Being a student at Marsden State High School, I’ve often been told to remove my jewellery, like rings, which I myself have used to aid in managing my ADHD. These moments seem unfair, especially when those who are supposed to guide us do not follow the same rules. 

At Marsden State High School, there is a stark contrast in the enforcement of dress codes between students and teachers. Students are restricted from wearing rings, cannot wear anything on our wrists other than a wristwatch, even if the things on our wrists are cultural, we are not allowed facial piercings at all, limitations on ear piercings, and are restricted from using unnatural hair dye. On the other hand, I’ve witnessed teachers at our school sporting un-naturally dyed hair, visible necklaces, multiple rings, multiple ear-piercings, facial piercings and more that students get into trouble for wearing.

For students like me this inconsistency feels both unjust and discriminatory. If there’s a set standard, it should apply equally to both teachers and students. It becomes extremely disheartening to abide by these rules when those who enforce them do not model the same behaviour. I do understand that some wear rings due to engagement and marriage, and that teachers are adults, but we are also teenagers learning about who we are, figuring out our identity, and becoming young adults in school. 

I am calling on the school administration to enforce equality in dress code standards for everyone, either allow for students to have unnatural hair dye, few facial piercings, wear rings, have visible necklaces, etc. Even if these are limited, such as only being allowed one facial piercing, one ring, one necklace, only having part of our hair dyed unnaturally, but allow for us to have some of our own identity.

Marsden State High School is already strict enough with uniform, going as far as almost sending students home due to having shoes not fully black after being hit with devastatingly heavy rain and having the black leather shoes that the school enforces getting wet. Even if these students did the correct thing, going too the uniform shop and if the uniform shop had no spares, going to their head of department to get an exemption. Students face the risk of being sent home if the spare shoes are not completely black, or if the spare clothing isn't the exact colour they want, even if it’s just the sole of the shoe that is the incorrect colour, they risk being sent home and missing out on valuable education and even possible a vital exam or test. I have personally faced this, almost being sent home because the sole and toe of my shoes were white and being told to go purchase spare shoes even after stating my family cannot afford it at that time.

These rules are extreme, they do not allow for students to express themselves and in some cases their culture, there are also studies showing that during the teenage years, preventing self-expression stifle’s healthy identity formation. These conditions force teenagers to suppress their thoughts and emotions, which frequently manifests as chronic anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, and deep feelings of isolation. Over time, this can severely impair their ability to build meaningful relationships and process feelings in a constructive manner.

The teenage brain is specifically wired to seek independence and test boundaries. When a teen is constantly silenced or not allowed to express their individuality, several developmental and psychological consequences often occur such as Delayed Development, Emotional Suppression, Unhealthy Outlets, communication breakdowns, and rebellion.

 Is this something that Marsden State High School wants? Does the school want to stifle our development and cause mental health issues? Let us strive for a fair and just school environment. Stand with me to ensure Marsden State High School adhere to an equal dress code policy for all or to change the dress code too allow students to be able to express themselves in a way that matches the teachers.