Teenager suspended from school
A Derry teenager has been suspended from school because of his new hairstyle.
By Ursula Duddy
Ryan McFadden was sent home from St Joseph’s Boys School in Creggan last week after he had blond highlights put in his hair, and has not been allowed back since.
The school insist that it is following guidelines set down for all pupils.
However, Ryan’s mother, Jean, is furious at the decision.
“I treated him to his hair. I’m a one parent family I have six children and I don’t have the money to get his hair re-done,” she said.
“They (the school) said his hair is unacceptable but there’s boys there that have long hair and classroom assistants that have black hair with red patches.
“I don’t know what St Joseph’s problem is with his hair and I don’t think they should be entitled to tell the children what way to wear their hair.
“I feel that their youth is being taken from them; they can take a uniform off at the end of the day and they’re entitled to their life outside of school.”
Mrs McFadden said the exclusion had not really acted as a punishment.
“It’s really stupid because all St Joseph’s have done is given him days off over the good weather.
“If the rest of the school find out about this they’ll all be getting their hair done like that.”
St Joseph’s principal, Damien Harkin, told the Derry News that the school operates a specific set of rules, which he has reiterated through a letter identifying two particular hairstyles that are unacceptable.
“I have tried to be lenient and not over-specific in order to allow the children some self-expression.
“The particular parent in question has been given time to rectify the situation but I have been left with no other choice than to resort to suspension,” said Mr Harkin.
