Rationale

The School Education Regulations 2000 empowers school communities to develop a dress code for the children attending their school. The regulations allow a school to establish what is safe and appropriate to wear at school and on excursions as well as determine what is inappropriate. The relevant Regulation states:

33. The following matters may be provided for in a government school's dress code:

standards of what is acceptable in relation to the clothing worn by students at the school including headwear or footwear;
standards of what is acceptable in relation to other aspects of the personal presentation of students.

Issues relating to the implementation of a school dress code are covered under Regulations 33

– 36 of the School Education Regulations 2000.

Purpose

It is our belief that the wearing of a school uniform:

Fosters and enhances the public image of the school;
Builds pride in the school;
Assists in building school unity and team spirit;
Ensures that children are safely dressed and easily identified for specific school activities;
Encourages equity amongst children through minimising competition between children to wear expensive or fashionable clothing;
Reduces pressure on parents to provide expensive/fashionable clothing; and,
Provides an economical and affordable range of clothing for everyone.

Having a policy that acknowledges the school community's support of these beliefs allows the school to make a clear statement about its expectations of the children in this context.

The Department of Education and Training's Dress Requirements for Students states:

"Denim items must be excluded from all school dress codes and uniforms except where a school has been granted a general exemption for its senior students."

At Bunbury Primary School the school uniform consists of:

Red polo style shirt with school logo;
Red rugby jumper or zip front windcheater with school logo;
Black or tartan shorts/skirts/skorts;
Black pants (jazz, cargo, tracksuit, etc); and,
Faction shirt (gold, blue, green or red). The school uniform is also the interschool uniform.

Guidelines

1. Children:

Are encouraged to wear school uniform each day they are at school;
Will, where appropriate (for safety reasons), be required to wear school uniform when on excursions or representing the school in public forums;
Need to wear footwear that is appropriate for the activities in which they are involved –
- Daily lessons (shoes/joggers or sandals with ankle strap); and,
- Physical education/sport (jogger style shoes).
Children must wear sunsafe hats whilst engaging in outdoor activities, play, recreation and breaks;
- Sunsafe hats are defined as broad brimmed hats or Legionnaire's type hats;
- Baseball, football club type caps and visors are not acceptable alternatives as they do not provide adequate protection;
- Children who fail to wear suitable sunsafe hats will be precluded from engaging in outdoor activities until they are equipped with the headwear; and,
- The Principal and Teachers can grant exemptions for certain activities in which the wearing of a hat is impractical; for example; athletics events.
Should not wear, for reasons of safety:
- Jewellery; and,
- Items that are likely to catch or snag.
Should not wear denim clothing.

2. A parent may apply to the principal (on behalf of their child) for an exemption from aspects of the dress code on any of the following grounds:

A matter relating to the child's health;
A matter relating to religious beliefs of the child or their family;
A matter relating to the cultural background of the child or their family; and,
Any other matter which, in the principal’s opinion, is sufficient to exempt the child from complying with the requirements.

3. The principal has the ability to give an exemption to a child as they see fit.

4. Exemptions may be granted on a permanent, defined-period or conditional basis and can be revoked by the principal at any time; and

5. Where a child is not following the school dress code (unless they have an exemption):

The matter will be discussed with their parent/carer;
The child will be encouraged to meet the requirements of the dress code (in a positive way);
Assistance will be provided (as applicable) to assist the child to meet any specific requirements; and,
The child will not be able to publicly represent the school or go on an excursion (unless it is part of the essential educational programme of the school).