A prestigious Methodist girls’ school in Melbourne has asked its pupils to remove cross necklaces, as they may be “offensive” to other students.

The Melbourne Methodist Ladies College was founded by the Wesleyan Methodist church in 1882. Until 1978, the headteacher was always an ordained minister. 

Now, as student has told the Herald Sun: “'My friend was wearing a cross and there was another girl in our class who said she found the cross really offensive and so the teacher told her to take it off.

“My friend's parents, who are very religious, tried to get answers from the school and were told 'it's not a good look for the school'.”

It’s the second school in Melbourne to draw controversy over presentation, after a separate school allowed a student to “identify as a cat”.

The Ladies’ College student said: “This is supposed to be a religious school but they are listening to minority opinion rather than mainstream religious students.”

The school charges around $39,000 a year in fees for Year 12 students. It has a strict dress code policy around makeup, jewellery and long hair.

A spokesperson for the school said: “We are deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and diversity.

“Our Christian heritage serves as a foundation for welcoming individuals of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, fostering an environment where every student is supported in expressing their identity and beliefs.”