Ian Filer
On Monday 15th June the uniform committee met to discuss the current uniform policy that was approved by Governing Council in May 2018.
We would like to confirm the 2 year grace period of uniform rollover has closed/ended. Some of the items discussed were:
- As of now, only school jumpers, grey and yellow embroided/logo polo’s and school jackets are to be worn. This means, black hooded tops, jumpers and cardigans can no longer be worn.
- ANY store purchased black parka can be worn outside.
- School uniform shop will remain closed and all sales are available via QKR! We will open the uniform shop at the beginning of the year for a couple of weeks and at the end of year for Foundation Transition visits etc. new students to the school.
- Measurements for sizing of uniform items will be added to QKR!.
- Front Office staff will open as needed to help parents with sizing/ swapping items etc.
- We are investigating avenues for the sale of second hand uniform.
- The issues with the current batch of fabric used to make the grey polo’s has been acknowledged and we are pleased to confirm that the next order of polo’s will return to original fabric.
Please find attached a copy of our current Uniform Policy in place at our school. Our Uniform Policy is up for review and we are keen to seek input from parents. Please do so by the end of week 2 Term 3 via brightonps.info@schools.sa.edu.au or comment below.
Ian
I am concerned about the direction of the School’s uniform Policy in regards to reduced options for school jumpers.
I appreciate and understand the purpose of a school uniform however I feel reducing the options for school jumpers places child at risk due to the impact this policy could have on families.
In reducing the school jumper options from plain “black” I feel that some children may have increased vulnerability. As we know child protection is a community responsibility and as a school we need to promote safety for children and I feel this uniform change impacts on this.
The school jumper is a removable item, where children will often take it off during the course of a school day. In this process there is the risk of the jumper being misplaced or lost. When families have affordable replacement options they are better able to provide another jumper for their child(ren). When the jumper options are limited and the cost being $45/$37 I worry that some families may not have the option of replacement and that some children will have to go without a jumper during cold weather. Some children also may be more vulnerable to harsher discipline when the cost of a uniform item is high in value.
The school shirts, trousers, shorts etc. are all items that children will have on for the day and therefore the risk of losing an item is diminished. I believe we have a responsibility to have affordable outerwear options for families to reduce the risk to children being inadequately clothed in colder weather. For some this cost may seem minimal but for many families it isn’t and school uniforms are often a source of stress for families. We are a public school and should not be putting families under undue financial pressure.
The school dress code administrative instruction states “All decisions should take into account the diverse nature of the student population in the school and not disadvantage any student. The economic, personal, social and cultural factors affecting students and their families must be considered when deciding on items of uniform” and the “cost of compliance considered”. The proposed changes are likely to have a detrimental and unnecessary financial impact on many families. The dress code administration also states that “school dress codes should not prescribe that parents are only permitted to purchase the school uniform items from a single contracted supplier. However, parents must be advised that any non-logo or non-monogram uniform item purchased for school use should be imprinted with the school’s logo as soon as possible after purchase”. In light of this I wonder why the option of self applied school logos was removed from the uniform code if it is held important to have the school logo on jumpers.
Furthermore the School dress code administrative instruction mentions in design and concept that uniform requirements such as the fabric and practicality are also considered. The proposed options both have zips which for some students may be an issue, in regards to operational functionality and sensory needs. The fabric options are also limited and don’t account for breathability and skin conditions, especially as fleece is known to be quite warm which can cause people with skin conditions to have increased “itching”.
I strongly urge the School Council to reconsider it’s policy in regards to removable outwear (jumpers) as I feel the new policy will place undue hardship on families and cause some children to be disadvantaged during colder months.
I am concerned about the direction of the School’s uniform Policy in regards to reduced options for school jumpers.
I appreciate and understand the purpose of a school uniform however I feel reducing the options for school jumpers places child at risk due to the impact this policy could have on families.
In reducing the school jumper options from plain “black” I feel that some children may have increased vulnerability. As we know child protection is a community responsibility and as a school we need to promote safety for children and I feel this uniform change impacts on this.
