Some Taranaki students will be able to express themselves freely now their school has waived a rule against facial piercings. But don't expect Wanganui schools to follow suit.
New Plymouth Girls' High School last week announced it would drop a rule where students were allowed to have only one piercing in
each ear.
Now students can have up to four body piercings - one in each ear, a nose piercing and a tongue piercing.
Acting principal Stella Bond said the change came about because too much time was spent enforcing the rule.
"We think there are much more significant things to be dealing with," she told the Taranaki Daily News.
However, Wanganui secondary schools will definitely not be following the new trend.
Strict uniform criteria at Wanganui High School, Wanganui City College, Wanganui Girls' College and Cullinane College all clearly state no facial piercings, no exceptions.
Wanganui Girls' College deputy principal Maartje Morton said uniform rules at the college were set by the board of trustees "who are also the parents and I can't see them ever allowing facial piercings in the near future".
Ms Morton said a stud in each ear was allowed at present.
"I really don't think nose, eyebrow and lip piercings will be allowed by the board. Well, not in my lifetime."
The Secondary Principals' Association yesterday said each school was self-managing and entitled to make rules surrounding uniform.
President Patrick Walsh said he only knew of one other school that allowed facial piercings, however that school did not have a uniform.
"Traditionally, the whole point of not having facial piercings was for two reasons. It was for health and safety grounds. If these students are involved in sport and get hurt then that's not good.
"And it's an image thing. For most schools, it doesn't suit the image," he said.
