The judge had said his ruling provides the school and its community an opportunity to decide on whether a "hair rule" is necessary, but if it did, it would need to give "very special consideration" as to whether it would breach a student's rights to "autonomy, individual dignity and his rights to freedom of expression."
Yesterday's ruling followed a hearing in Wellington on Monday, based on an application by the boy's father, Troy Battison, for a judicial review of the decision by St John's principal Paul Melloy and the Board of Trustees to suspend Lucan for breach of school hair rules. The rules state that students must have hair that is short, tidy, of natural colour and must be off the collar and out of the eyes. It also specifically notes that plaits, dreads and mohawks are not acceptable.
A statement from the Battison family said they were pleased with the judgement but, having wanted mediation instead, was disappointed it had gone so far.
"We do believe rules have a place. But they need to be reasonable and certain. Lucan has had the same style for three years at St John's," the statement read.
They said the teen had signed up to the rule and his hair, whether in a hair tie or not, was off the collar and out of the eyes but "the new principal shifted the goal posts".
"In 2014 when girls hair lengths at school aren't questioned, why should the rules be different for boys ... It is the school that did not follow the law."
The family said St John's was a good school, adding: "If people never questioned certain issues, we would be a very backward society today."
"Lucan would have been quite happy to change schools ... This is different to not having a respect for rules. He wears his uniform with pride and that will not change.
"All Lucan wants is to continue his education and get back to playing in the 1st XV."
Mr Melloy said he was disappointed with the decision, but would not comment on whether the school rules will now be changed.
"The board of trustees are taking time to consider the judgment made by Justice Collins in terms of its impact, both on our school and on other schools."
He said Lucan had already returned to St John's, which was previously agreed and the school has also been ordered to pay the legal costs of the case.
"It is business as normal," Mr Melloy said.
However, Hawke's Bay Today reported yesterday that Lucan, who had been out of the classroom for a month, had also been banned from playing for the 1st XV, despite Justice Collins stating Lucan should receive no further punishment from the school.
The St John's 1st XV has a bye today and the school's ball is tonight, but Lucan will not attend.
In his judgment, Justice Collins said that tensions arose when Mr Melloy, who started in his role as principal last month, attended a 1st XV game and noticed several players in the team had untidy and long hair. After meeting with the principal, Lucan was warned that if he defied the school's rules he could be suspended.
"One of Lucan's teachers summarily dismissed him from the classroom because of the length of his hair. Lucan was very distressed by the teacher's behaviour," Justice Collins said.
"The school now accepts that the teacher concerned over-reacted. However, it would appear this unfortunate incident became the catalyst for the events which unfolded."
He said Mr Melloy concluded to suspend Lucan, because in his assessment his continual refusal to cut his hair and comply with the school rules "was continual disobedience [that] ... was a harmful or dangerous example to other students.
"In considering this issue, the school will need to give very careful consideration as to whether or not any hair rule would breach a student's rights to autonomy, individual dignity and his rights to freedom of expression."
The judgement said Napier Boys' High School, Taradale High School and Tamatea High School allow their male students to wear their hair in a ponytail. However, Taradale High School principal Stephen Hensman said yesterday: "At Taradale High School, we support St John's College's right to set its own rules about uniform and hair in consultation with its community."
The St John's College charter also appears to contradict the rules and states that "every student is unique, is made in the image of God and is treated with reverence".
Justice Collins said all students and parents know in advance of the school's uniform requirements and rules, but the same cannot be said about the hair rule, which is capable of being "interpreted differently" by students, parents, teachers, the principal and the board.
Battison family lawyer Jol Bates said the judgment made it hard for the school to appeal.
President of the Secondary Principals' Association, Tom Parsons, said schools now faced the prospect of "lawyering up" simply to ensure rules that may already be clear to students and parents passed the legal test set by the High Court.
"One of the unintended consequences [of the judgement] will be the expense school boards have to go to to ensure [rules] are watertight," Mr Parsons said.
Legal expert Bill Hodge said the costs associated with having school rules scrutinised and drafted by lawyers would run into thousands of dollars.
Lucan was awarded a bravery medal by Napier Mayor Bill Dalton after helping to rescue two women caught in a rip off Waipatiki Beach in January 2013.
- additional reporting NZ Herald