Oxley High Year 12 student Dylan Sollars claims he was denied entry to his physics class yesterday morning and threatened with suspension after ignoring warnings about wearing his trademark bow tie.

Dylan, 17, who has worn the bow tie at school for the past six months, claimed the tie was “part of his identity” and, under Department of Education rules, he could not be suspended for wearing it.

“It’s not stopping me, or anybody else, from learning, and I’m going to fight it as a matter of principle,” he said.

“I’m a good student, I’ve never been in trouble before and other students don’t wear the exact uniform.

“I just want to be able to go to school.”

Dylan’s parents, Kristy and Kimble Sollars, met with the school principal on Thursday but could not come to a resolution.

They claim they were told if Dylan did not remove the bow tie by Monday, he would be suspended.

“He’s an A-student, never been in trouble and wears the full uniform,” Mrs Sollars said.

“If it was a private school we would understand, but it’s not.

“Dylan wants to attend school, but not being able to because of a bow tie is unreasonable.

“It should be OK for him to have his own personality.”

Neck ties are optional for seniors at the school and the Sollarses have offered to get a bow tie made in school colours.

A fanatical Dr Who fan, Dylan started wearing bow ties as a form of self-expression and to mimic the signature neckwear worn by the TV character.

“I love bow ties and I own four of them – they make me feel fancy,” Dylan said.

“It’s part of my personal style.”

He said he was confronted by the school’s principal on Thursday afternoon and told he would be suspended if he continued to wear the tie.

The Sollarses are seeking legal advice over the alleged threat, claiming that under Department of Education rules, a student cannot be suspended for uniform breaches.

A department spokesman strongly denied Dylan was being singled out or that he had been “refused entry” to his physics class.

“He was one of a number of students across the school who were told they needed to report to a pre-arranged scheduled uniform check,” he said. 

“Dylan chose not to return to class. Yesterday (Thursday) was the first time the principal spoke to Dylan about being out of uniform.

“The principal attempted to offer an amicable resolution, which Dylan did not accept.

“Dylan was not threatened with suspension for being out of uniform.”