We would like to pass on our thanks to parents and caregivers for ensuring that their children are arriving each day with correct school uniform. Our Deans greeting students at the gate each morning have commented on how well presented and prepared the vast majority are. As you can appreciate, the wearing of correct uniform is central to instilling not only pride, but also self-management.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents of our stance around uniform. Integral to the uniform is the blazer and tie (Bronze for Years 9 to 11, Black for Years 12 and 13) – these items must be worn every day. Similarly, shoes must be black, low cut leather/pleather shoes with no prominent logos or coloured soles. Sports shoes, fabric or canvas shoes, sandals etc. do not form part of the uniform.

In terms of the blazer, we have had questions around what happens on hot days. Whilst we do expect the blazer to be at school every day, we do also exercise common sense around the wearing of it whilst at school.

We advise that we do expect students to have their blazers on before entering any formal classroom or assembly venue – this is to allow teachers to quickly check that students are in correct uniform. Rest assured, once the students are in class our teachers do invite students to remove blazers. Similarly, at interval and lunchtime – students are not expected to wear the blazer in hot weather, although we do ask that the blazer is kept visible.

To ensure that students have uniform present and correct each day, we advise that uniforms are checked at a number of times during the course of transitions into classrooms/venues.

These are:

· Entering through the school gates

· Arrival at Hui Arotahi

· Prior to entry of classrooms

Students that are wearing uniform incorrectly (e.g. no tie, incorrect shoes, no blazer) are asked to correct the situation prior to entry to the classroom. If such a correction is not possible, the student is referred to their Dean, at which point a loan item of uniform will be issued so as to enable the student to continue with their learning. In an instance where a loan item is not available, our Deans will contact home as soon as possible to discuss the whereabouts of missing uniform.

At the time a loan item is issued, a pastoral note is entered which records the reason and date of return. Our student management system automatically generates a letter which is then emailed/posted home to advise parents/caregivers. The pastoral item is amended when the loan item is returned. We do ask that you contact the appropriate Dean should there be any difficulty in replacing an item of lost uniform.

Again, we thank you for the continued support that parents and caregivers provide to their children and to our school.