When Mansage Singh’s patka came off during recess, Mother of God School principal Gerard Broadfoot and teacher Michelle Buckley took him inside and consulted YouTube about how to re-tie the silk scarf, a common head covering worn by Sikh boys.
They didn’t have much success, so they telephoned the prep pupil’s father for assistance.
Never did they expect their call for guidance to be met with such gratitude, says Ms Buckley.
“They felt their community is a minority in Australia and sometimes kids and adults are excluded, so they were so grateful to be treated respectfully,” she said.
Mansage’s parents also told their temple – Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Craigieburn – about the incident.
Soon word spread at the temple, with its president, Gurdeep Singh, deciding to honour the pair at a special ceremony.
Mr Broadfoot and Ms Buckley were draped in a siropa, a robe of honour, at the ceremony.
The Ardeer school’s act of kindness comes two months after a 13-year-old Sikh boy was assaulted for wearing a patka on a Melbourne bus.
Mr Singh told Mr Broadfoot and Ms Buckley the Sikh community had been honoured by their actions.
