellin College allows fade haircuts following a suggestion from student leaders in 2022.

A parent has called Marcellin’s policy inconsistent and confusing.

The school has come under fire for sending boys home or telling them when to shave.

“If a teenager is made to feel their appearance is not OK, or they are forced to start shaving before they’re ready, or a forced haircut makes them feel ugly, what does that do to their already delicate self-confidence?” she said.

Another mother, whose year 11 son attends a private school in Melbourne’s southeast, said policies were outdated.

“The school wouldn’t allow my son to have his bleached blond hair and it shows the policies are inconsistently applied between boys and girls,” she said.

“It was very frustrating, and it’s time for schools to look at their policies seriously as it’s not one size fits all.”

Marcellin College acting principal Nick Moloney said the school had high standards.

“These standards are made clear to all prospective families through an interview process, and further in our enrolment documents that are signed and agreed to by all parents or carers,” he said.

Frustrated barbers are hitting back at schools’ haircut policies. Picture: iStock

Marcellin College acting principal Nick Moloney said the school had high standards.

Schools with similar policies include St Patrick’s College Ballarat, where students who have facial hair are required to shave. Boys are also advised to check with the school before changing their hairstyles.

At Northside Christian College, Brighton Grammar and Oxley Christian College, hairstyles should not be shorter than a No. 3 comb.

Punishment includes students being sent home.

Camberwell barber Justin Ristevski said mullets and skin fades were popular requests from teenagers copying the hairstyles of sports stars such as Collingwood midfielder Nick Daicos and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.

“I don’t think there should be a restriction on how kids have their hair,” he said.

“The shorter the hair, the more maintained it looks, and I’m not sure how their hair ­affects their learning.”