Students at a selective school cried after being singled out for their skin color and religion on school picture day, furious parents claim.
Two students at Melbourne Girls’ School were allegedly told they were “too dark” to have their photo taken on February 22.
One girl wearing a hijab was allegedly ordered to remove her long sleeves, while another student was told to tuck her cross necklace into her shirt, parents claimed.
A Victorian Department of Education spokesperson said the school “categorically denies claims that students were racially vilified or excluded from taking photographs because of their complexion or appearance.”
“To suggest that this was the case is completely false,” the spokesperson told WhatsNew2Day Australia.
Furious parents of Melbourne Girls’ School students (pictured) have claimed some students were singled out for their religion and skin color during school picture day in February.
Two students were told they were “too dark” to have their photo taken, while another girl, who wears a hijab, was told to take off her top and show her arms (file image)
Several parents shared their anger over the alleged treatment in a WhatsApp group, the Herald of the sun reports.
Messages from parents, seen by the publication, say the school’s actions were “discourteous…militaristic” and similar to “bullying.”
One parent claimed that “girls who didn’t wear makeup were excluded from sibling photos because they had dark skin, dark eyebrows, big lips, or long, natural eyelashes.”
Another claimed that a girl wearing a hijab was told to “take off her top” and show her arms.
“When they protested that it was a cultural requirement to cover their arms, they were told to wear a sweater on a 30C day,” the father wrote.
Some students were reportedly “left in tears” after being singled out for their makeup and piercings.
Students and families were reminded of the uniform policy prior to picture day and students who did not comply with the policy were warned that they would not have their photo taken.
This led to some students being asked to remove heavy makeup that day.