Statement From the Battison Family

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Statement From the Battison Family

While we are pleased by the judgement of Justice Collins, we are still disappointed it had to go to the High Court. Our preferred option all along was mediation.

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. In 2014 when girls hair lengths at school aren't questioned, why should the rules be different for boys?

Despite what has been said in the media. Lucan never broke the rules. The rules, which we signed up for, were 'off the collar and out of the eyes". Lucan’s hair, whether in a hair tie or not, has conformed to this, but the new principal shifted the goal posts.

In this case, unfortunately, it is the school that did not follow the law.

We’d like, in particular, to thank Justice Collins for giving us a fair hearing. He heard the full extent of our case and as a result has made this judgement accordingly.

However, if we didn’t think St John’s was a good school, Lucan would have been quite happy to change schools. We admire and thank his teachers for their support.

If people never questioned certain issues, we would be a very backward society today.

We'd also like to thank all the people who have supported us — our family, friends, our lawyer, the school community of St John’s, and complete strangers. We have been overwhelmed by the number of phone calls and emails.

The criticism we have received as parents has been hurtful and unnecessary. We love our son and we've always taught him to stand up for what he believes in. 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.

We are still taking time to process this judgement. We don't wish to make further comment today. In the meantime, please contact our lawyer 101 Bates if you have any other queries.

Troy, Tania and Lucan Battison
27 June 2014

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