Gay and Aboriginal flags on student jackets infuriate parents: ‘It’s a school, it’s not a political statement’
- A school introduced a ‘non-compulsory’ jacket
- It features the pride and Aboriginal flags
- The design is ‘initiated’ by students
Parents have criticized a secondary school for introducing a puffer jacket with the pride and Australian Aboriginal flags.
Cheltenham Secondary College in southeastern Melbourne first offered the jackets for sale in May for $89.95.
The jackets are not mandatory and are offered as an ‘alternate item’ of the softshell jacket.
The jacket features the school crest and the words ‘respect’, ‘responsibility’, ‘personal best’ and ‘community’. The Australian Aboriginal flag is on one sleeve and the rainbow flag on the other.
The flags, which were “initiated” by the school’s students, have sparked outrage from parents who have attempted to remove them, which the school says violated its uniform policy.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said the student community had suggested the jacket’s design.
Cheltenham Secondary College in Melbourne has launched a ‘non-compulsory’ jacket (above) with pride and Aboriginal flags on the sleeves
“The jacket is an initiative of the student community and is not a compulsory part of the school uniform,” they said.
‘The school uniform policy for our schools is determined by school councils.
‘Like all our state schools, Cheltenham Secondary College prides itself on being a safe and welcoming school.’
Penny, whose son attends Cheltenham Secondary College, spoke to 3AW presenter Neil Mitchell on Monday and revealed that the school does not allow students to remove the flags or blacken them with a marker.
“I think it’s disgusting that they have those flags on a school uniform, it’s not right,” she said.
“It’s a school, it’s not a political statement…why do certain people have things on their uniforms?”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Education said the design of the jacket (above) was “initiated by the student community”
Another caller, named John, said he heard from a source that parents who tried to remove the flags were told they damaged the garment.
“They have to stick to raising our kids,” he said.
Another told Mitchell that non-Christian students who took the flags out of their jackets were “left alone.”
Mitchell called the move “an awakening attack.”
“I’m all for celebrating diversity and recognizing Indigenous heritage – that’s not the point, but getting the kids involved is going a step too far, and if they’re being punished for not wearing it, that’s just absurd.’
He also pointed out that the Australian flag was missing, which he found odd.
Cheltenham SC took to Facebook to reveal its new optional addition to its uniform on May 19.
The puffer jacket is offered as an additional/alternative item and is not a substitute for the softshell jacket, which is still part of the college uniform.
Several angry parents from the school (above) said the coat is too ‘awake’ with a mother saying ‘It’s a school, it’s not a political statement’
Two parents commented, one saying it looked ‘fantastic’.
‘I love it! The flags on the sides are beautiful too!’ said the other.
The school has been contacted for comment.