Pastor praises Methodist Ladies’ College Kew students for speaking out on religious cross necklaces

A Melbourne pastor has praised Methodist Ladies’ College students for speaking out about being told not to wear religious cross necklaces, dubbing the school’s actions as “bullish”.

A Melbourne pastor has praised MLC students for speaking out after being told not to wear religious cross necklaces. Picture: Wayne Taylor

A Melbourne pastor has praised Methodist Ladies’ College students for speaking out about being told not to wear religious cross necklaces, dubbing the school’s actions as “bullish”.

The female students told the Herald Sun they were discriminated against by teachers because they were told to remove or hide their cross necklaces while other students were allowed to wear furry tails and ears and rainbow symbols in uniform.

The school has admitted that its uniform policy prohibits jewellery apart from a watch and sleeper earrings, and religious crosses are not exempt from this blanket ban.

In a letter to the school community, principal Julia Shea wrote that “this policy applies equally to all students and is not related to religion or any individual’s beliefs. It ensures that every student adheres to the same standard of presentation, fostering unity within our diverse community.”

However, Baptist pastor Murray Campbell said religious students should be allowed to wear crosses because “MLC is a church school”.

Baptist priest Murray Campbell praised the students for standing up to the “bullish behaviour” of the school.

Mr Campbell, who has links to the school, said in a public blog post that the “irony of this discrimination is bleeding green all over the streets of Kew”.

“Well done to the girls who are standing up to the bullish behaviour of the school. Well done to the students who are defending their fellow students, whether they are of Christian faith or not”, Mr Campbell, lead pastor at Mentone Baptist Church, said.

Well-known psychologist and author Michael Carr-Gregg said he was “perplexed about why a religious school is preventing students from wearing a religious cross”.

“I am sure the vast majority of people would agree,” he said.

But he also acknowledged that it was “the school’s right to make its own rules”.

In the letter to the school community, Ms Shea said MLC students are not permitted to wear furry tails or ears or other non-standard items of uniform “unless special permission is granted”.

“The only exceptions to the uniform policy are items mandated by religious practice or directed by health professionals.”

While the religious practice exemption allows students to wear hijabs, for example, the students who spoke to the Herald Sun maintain it does not extend to Christian cross necklaces.

It’s understood teachers have told students wearing crosses to ensure they are on long chains so they cannot be seen.