QLD: A ring goes too far, school tells student

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2000
QLD: A ring goes too far, school tells student

BRISBANE, Aug 17 AAP - A 16-year-old student today claimed she was expelled from a
Brisbane high school because she was wearing a gold ring below her lip.

Felicity Chapman said she was being discriminated against by Kelvin Grove High, in
Brisbane's inner north.

"I believe I have a right to attend a public school and complete Year 12, regardless
of the way I look," Felicity said.

"A public school's primary function is to provide free education for all students in
an environment free of discrimination."

However Greg Heidke, principal for the past five years at Brisbane's Kelvin Grove High,
denied Felicity had been expelled.

"She insisted on coming to school wearing a big gold ring through her chin just below
the lip, despite signing a document that she read and understood the school's dress code
when she enrolled two weeks ago," Mr Heidke said.

He said the school's dress code, worked out by staff, students and parents, allowed
for a nose ring and holes for ear rings.

"Felicity got her chin ring after she agreed to abide by the school's dress code,"

Mr Heidke said.

"I have offered to allow her in school with an inconspicuous plastic chin ring but
she insists on wearing that big gold thing," he said.

"I have even offered to pay to have the chin ring hole repaired but this too has been refused."

Mr Heidke said he felt he had no alternative to asking Felicity not to come back to
school wearing the gold chin ring.

Felicity and her elder sister Fleur Chapman said they intended to raise the matter
with the Queensland Education Department.

AAP geb/sc/arb

KEYWORD: LIPRING

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