Students left humiliated after they were denied a school photo because of their nose piercing

Hoppers Crossing Secondary College will revise its uniform policy following complaints from parents whose kids were denied the opportunity to have their photo taken because of a nose piercing.

Hoppers Crossing Secondary College is reviewing its uniform policy after some students were denied a photo as they had a nose piercing. Picture: Josie Hayden

Disgruntled parents have condemned a high school’s uniform policy as “old and outdated” after at least five students were denied having their school photo taken because they had a nose piercing.

A student from Hoppers Crossing Secondary College told the Herald Sun she felt humiliated when the school gave her an ultimatum to cover her nose stud on photo day earlier this month.

“My teacher told me to take out my piercing otherwise I wouldn’t be allowed to have my photo done,” she said.

“I told her I couldn’t take it out because it was fresh and might get infected or close up, so then the teacher said I wasn’t allowed to have my photo taken.”

The student said she was given the option to wear a face mask during the photo to cover her nose, but felt “there was no point as I wouldn’t be able to see my face”.

Several other parents took to social media to express their child had experienced the same issue, with some saying students offered to use a bandaid to cover their piercing but were still denied a photo.

Meanwhile, other parents shared their children were told they had to take off earrings and necklaces as such jewellery wasn’t part of the school policy.

“I called the school the evening (after school photos) and asked what the problem was,” one dad, whose daughter was denied a photo, said.

“They said ‘it’s against the school policy’ and I basically got nowhere.”

A source said the school leaders had become “heavy handed” regarding uniform in recent months. Picture: Josie Hayden

According to the school’s uniform policy, jewellery could only be worn if it was of a religious nature or earrings were “studs or sleepers”.

“Students arriving at school with additional fashion accessories’ (ie facial piercings , necklaces, bracelets, fashion earrings, etc) will be asked by a member of the teaching staff to remove the item(s),” the policy read.

“(This is) in accordance with occupational health and safety regulations and they will be returned at the end of the school day.”

A source at the school said the school leaders had become “heavy handed” in recent months about uniform.

Following a number of complaints about the incident, Acting Principal Rod Kendall told parents the school is reviewing its uniform policy and will give students with piercings another opportunity to have their photos taken.

“During our 2024 school photo days … some students missed having their photo taken due to illness, absence or not adhering to our current Uniform Policy,” he wrote in a letter to parents.

“I understand some students will be upset that they were unable to participate in school photos. Students can arrange to have an individual photo taken at the school or at the photographer’s studio.

“The school is undertaking a review of our uniform policy and I will update you with the outcome of this as soon as possible.”

A Department of Education spokesman said the school was aware of the complaints raised from students and parents in relation to the matter.

“The school is arranging a further opportunity for students to have school photos taken,” he said.