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'Unacceptable': Sydney private school bans mullet hair styles

An elite Sydney private school has dipped its toe into the contentious world of hair censorship, and at the top of their kill list is none other than the iconic 80's chop the mullet.

The much maligned 'do has experienced a resurgence in recent years after suffering over a decade of ridicule and social shunning, but it seems the mullet love has not extended to the country's most prestigious classrooms.

Eastern Suburbs Waverley College
Waverley College in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs has banned the mullet. Photo: Waverley College

A string of top private schools have come out swinging against the textured look, the latest school to cut the mullet trend off at the knees none other than Sydney's Waverley College.

The Daily Telegraph yesterday reported that the all-boys Catholic college issued a message to students on Wednesday informing them that the fashionable 'do was banned, and anyone violating the ban would be redirected to the nearest pair of scissors.

Waverley mullet ban image of man with mullet
The popular 'do is a firm don't at the Sydney private school. Photo: Getty Images
Zendaya wears a mullet
Celebrities like Zendaya have dragged the 80's cut back into the mainstream. Photo: Getty Images

“In addition to the correct uniform, students’ appearance including hairstyles must be in line with the College expectations from day one,” a message from deputy principal Patrick Brennan read.

"The ‘mullet’ haircut trending at present is not acceptable and students will be directed to the local barber or their preferred hairstylist to rectify any issues."

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A spokesperson for the school told the paper that the decision had been made after balancing the student's right to express themselves and the need to fit within the bounds of what is 'acceptable'.

“Part of maturing in life is to know that rules, guidelines, and expectations are necessary for growth — even when these might not align with our personal preferences,” she said.

“So while personal expression, fun and creativity are important parts of who we all are as individuals, it needs to fit within the bounds of what is acceptable and required of us. Student hairstyles fit within this principle.”

It's not the first time a schools mullet ban has caused disconcertion among the fashion-forward.

Mater Dei anti-mullet message reddit
This message from the WA private school sparked outrage. Photo: Reddit

Last year, a message sent out by Mater Dei, a Catholic College in Western Australia, issued the same ban on the Mullet, in a move that was labelled 'Class warfare on school mullets' by a furious Reddit user.

"Is Mater Dei College run by Principle Skinner?" one user wrote. "Also, have they forgotten they're located in Edgewater/Joondalup?"

"Haha as an alumni of Mater Dei this is utterly unsurprising," an ex-student wrote. "They used to measure our sock height during the summer uniform months. This was 20 years ago, so same old place it seems."

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