Education
How to Conduct a School Uniform Review… …that meets Department of Education Policy Changes!
Across Australia, many primary and secondary, state and private schools are reviewing and ‘modernising’ their uniforms. This is due to changing community expectations about what children should wear to school. If your school is looking to update its uniform, here’s what you need to know: Queensland’s Student Dress Code Policy Get a copy of the Queensland Department of Education School Dress Code policy. Whilst only state schools are bound to comply, all schools should consider aligning with this document. It is designed to respect the rights of students and schools. The Student Dress Code was updated on the 13th July 2018 and states that school uniform dress codes must: • be developed in consultation with the school community • be consistent with health and safety considerations • comply with anti-discrimination legislation • consider affordability, functionality and durability of uniform items • provide uniform options, including shorts and pants, in all uniform categories for all students, regardless of gender. Following this code ensures schools uphold anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation and lessens the possibility that students and parents will challenge the school dress code on discrimination and legal grounds. Using the Qld Ed Depts detailed checklist will step you through a successful uniform review.
Modern fabric and style
In Queensland, spring and summer get very hot, and all students (male and female) need shorts available that are cool and comfortable. Similarly, some of our winter days can be extremely cool, and all students should have the option to wear comfortable long pants. For many schools, the wearing of shorts and pants has been limited to boys’ uniforms. An easy way to modernise the uniform is to add girls’ shorts and pants to the uniform policy. Similarly, allowing students to wear shorts or long pants at any stage of the year based on whether the individual feels hot or cold is a sensible position.
Fashions change with time, and while school uniforms do not need to respond to every fashion trend, they should include a range of options, be made of materials, and be in the colours, that young people want to wear. Choosing breathable, stretchy and natural materials with high S.P.F. protection, in basic colours, adds to student comfort and makes items easier to launder and maintain. Creating a uniform that reflects how students dress outside of school, and one that students like, goes a long way to ensuring that they will wear it, and wear it properly, reducing the many uniform infractions schools deal with daily. An experienced uniform supplier such as Weareco, located in Brisbane can help navigate these choices. Find out more about them at: www.weareco.com.au
Student comfort
Cost and Availability
Several schools have modernised their uniform by allowing students to choose from a range of uniform options and removing the requirement that boys wear ties and long socks, and girls wear skirts and dresses.
Choosing colours that are widely available ensures the cost is kept down if parents can buy generic versions at local stores. Consider making all uniform options available for all students to wear and check that the cost
The weather
16
Placing the comfort of students as a key consideration when redesigning your uniform will help you design a uniform that supports the range of activities modern students engage in each school day, not just during sport.
Your Local Families Magazine August/September 2018