Teacher sacked after cutting pupil’s hair for not meeting grooming guidelines

Students are protesting demanding the teacher is reinstated

The deputy headmaster of a prestigious private school has reportedly been sacked after he cut a pupil's hair for not meeting grooming guidelines.

Dubbed the “Dumbledore of Trinity”, Rohan Brown worked at the all boys Trinity Grammar school in Sydney, Australia, for more than three decades.

He was sacked for allegedly “contravening disciplinary procedures” after he cut the student's hair ahead of a school picture because it did not meet its grooming guidelines.

Headmaster Michael Davies said the school “takes seriously its duty of care to students, staff and the wider community” in a statement.

Students have protested his departure and demanded that he be reinstated. Some wore brown armbands to show their support for him.

A letter penned by 50 former pupils also raised concerns about the direction it has taken.

“In recent years, the school’s executive leadership has made clear its intention to change the school’s vision and direction,” the letter, published by Australian broadcaster ABC News, said.

“This has seen a dramatic shift from Trinity’s position as a non-selective, not-elite school, dedicated to holistic personal development, to an institution focused on ‘exceptional’ performance defined by Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) excellence, growth and profit.”

At a public meeting the student community passed a no-confidence motion against the current headmaster and has threatened legal action if the entire council did not resign and reinstate Mr Brown.

Three members of the school’s governing body have also stepped down, although they stood by their decision to fire Mr Brown.

“This behaviour was, in the unanimous view of the council, unacceptable and incompatible with the values of Trinity Grammar and with contemporary community standards,” they said in a joint statement.

“While we acknowledge the commitment and passion of those in the school community who object to the council’s decision, we are confident that we and the council will be vindicated in the action we took.”