Formal is meant to be an important and inclusive event for all students, but the current situation at Balwyn is leaving some students feeling unfairly excluded. Students who are meeting expectations around attendance, uniform, punctuality, effort in their studies, and respectful behaviour are still being denied the chance to attend. This feels inconsistent and frustrating, especially when the event is such a big part of the school experience. All students should be given a fair opportunity to attend formal, and this exclusive system needs to be abolished to ensure fairness and inclusion for everyone.

This policy is unfair because it punishes students for things they often can’t control. Attendance and uniform issues can be caused by financial struggles, family problems, or other personal challenges. By excluding students based on this, the school is disadvantaging those who may already be struggling the most. Schools should support all students and give everyone a fair chance, not create rules that make it harder for some to succeed.
 
 
 

Make Balwyn High School an inclusive place for all