Australia’s toughest school dress codes revealed

A ban on buzz cuts and restrictions on earring size have been identified as some of the strictest school uniform rules at private schools across the country.

An analysis by The Daily Telegraph of uniform policies across a number of faith-based schools identified some of the more extreme examples of dress codes in Australia.

Australia’s private schools continue to enforce strict uniform policies amid calls from Gender Equity* Victoria to embrace unisex* uniforms for students. 

Policy documents from public schools in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia all include non-gendered or gender-neutral* uniform options for students.

But Christian schools say their strict standards ensure harmony among students and promote their schools’ individual values.

Strict uniform policies are often a source of pride for Christian schools which they say set them apart from other schools.

UNIFORM PATROL
Schools such as Summerland Christian College in NSW reference a ‘Uniform Officer’ in their policy which has the authority to decide how appropriate the uniform and appearance of a student is.

At Summerland, the uniform officer “can require the student to measure the length (of the skirt) from the knee”.

“Skirts should be worn so that there is less than a 10-12 cm gap between the knee and the skirt hem,” the policy states.

It claims these measures are “part of the College identity and gives a sense of belonging” to students.

Christian Cedar College’s (South Australia) policy has strict jewellery requirements, including the dos and don'ts of earrings, a limit on one bangle and, surprisingly, no crucifix necklaces to be worn.

Cedar College also provides complex flowcharts to help students and families to understand the school’s strict dress requirements which it says “enhances unity and equality”.

Northside Christian College in Queensland enforces “moderate style” haircuts and determines “no cut below a ‘number three’ is acceptable” under threat of a suspension.

Girls at Northside cannot wear a stud earring more than 5mm in diameter.

It claims these measures “aligns with College attitudes and behaviours that aspire for excellence”.

Caloundra Christian College in Queensland has a 17-page uniform policy complete with diagrams and tables.

The policy states this is because “the way (students) conduct (themselves) and dress speaks to who (they) are and the standards (they) hold”.

Most school uniform policies prohibit make-up on girls and set clear differences between boys’ and girls’ dress codes.

Alistair Macpherson from Associated Christian Schools, who represent 45 schools in Queensland, including some of the schools referenced here, said it is often up to Christian schools to decide a uniform policy that suits their individual beliefs and circumstances.

“Uniform Policies are important to many of our schools, as they bring consistency of appearance, demonstrate the professionalism that our schools strive for and encourage their students to attain, provide a basis for students to take pride in their appearance and presentation, and demonstrate school unity to the broader community,” he said.

Gender Equity Victoria chief executive Micaela Drieberg argued uniform policies can “perpetuate* rigid gender stereotypes*” and called for schools to embrace unisex uniforms.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• gender equity: the fair and just treatment of both men and women, boys and girls by taking into account the diverse needs of both sexes as well as any imbalance caused by historical discrimination and cultural barriers
• unisex: suitable for both boys and girls to wear
• gender-neutral: not relating to one specific gender
• perpetuate: to make something continue
• gender stereotypes: oversimplified beliefs about the roles and behaviours considered appropriate for boys and girls. An example would be that girls like wearing dresses and playing mums while boys like playing fighting games, when really, lots of girls hate wearing dresses and like playing rough while many boys may want to wear dresses but are scared they will be shamed for not fitting in with the gender stereotype

EXTRA READING
Students protest school’s personal grooming policy
Aussie students fight mullet ban
Girls want school uniform rule change

QUICK QUIZ
1. Which school doesn’t allow a haircut below a number three?
2. How does Summerland Christian College determine if the length of a student’s skirt is acceptable?
3. Which type of schools in NSW, the ACT, WA and Queensland offer a gender-neutral uniform option?
4. Which Christian college doesn’t allow crucifix necklaces to be worn?
5. Why is Gender Equity Victoria calling for schools to embrace unisex uniform options?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Review your school’s uniform policy
Obtain a copy of your school’s uniform policy, from their website or from your teacher. Read it and then answer the following questions:

• What is given as the reason for or purpose of the policy?
• Who decided on the policy?
• What does it state that students should wear at school?
• Is there anything that students cannot wear or have?
• In your view, is your school’s uniform policy strictly enforced? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
• If there was one thing you could change in your school’s uniform policy, what would it be?

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
Draw a redesigned version of your school’s uniform. Label three features that are different from the current uniform and explain the benefits.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Design and Technologies

VCOP ACTIVITY
Let’s practise taking notes
When note-taking, we want to be able to extract the key pieces of information from the text or presentation. You start with determining the main idea: if you had to explain to someone in a sentence what the article is about, what would you say?

Then back up the main idea with two to four key points to support what you first stated.

What would you put as the main idea and supporting points to back up this article?

Once you have had a go at note-taking.

Share your results with a peer to see if you identified the same information or different.

Discuss the finding if you came up with different information.