A Sydney high school has apologised after students wore traditional Arabic headdresses to portray “terrorists” for a muck-up day event last week.
The students at Gilroy Catholic College in Castle Hill reportedly won “best dressed” awards as part of last Wednesday’s events, 7 News reports.
Photos supplied to 7 News show six male students wearing traditional Arabic headdresses, called a keffiyeh, white shirts, pants and sandals.
Some of the students are also pictured holding toy water guns.
The student who supplied the photos to 7 News said the students were “portraying terrorists”, and that it showed a rising trend of “blatant Islamophobia” in schools.
A spokesperson for the school confirmed many of the students “received small prizes as part of the event, including the students involved”.
Principal Cheryl Merryweather apologised, saying the incident did not represent the school’s values.
“On behalf of the Gilroy community, I am very sorry that this has happened,” she told 7 News.
“The decision to dress this way showed very poor judgment.
“I also apologise for not directing the students to change out of these costumes.
“I also apologise for not directing the students to change out of these costumes.
“At Gilroy College, we take pride in welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds.
“We know that this incident did not represent our College values and commit ourselves to doing better in the future.”
