Methodist Ladies College students forced to remove their ‘cross’ over fears they will offend

Girls at a prestigious church-founded private school claim they have been ordered to remove Christian crosses because they offend classmates.

Year 12 students at Melbourne’s Methodist Ladies College (MLC) in the affluent eastern suburb of Kew claim students are allowed to wear rainbow-themed furry ears, tails and pride items, but not crosses that convey their Christian faith.

An unnamed student told the newspaper Herald Sun that the school practiced ‘religious discrimination’ because teachers asked those who had them as jewelry to remove them while other students complained that they were offensive to non-Christians.”

“My friend was wearing a cross and there was another girl in our class who said she found the cross really offensive so the teacher told her to take it off,” she told the publication.

‘My friend’s parents, who are very religious, tried to get answers from the school and were told ‘it doesn’t look good for the school’.

“This is supposed to be a religious school, but they listen to the opinions of minorities instead of regular religious students.”

Students wearing Christian crosses have reportedly asked to put them on a longer chain so they are not visible, but students say they are being told to take them off.

Methodist Ladies College, which charges almost $39,000 in fees for a Year 12 student and an additional $36,000 to board, has strict uniform requirements and does not allow make-up, jewelery or loosely tied long hair.

The school is also very strict on inappropriate clothing lengths and unapproved clothing.

A spokesperson for the school told the Herald Sun that they are ‘deeply committed to promoting a culture of inclusivity, respect and diversity’.

“Our Christian heritage serves as a foundation for welcoming individuals of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds, and fosters an environment where every student is supported in expressing their identity and beliefs,” the spokesperson said.

“With regard to religious jewelry, such as cross necklaces, the College’s uniform policy supports consistent presentation among students, with respect for individual beliefs.

The school has strict uniform rules, banning make-up, jewelery and loosely tied long hair (stock image shown)

Parents pay thousands in tuition so their daughters can attend Methodist Ladies College

“We apply all policies with care and sensitivity, ensuring individual beliefs are respected while supporting our shared identity through the MLC uniform.”

In August 2022, it was reported that a year eight student attending a private girls’ school in Melbourne was allowed to ‘identify as a cat’.

“No one seems to have a protocol for students who identify as animals, but the approach is that if it doesn’t disrupt the school, everyone is supportive,” a source close to the family told the Herald Sun.

The school did not confirm this, but said they were “dealing with a range of psychological issues.”

In a statement, the school said students were “facing a range of issues, from mental health, anxiety or identity issues.”

An unnamed student claims that girls were told to take off their cross necklaces because they offended other students

The Melbourne Methodist Ladies College was founded in 1882 by the Wesleyan Methodist Church and it was not until 1978 that the headmaster was not an ordained minister.

“As a non-denominational and multicultural college, we value diversity and broad expressions of achievement,” the school’s website says.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the school for further comment.