The school jumper is a removable item, where children will often take it off during the course of a school day. In this process there is the risk of the jumper being misplaced or lost. When families have affordable replacement options they are better able to provide another jumper for their child(ren). When the jumper options are limited and the cost being $45/$37 I worry that some families may not have the option of replacement and that some children will have to go without a jumper during cold weather. Some children also may be more vulnerable to harsher discipline when the cost of a uniform item is high in value.
The school shirts, trousers, shorts etc. are all items that children will have on for the day and therefore the risk of losing an item is diminished. I believe we have a responsibility to have affordable outerwear options for families to reduce the risk to children being inadequately clothed in colder weather. For some this cost may seem minimal but for many families it isn’t and school uniforms are often a source of stress for families. We are a public school and should not be putting families under undue financial pressure.
The school dress code administrative instruction states “All decisions should take into account the diverse nature of the student population in the school and not disadvantage any student. The economic, personal, social and cultural factors affecting students and their families must be considered when deciding on items of uniform” and the “cost of compliance considered”. The proposed changes are likely to have a detrimental and unnecessary financial impact on many families. The dress code administration also states that “school dress codes should not prescribe that parents are only permitted to purchase the school uniform items from a single contracted supplier. However, parents must be advised that any non-logo or non-monogram uniform item purchased for school use should be imprinted with the school’s logo as soon as possible after purchase”. In light of this I wonder why the option of self applied school logos was removed from the uniform code if it is held important to have the school logo on jumpers.
Furthermore the School dress code administrative instruction mentions in design and concept that uniform requirements such as the fabric and practicality are also considered. The proposed options both have zips which for some students may be an issue, in regards to operational functionality and sensory needs. The fabric options are also limited and don’t account for breathability and skin conditions, especially as fleece is known to be quite warm which can cause people with skin conditions to have increased “itching”.
I strongly urge the School Council to reconsider it’s policy in regards to removable outwear (jumpers) as I feel the new policy will place undue hardship on families and cause some children to be disadvantaged during colder months.
Tanya and Tim-I have forwarded your comments to parent members of the Uniform committee who will respond on behalf of Governing Council.
Ian
This is disappointing. While I understand the need for a school uniform, and the reasoning is valid, I think if the committee had consulted with parents, as I have, they would understand why children are not wearing correct uniform on occasion. It’s not because they couldn’t be bothered, or because they are rebelling against the system. It’s because they simply cannot afford it. Especially when the child is growing fast and they are forced to upsize more than once a year and especially when their child comes home filthy and the uniform needs to washed. In winter especially, it can be a bit difficult to dry a school jumper, for instance, overnight. At $45 each, and you’d need two, it can get a bit expensive if only being used for 4 or 5 months. This doesn’t sound like too much but, for some, it is a lot. This is compounded when people have multiple children in the school. Second hand items are few and far between. To top it all off, some might have OSHC, sport, excursions, special canteen orders, transport etc.
One simple solution might be to consider supplying the school logo as a sew on or iron on patch to cut this cost. I know from past experience these patches can be manufactured in bulk very cheaply and sold to parents for as little as $5. Parents I have spoken to agree with me that a patch would be a cheaper, easier option.
Thanks Tim. We are consulting parents as is evidenced by your post and we encourage other parents to do the same-we made this offer late last term. We find that the reason students are not wearing our school uniform appears to be one of non compliance by the child -am attempt to challenge what we are asking students to wear, although this is not common. A second, more common reason is the student’s uniform is being washed and he/she does not have a replacement-we readily accept this and exempt students accordingly. You raise a very good point regarding second hand uniforms. The committee is exploring this option and hope to be able to have something in place in the very near future. I also acknowledge that cost can be a factor for parents. I encourage other parents to express their view via this forum or through the school’s email- as you have stated that you have spoken to other parents-it would be good to hear their views also.
Ian.
I am in agreement with Tim, and in conversation with other families of the school find that most parents are not happy with the purposed changes either as they are just not affordable.