BY NUALA MCALOON
A period of consultation regarding school uniform at St. Eugene's College in Roslea is due to commence today (Wednesday).
Among the proposed rule changes is the implementation of a new regulation regarding wearing badges in school. It proposes: 'Badges, emblems, pins or medals of any description must not be visible on school uniform or school bags."
The proposals issued in a letter on behalf of the Board of Governors was sent to parents and guardians at the school.
It read: 'I'm writing on behalf of the Board of Governors to make you aware of a consultation process regarding clarification of school rules. These are included in a draft of the updated school planner, a copy of which is enclosed. A period of consultation will commence on the 16th-30th April.
'If you wish to make comments, please do so on the attached pro forma. This should be returned no later than 30th April and the Board of Governors will meet to consider a response before the school planner is finalised.'
The news comes after the mother of a 15-year-old student who was suspended from the school for refusing to remove religious badges from the lapel of her blazer, told the 'Herald' it was a shame that the school had yet to resolve the issue.
Ann McDermott's daughter, Catrina returned to St. Eugene's College following a two-day suspension in early February. She continues to wear the badge of St. Patrick and her Guardian Angel. Catrina claims she is a victim of bullying and wore the religious badges because she felt they protected her.
However, the school Principal, Martin Knox had said the Year 11 pupil had clearly defied the school's code of conduct and that, by supporting her, her parents had challenged the leadership of a school that operated successfully.
For her part, Mrs McDermott has insisted that she had read the school planner over and over again, and she could see nothing in it to suggest badges could not be worn.
Following the suspension, Mr Knox confirmed that any further disciplinary action was pending a meeting of the Board of Governors following the school's mid-term break, at which the matter would be reviewed.
That meeting was held on Thursday 28th February where a discussion took place concerning the review of school policies. Mr Knox reported that as part of the meeting, school uniform was discussed and the Board was agreeing a process of a way forward. Until those policies were reviewed, he said, there wouldn't be any further development on the matter.
LETTER
The McDermott family received the Board of Governors letter on Saturday last.
"There seems to be only one change with regard to uniform," Mrs McDermott explained. "It used to be just jewellery, now it is jewellery and badges.
"I don't think much of it, but I am going to reply. I think it is wrong because religious medals should be allowed in a school that is called after a saint.
"If they put in a rule just for religious badges, there wouldn't be too many wearing them. You could ban badges but not religious ones because to take away medals you are taking their religion away as well. St. Patrick, the badge that Catrina is wearing is said to be the founder of school and churches in Ireland."
Meanwhile, Mrs McDermott insisted that Catrina would continue to wear the badges.
"Catrina needs her bit of religion to keep her going in school", she stated. "The bullying wrecked her and then the thing with her badges. You would think they would leave her alone."
Since the incident, Catrina has taken part in a BBC documentary about bullying which is due to be screened in mid-May.
"It focuses on bullying," her mother explained. "That's why Catrina wore the badges in the first place. If as a result, one person wakens up and sees what they are doing to children by bullying, it will be something of an achievement, and Catrina can get some good out of it."
