There is nothing wrong with rules. In fact, I quite like them.

They keep us safe from criminals, potential sickness, and maintain order within society.

But some rules are ridiculous. For example, it is illegal to harm or kill pigeons in Australia. Yes, that is a legitimate law in Australia, or the jewelry rule at William Clarke College, or the hair rule.

Can you believe that you cannot express yourself beyond the standard copy and paste uniform that everyone else wears? What happened to originality and showing one’s true individuality against the masses of society? Why are we subjugated to this pointless rule?

The rules at WCC are understandable, except for the “no wearing rings, necklaces, bracelets, or flamboyant earrings”, and the “hair below the shoulders must be tied up” rules. I have no problem with the other rules at WCC, they are there to make sure we can follow the rules just like the rules in society (the big, scary laws that everyone must follow). The rules at school ensure that we students can conform under authority and pay respect to the older generations that are trying to teach us some valuable lessons. They teach us how to act and how to present ourselves, with dignity and pride in our appearance and actions.

So now that we understand the purpose and the importance of rules, why can’t we express ourselves? Is it the end of the world for us to wear a little piece of jewelry that has significance to us, be it religious, familial, a marker of a special event, or an expression of our own personal style or taste?

There are two major issues I have with this rule. One, the fact that I have to get an exemption to wear my Cross. My Cross is not just a piece of jewelry to me, but an important part of my baptism and my journey as a Christian. It marks my struggles past, present, and those to come; these struggles are crucial as Christians must strive to live like Jesus in every possible way. This includes taking up our own cross and struggling against the evils of this world. It severely irks me that I have been told that I cannot wear my Cross, as ‘jewelry is not allowed,’ and that I must get an exemption (which is a long, unnecessary process). Considering that this school is Christian, it seems contradictory that the sign of Jesus and His crucifixion should need an exemption to wear around the grounds.

The other issue I have with this rule is the lack of expression. We already wear the uniform of this school, it is a nice uniform, significantly better than others, i.e. green and yellow. Typically, one would express themselves through their clothing, but school rules that out. So, the next best thing is jewelry. I personally see no issue with jewelry; I think it allows us girls to express our interests and always keep a special moment with us. I will be honest, I have worn jewelry to school, and I have been told to take it off. I did take it off, but I have thought and asked, why? Teachers say, because it’s the rules. But why do the rules have to be this way?

I am sure girls reading this will agree that they have gotten in trouble about the earring rule. I don’t have piercings, but my friends do. Some only have one pair that don’t fit the criteria, others have been furious about the limitations. The rules simply state that there is “one matching pair of round studs or sleepers. When earrings are worn, there is to be one in each ear, worn in the centre of each earlobe.” Sure, it’s specific, but not really. I have heard many stories where people have been getting in trouble because their earrings have a little sparkle or look too expensive. That is not in the rules, so don’t you think that some teachers are going overboard?