At St. Patrick's College at Strathfield, the haircut policy in place is overly strict. As an old boy of the College and now Father of a student attending, I understand the frustration and unfairness of being forced to trim your hair, even when it is of respectable length, to meet the standards.

Currently, hair MUST be off the ears and collar, and above the eyebrows. Up until a new headmaster arrived, who, ironically has a few grey hairs on his mostly bald scalp, the rule has been fairly lenient, and is only (generally) enforced by those balding staff, or those with short hair. Discrimination.

From my understanding, hair policies are in place to prevent groups with hair as identities forming, promote uniformity and neatness, and give students a sense of discipline. Unfortunately, to many's displeasure, the policy appears to have grown way out of proportion. Now, instead of defining what you can't have, it is defining what you can have; this, in my opinion, is utterly ridiculous.

Having long hair distracts neither the bearer, nor students around him from attaining their education, which I believe to be the key reason schools exist, hence, they are called SCHOOLS. However, the aspect of having short hair can be traumatic to some, which in-turn DOES affect their education. Not only this, but seriously, get with the times! It's no longer the 60s, and I quote, "The students aren't hippies, and they aren't radical anti-war tree huggers".

Apologies to those in agreement with the policies but not everybody likes short hair. Some, such as my son, have experienced bullying as a result of their appearance with short hair, and is now extremely self-conscious. I, and many others who have experiened these policies will agree that such strict policies on matters which people can be so hell bent on, should not be so important. The college appears, from what I have heard, to spend more time sorting out bullying, vandalism and class disruptions.

I don't see any restrictions on girls' hair, do you? Why should it be different for an all boys school? It's not the military. Even if students make attempts to conceal the hair, it's still unacceptable, even though it hardly reflects badly on the school.

I hope you all can see my point of view and will support this petition to atleast reduce the restrictions.

- Frustrated old-boy and parent

Acne Life Insurance Death Insurance Bextra Asbestos Car Insurance Dental Plans 0 Private Jets Debt Consolidation credit Cards Rewards Cards Equity Loans Equity Line credit Loans Mortgages Pay Day Loans Cash Advance 0 Bankruptcy Reduce Debt Refinance Jet Charter Vioxx Wrongful death Legal Advice Taxes Investing Bonds 0 Online Trading IRA Rollover Refinance Quotes Adult Education Distance Learning Alcohol Treatment Rehab Drug Rehab Spyware Cell Phone Plans 0 Calling Cards VOIP Weight Loss Canadian Pharmacy Depression Spam Filter Lasik Facelift Teeth Whitening Annuity 0 Anti Virus Protection Adult Diaper Free credit Report credit Score Satellite Anti Spam Software Dedicated Hosting Domain Name Need Money Bachelor Degree 0 Master Degree Doctorate Degree Work at Home Quick Book Extra Money Eloan Malpractice Lawyer Lenox China Cancer Payperclick 0 Personal Injury Attorney Lexington Law Video Conferencing Transfer Money Windstar Cruise Casinos Online Term Life Online Banking Borrow Money Low Interest credit Cards 0 Personal Domain Name Cellular Phone Rental Internet Broker Trans Union Cheap Hosting University Degrees Online Online Marketing Consolidate Helpdesk Software Web Host 0 Homeowner's Insurance Yellow Page Advertising Travel Insurance Register Domain credit Counseling Email Hosting Business credit Consumer credit Blue Cross Laptop Computer