Fremantle Christian College Hammered By Parents Of Former Students For Infringement Policy Skirt

Parents unleash on Christian college and its ‘trivial’ expulsions as kids are punished for wearing necklaces or the wrong socks and for forgetting their diaries or to tuck their shirt in
* Parents to sue a West Australian school after they expelled their daughter
* They say Fremantle Christian College expelled her for her skirt being too short
* Another parent of a former student said her son was treated unfairly
* The school has strict policies but say their rules are the same as many schools

A parent whose daughter was expelled from school because her skirt was ‘too short’ says she is planning to sue the education institution over the ‘trivial’ decision.

Fremantle Christian College, south of Perth, stipulates that once 25 infringements have been reached, a student is expelled.

Some of the offences considered a breach at the school include; chewing gum, wearing a necklace, not completing homework and forgetting to bring their diary to class.

Now parents of students who have been expelled are fighting back, claiming the ‘trivial matters’ their children were kicked out of school over deserved to be challenged in court.

However, the college has stood firm on its policies, saying its rules are no different to many around the country.

A parent of a schoolgirl who was expelled by Fremantle Christian College because her skirt was ‘too short’ says she is planning to sue the private school Fremantle Christian College in Western Australia stipulates once 25 infringements have been reached a student is expelled. Some of the offences considered a breach at the school include; chewing gum, wearing a necklace, not completing homework and not bringing a diary to class In November, a Year 9 student was expelled after reaching her 25th infringement – many of which were regarding her uniform, The West Australian reported.

The former student’s first infringement was on February 9 because her skirt was deemed not the appropriate length.

Over the next few months, she was also reprimanded for not wearing her tie correctly and not having her school hat.

The girl’s father told The West his daughter was then punished in June for having the top button missing behind her tie.

‘Penalising students multiple times for random things really is a massive distraction from the student’s ability to study,’ the former student’s father said.

‘She was conscious of her body shape, which would make her skirt ride up and she would have to pull it down to avoid attention — she felt self‐conscious when being looked at by male teachers.’

In the months that followed, she continued to receive infringements for her tie, hat, skirt and for wearing jewellery.

On November 3, she was handed yet another infringement for her skirt being too short.

When the student said the deputy principal had earlier said the length was OK she was accused of lying, with the 25th infringement leading to the school expelling her.

In November, a Year 9 student was expelled after reaching her 25th infringement – many of which were regarding her uniformHer parents said they were looking at legal action against the school, alleging her expulsion was unlawful.

They believe the school were in breach of the Equal Opportunity Act and acted in a discriminatory manner.

‘Parents and students are aware that there are limits to misbehaviour and normally you would think 25 infringements was adequate and fair,’ the father said.

‘However, my problem is that the infringements are applied for absolutely trivial matters or matters that should not be in the category of infringements, particularly the issue of uniforms.’

Another parent of a former student said the college was not accommodating of any students that weren’t perfect.

The boy’s mother said they didn’t support him during times he was distressed, despite a psychologist telling the school his PTSD caused many of the digressions.

In July, the boy was disciplined for saying ‘inappropriate things’ to fellow students.

Two days later he was expelled for another breach.

Another parent of a former student said they didn’t support him during times he was distressed, despite a psychologist telling the school his PTSD caused many of the digressions ‘There were multiple times where he was begging for support and they penalised him,’ his mother said.

The College’s Principal Graeme Baxter told The West couldn’t comment on specific cases but said the school complies with their student management policy.

‘The parents and students all sign upon admission to the college to comply with the policy,’ he said.

Mr Baxter said the policy was applied fairly at the college with incidents regularly investigated both before and after a student is excluded.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Fremantle Christian College for comment.