Is this a racist insult or not?

[bigbuttons]

dd in year 6 was called a 'monkey' and then a 'gypsy' by a boy in her class today.
DD is mixed race asian and certainly has a lovely sun-kissed hue to her skin. She asked me if I thought they were racist comments as she wasn't sure. I said they were and that it was completely unacceptable.
She said that monkeys were quite sweet so maybe being called one wasn't so bad and that some 'gypsies' had nice coloured skin.
I have written an email to the school expressing my concerns.
The school is a small village church school 99% white etc etc.

I've had an email from the head, pretty positive actually.
I am happy to share it via pm but would feel uncomfortable about printing it out here.
My problem is getting dd to see the seriousness of the situation. She is worried that the boys will get into trouble and says she doesn't care what they called her.
Any thoughts about how i might take the discussion with the head forward tomorrow?

Perhaps discuss with the head that though your daughter is confident and has a strong sense of herself (she does to not be upset by the name calling) it is important that this situation is nipped in the bud before it it does affect her. Or indeed anybody else,if this boy is inclined towards bullying behaviours.

The boy himself may benefit from having it explained to him why name calling is unacceptable.

It has been discovered at school ( not sure how) that there were infact 2 boys involved and that they called her a "manky gypsy" not a monkey. They have both admitted to doing this, one immediately and one reluctantly.
Not sure which name is worse really.

These boys clearly need to have why what they were saying is wrong explained to them. Very clearly. I would imagine the one who was reluctant to admit it is the one to watch here,ring leader.