One of the students shared details of the peculiar decision in an interview with the Herald Sun: “My friend was wearing a cross and there was another girl in our class who said she found the cross really offensive and so the teacher told her to take it off. My friend’s parents, who are very religious, tried to get answers from the school and were told ‘it’s not a good look for the school’. This is supposed to be a religious school but they are listening to minority opinion rather than mainstream religious students.”

Pastor Murray Campbell criticised the school’s actions and praised students who stood up against their college administration: “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.”

Stephen Chavura, a history lecturer and author also commended and encouraged students who have taken a stand: “Wear your crosses, if you have a cross turn up to school and wear it, send a message to other students and teachers and to the school in general, that this is a Christian school, it is not a Marxist woke school. We know now that the word inclusivity means exclusivity, and the word diversity means uniformity, but I want to praise these girls for standing up to woke bullying.” 

In response, the school’s principal, Julia Shea released a statement: “We aim to apply a consistent uniform policy that prohibits visible jewellery. We do not have any students attending school wearing furry tails and ears. 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.”

A spokesperson for the school stated: “We are deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and diversity. Our Christian heritage serves as a foundation for welcoming individuals of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, fostering an environment where every student is supported in expressing their identity and beliefs.”

The main clientele of this college is the wealthy parents from Melbourne, many of whom do not even have a denomination or Christian heritage. It costs around $39,000 a year for students to attend the institute. Some believe that the school has embraced a more mainstream approach to please its wealthy, non-religious members.

Source: https://www.crosswalk.com