Mark Morris, a father from the Gold Coast, has made the decision to remove his son from a prestigious private school following a disagreement over the boy’s hair. The conflict arose when the school instructed the child to cut his hair, prompting Morris to file a complaint with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal against A.B. Paterson College.
Morris argued that the school’s demand amounted to sex discrimination, as it imposed stricter appearance standards on boys compared to girls. He contended that this restriction infringed upon his son’s human rights and personal autonomy.
Despite Morris’s efforts, QCAT Senior Member Ann Fitzpatrick declined to issue an interim order, leaving the child obligated to comply with the school’s directive. Faced with the emotional and financial toll of pursuing the complaint further, Morris ultimately withdrew it and opted to homeschool both of his children instead.
The dispute stemmed from the school’s uniform policy, which Morris claimed failed to account for gender equality and inclusion. He submitted a proposal to revise the policy in June 2023, but received a delayed response in November, leaving insufficient time to address the matter before the school year’s end.
Joanne Shehy, principal of A.B. Paterson College, defended the school’s stance, asserting that their uniform policy aimed to promote respect and unity among students. She emphasized that while adjustments could be made for factors such as race, culture, religion, or gender identity, no such accommodation was deemed necessary in this case.
Meanwhile, similar controversies have emerged in Melbourne private schools, with parents criticizing what they perceive as outdated and discriminatory hairstyle rules for male students. One mother highlighted inconsistencies in policy application between boys and girls.
Mark Morris urged stakeholders to advocate for gender equality in schools and reassess funding allocations, citing concerns over discrepancies between public and private school regulations.
In essence, the clash between Morris and A.B. Paterson College underscores broader debates surrounding uniform policies, gender equality, and parental rights in educational settings.
