Another parent of Rocklands High School, who is also a teacher there, has come forward to complain about their “harsh” principal.
This after several children have been denied access to their valedictory and matric farewell because of their hairstyles.
The parents say despite getting haircuts, the palie won’t change his mind and has banned the Grade 12 boys from their matric ball because they flouted the school rules.
A mother says they were told to have a farewell at home.
Claudine Adonis, an SGB-appointed teacher, says her 18-year-old son cried snot en trane when they went to the barber last week to cut his hair, which he had been growing out especially for his matric ball, set to take place on 28 November.
Despite his sacrifice, she says, the principal wouldn’t budge.
Last week the Daily Voice spoke to another pupil’s parents, Carmen and Mark Rosseau, who said their son was “broken” after he was locked out of his valedictory and told he cannot attend the matric ball because of his high-top fader.
Mark said a total of 13 boys were banned from the ball, which he calls a right of passage for any schoolchild, after not adhering to the code of conduct.
“My son only wanted to look special at his farewell, but I am told this is not on. When the school asked him to cut his hair earlier in the year, he did, and we had him cut his hair again, but still he is not allowed to go,” the dad says.
He says he has requested many meetings with the principal, who has refused to see him.
Adonis says she went to see the palie on Friday and says she was blindsided by his “niceness”.
“He said we should sort it out and I really thought since my boy’s hair was cut, we could come to an agreement,” his mom says.
“My son cried as they took it off last week. Then Mr. (Nigel) Pelston tells me the department had said it was his decision (to undo the matric ball ban) and it remains no. I went numb. He (her son) did what was asked of him.
Rocklands High in Mitchells Plain
“Mr Pelston said I must just have a farewell at home to celebrate. He then led me out of the office and still dropped me off in Town Centre to take a taxi home. I don’t know what more to do.”
The Daily Voice has tried to make contact with Mr, Pelston but has yet to receive a reply.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, says the boys were banned for contravening school rules.
“The school is well within their rights to do so,” she said.