The headmistress of a Sydney girls’ school who earns $50,000 a year has deleted photos of her teenage students performing a raucous rap routine wearing Afro wigs and large gold jewellery after they sparked outrage.
Wenona principal Briony Scott posted photos to her own Instagram account of the three schoolgirls performing at the North Sydney school’s end-of-year ‘muck up day’.
But the reports quickly led to criticism, including about the unnaturally dark fake tan of one of the girls with the Afro wig.
Dr Scott immediately removed the photos after learning of the row, telling Daily Mail Australia she did so to avoid “misinterpretation”.
“It is common for students, like students across the country, to tan for their graduation parties and other high school festivities,” she said.
‘No additional makeup or color was used other than what a student would expect to wear to a typical prom.
“I have removed this photo to avoid further misunderstandings.”
The two teenage girls in the Afro wigs wore matching burgundy pajamas made of a silky material, while they and a third girl wore faux bling, including heavy gold chains and large dollar sign pendants, similar to those worn by black rap stars.
Photos of two girls at an exclusive private school for girls have been removed to avoid ‘misinterpretation’, the headmaster says
The girls took to the stage to perform and the photos were posted to the school principal’s Instagram account before being deleted after a commotion broke out
The two girls walked through the corridors of the elite girls’ school in a jubilant mood as they took part in the ‘muck-up day’ to celebrate the end of the school year.
They also took to the stage to perform their rap duet, wearing huge sunglasses under their afro wigs and long blonde hair.
A school insider said they were “deeply shocked” by what had happened.
“Wenona, a private school for girls, was so full of privilege that after all the scandals of the botched private school days, they decided to join this,” the person said.
‘They then posted this on the director’s Instagram account.
‘The students photographed wore hideously dark fake tan clothing, afro wigs and were decked out in necklaces and the stereotypical black ‘rapper’ jewelry.
“This is absolutely unacceptable.”
Jessica Gannaway, a lecturer in education and research at the University of Melbourne, said the act perpetuated stereotypes that could be hurtful.
The elite girls’ school in North Sydney has been around since 1886 and charges fees of more than $50,000
“When we look at these types of incidents, the most important question for me is what impact does this have on communities that have historically had to deal with these types of stereotypes and imagery,” Dr. Gannaway said.
‘Regardless of whether the intent was playful or not, this type of behavior can still be incredibly hurtful. It underscores the need for students to learn more about the history of discrimination.’
Founded in 1886, Wenona costs about $50,000 a year to enroll a girl in the twelfth grade and charges an additional $37,000 for boarding at the school.
Just to enroll a girl in school, two payments must be made, totaling $4,400.
Wenona’s website states that the school aims to provide ‘a world-class, contemporary and relevant education for girls, with a culture based on positive, respectful relationships, with a focus on leadership and service’.