Some years ago, I was the form teacher of an upper sec class. An Indian student had dyed her hair brown. I only mention her race as it is vital to the story, as you will see.
The student was normally quite well-behaved and I asked her why she dyed her hair brown. She said it was because of Deepavali. Such a reason is a typical teenager response.
I explained to the student that having coloured hair was against the school rules and that she would have to have her hair sprayed black. She did not object. I understood that Year Head had black hair spray so I called her. Year Head asked me why I needed the spray and I explained. Year Head said she would come over.
I knew Year Head’s style was ferocious so I told the student: “__________ is coming. She will probably scream at you. Just regard it as if she is singing a song.”
Year Head came and screamed at the student. The student followed her. She was ejected from the school.
Within a few minutes, the student’s mother called me. She was furious that a teacher had shouted at her daughter and she asked me why Year Head was picking on Indians. I assured her that Year Head was not being racist and
directed her to talk to Year Head.
The whole thing could have been handled in a different way.
If I was in Year Head’s position, I would have just told the student that she has to leave the school and can only come back when her hair is black. I would have used the same tone as an airport official who tells you to unpack if your luggage is too heavy.
I am not necessarily against teachers being fierce. But in this case, it was not necessary.