1:55pm Saturday 28th June 2008
By Jane Helmich
TWO parents are angry about a school's decision to ban their daughters from wearing T-shirts in memory of a fellow pupil.
Year 10 students at St Joseph's RC High held a charity day to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
It was chosen by the youngsters in memory of Rosie Hyde who died of heart disease last year.
Pupils were allowed to wear their own clothes for the day and about 20 of the girls decided to have the special T-shirts bearing a photograph of Rosie.
But the school told them they could not wear the T-shirts during lessons although they could wear them for a sponsored workout.
Deputy head Paddy Landers told the Argus there was concern they could distract other youngsters who could get very emotional.
But the decision angered Michelle Williams, mother of 15-year-old Kayleigh, and Rachel Price, mother of twins Sarah and Sam, and they took them out of school for the day.
Mrs Price said they only became aware the day that there was a problem.
"We made sure they were appropriately covered when they left the house and all they could see of Kayleigh's top when she went through the school gates was a little bit of white," said Mrs Williams.
Mrs Price pointed out that people taking part in events such as the Race for Life often wore photographs of loved ones.
Mrs Landers said 230 youngsters had taken part in the event, and most of the group who had the T-shirts were fine about the ruling.
She added that Rosie's memory was precious to all at the school but it was felt the T-shirts were not appropriate to wear in lessons as it could be upsetting for children who had suffered a bereavement.
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