Not Quite the Impact We Hoped to Have on the Community

**This is an excerpt from our local school's newsletter.  Apparently, The Boy has stirred up  some excitement with his self-exploration through hair-styles...

 

UNIFORM AND HAIR STYLES: 

As I have said before on many occasions, how we present ourselves as a school is viewed very

closely by our local and wider community. Wearing our school uniform with pride and being neat and tidy in presentation sets a standard that we will be judged by in our society. We are not attempting to stifle individuality, yet it is important that as a school, we are meeting the

expectations of what is reasonable within the local community. There are plenty of opportunities for students to express their individuality with dress and hair styles such as on school holidays, weekends, free dress days etc. 

 

Therefore, I would like to outline a few important aspects of compliance which we expect as a

school in relation to how students present themselves: 

 

All students need to be in school uniform each day, unless they have a note explaining why they cannot be in uniform on that day.

Jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces, anklets, rings etc are not to be worn unless they are for medical or religious reasons. This is a safety issue.  Students are permitted to wear a watch.

Hairstyles need to be neat and tidy, with hair of shoulder length or longer, worn up in plaits or the like. 

Styles such as tracks in the hair, mohawks or obvious colouring is not in keeping with school

expectations unless it is a particular school event eg: Think Pink or Crazy Hair Day and these

styles/colours are only for that special event.

 

Whether you agree with these expectations or not, we do want to portray an image of a school that is proud of its image and what it stands for in the community.  Thank you for your continued support and compliance with our dress code.

 

Reprinted WITHOUT permission.

 

While we are disappointed that our school has decided to take this type of a stand, we are completely respectful that it is up to the school administration to set these guidelines.  We may agree, or we may disagree, but there is no doubt now that we have made an impact, as these guidelines will now be included in the school handbook.  Oops.

 

**Please note that I have purposefully tried not to identify the school here.  It's not about bashing that school at all... only about letting our friends and family know that while we are downunder, we are still stirring up trouble.   :o