Purpose
The purpose of the Student Dress Code is to outline Leongatha Secondary College’s requirements for student dress and appearance and to provide information about uniform purchase and support, dress code implementation and exemption processes.
This dress code has been developed by Leongatha Secondary College’s School Council in close consultation with our school community to ensure that it respects the rights of individual students whilst reflecting the values and interests of our community.
The Student Dress Code aims to:
- foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance
- support Leongatha Secondary College’s commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities.
- reduce student competition on the basis of clothing
- enhance the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community.
The School Council has developed a dress code that we believe provides a range of choices for students and is cost effective for families.
Scope
Students are expected to comply with this Student Dress Code while traveling to and from school, during school hours and when attending school activities.
Policy
UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE
At Leongatha Secondary College students can wear any uniform item regardless of gender.
General appearance
While at school, travelling to or from school or participating in school activities, students must comply with the following:
- Uniforms must be clean and in good repair
- Uniforms should be clearly marked with the owner’s name
- Additional layers of clothing may be worn underneath the uniform for added warmth, provided these undergarments are completely hidden. There are undergarment options provided for purchase from Noone (For the sake of clarity, hooded jumpers “Hoodies” are not able to be worn as undergarments).
- The LSC Sport Uniform may be worn to and from school when students are attending whole day sport activities or have scheduled physical education classes only. Students also have the opportunity to change into the LSC sports uniform using school facilities prior to physical education classes, if this is preferred.
Health and safety
Hair shoulder length or longer must be tied back during practical activities for student safety.
As we are a secondary school, we expect students to take responsibility for being sun smart by wearing a school hat during outdoor activities or stay in the shade, if not wearing sunscreen. Hats are not to be worn inside.
Students are permitted to wear sunglasses during outdoor activities. Sunglasses should be close-fitting, wrap-around style that meet the Australian Standards 1067 and cover as much of the eye area as possible.
All jewellery worn by students must comply with Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
PURCHASE OF UNIFORMS
Uniform items can be purchased from Noone online via the school website, or via retail store 29 Hammersley Drive. Clyde North.
Permitted non-branded uniform items can also be purchased from department stores.
Second-hand uniform items are available from the second hand uniform shop located on Compass or speak to the College Front Office.
The School Council has consulted with the school community and worked to ensure the student uniform is affordable, including by [INSERT measures to minimise uniform costs]. However, if you are facing difficulty meeting uniform costs the Help with school costs and fees page provides advice on support offered by the Victorian Government. If your child is starting Year 7 and is eligible to receive support via the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, you may be eligible to access the Affordable School Uniform program through State Schools’ Relief.
Please contact the College Front Office to discuss support that we may be able to provide.
IMPLEMENTATION
Leongatha Secondary College will ensure that this Student Dress Code is communicated to all families and students via Compass, our website and social media. We will assist students who may be experiencing difficulties complying with this policy where possible.
If a student is out of school uniform or otherwise breaches the Student Dress Code on a recurring basis, an email will be provided to the student and parents/carers by the Year Level Coordinator and/or Student Engagement Officer. If non-compliance with the dress code becomes a continued occurrence, the Principal/Assistant Principal will be informed and a phone call home may be required. In this event, the college will continue to work with the student and family to support compliance.
EXEMPTIONS TO STUDENT DRESS CODE
We acknowledge that the enforcement of this Student Dress Code may impact students differently.
Students and their parents or carers may apply either in writing or in person to the Principal/Assistant Principal for an exemption to this Student Dress Code if:
- an aspect of the code:
- prevents students from being able to attend school or participate in school activities on the same terms as other students because of the personal characteristics referred to in human rights and anti-discrimination requirements
- offends a religious belief held by the student or parents/carers
- prevents students from complying with a requirement of their religious, ethnic or cultural background
- the student has a particular disability or health condition that requires a departure from the dress code
- the student or the parents/carers can demonstrate financial hardship that prevents them from complying with the dress code.
When the principal receives a request for an exemption, they will:
- consider the grounds for the exemption request
- explain the process to the student and/or their parents/carer
- guarantee that issues of a personal nature revealed to substantiate the request will be strictly confidential
- encourage the student and/or their parents/carers to support their application with evidence.
The principal or delegate will then try to negotiate a resolution that is acceptable to all parties, including providing advice about support with meeting uniform costs. If an exemption is not allowed, then written reasons will be provided to the student and/or their parents/carers.
CONCERNS ABOUT THIS STUDENT DRESS CODE
Leongatha Secondary College welcomes feedback from the school community in relation to this Student Dress Code. If you have a concern or complaint about the Student Dress Code, further information about raising a concern or complaint is available in our school’s Complaint Policy.
Communication
This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:
- Available publicly on our school’s website
- Discussed at staff briefings/meetings as required
- Included in transition and enrolment packs
- Discussed at parent information nights/sessions
- Hard copy available from school administration upon request
Views on our student dress code have been invited from the whole school community including:
- parent/carers
- teachers and other school staff
- students
The school community consultation invited feedback about uniform cost and affordability. This feedback has been recorded, carefully considered and incorporated into the student dress code policy where appropriate.
Further information and resources
- FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
- Complaint Policy
- Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
- