Sunshine Coast students walk out
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Students at Nambour High School in the Sunshine Coast hinterland walked out of school in late February in support of Honey Marich, a 15-year-old classmate excluded for wearing a nose stud.
Up to 10 of the 49 students, from years 8-12, who were themselves suspended for two days, wear nose jewellery. The school's 1250 students have been told only watches and signet rings may be worn.
Principal Warren Keleher said, "I'm simply defending the high reputation we have here for our standards".
Marich has reportedly told friends that she was singled out for other reasons and the nose stud was used as an excuse to get her out of the school. The striking students cited the example of a teacher at the school who wears a nose stud as a reason for their stand.
After mediation organised by the area Education Department, it was announced that Marich was free to go to the "high school of her choice".
Brisbane Resistance organiser Zanny Begg commented that "the victimisation of Honey Marich is just another example of our authoritarian education system, which values conformity over the right to free expression".