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Do you agree with this Catholic school’s prom dress rules?

A Catholic school in West Auckland has given girls strict instructions on how their dress should look at this year’s seniors ball, and the girls aren't happy...
Prom Dress Rules Henderson

Prom Dress Rules Henderson

St Dominic’s College in Henderson has banned cleavage, low backs and splits above the knee – in strict rules published ahead of this year’s seniors ball.

According to an online petition calling for the principal to rethink the restrictions, these are the dress rules being handed down to girls at the college:

  1. A split on the dress can only be up to the knee

  2. The back of the dress cannot go below the armpit

  3. There must be no cleavage AT ALL

  4. You cannot take off your shoes no matter how sore your feet get

  5. You must be in a serious relationship in order to bring a ball date

This list left us with several questions.

First, where exactly are you even meant to find a dress that fits this criteria?

Second, short of a turtleneck, how are you meant to have ‘no cleavage at all?’ especially if you’re a larger chested individual?

And third, what counts as a ‘serious relationship’ when you’re under 18 years old?

Perhaps the most important question is though – are the boys at brother school Liston College being put under restrictions too?

Students at the school told the Herald they were being forced to get their dresses approved by the associate principal ahead of the event in

July.

Principal Carol Coddington told the paper: “In the 20 years that I have been principal, we have been proud of the way that almost every girl attending these functions has presented herself.”

“However, with the recent focus on school balls, we thought it was timely [to] have a discussion about rules around our school’s ball six weeks ahead of the event.”

The petition on Change.org states: “We understand that some dresses can look inappropriate but this is taking it too far.”

The petition claims that girls who have already purchased dresses are now being left out of pocket because their outfits have been deemed inappropriate.

“Since when has a girls’ back caused such outrage for being ‘too exposed’. This is sexualising a girls’ body and sending the message that they must be covered up and feel ashamed of showing skin. Girls at this age (16 – 18) do have breasts and the fact that they must be completely covered is outdated and shameful on the College’s behalf. Girls have backs, legs and breasts. All of which can be shown to an extent that is classy and elegant.”

The petition has almost 5,000 signatures at the time of publication.

You may also be interested in: Primary school bans girls from wearing shorts or trousers

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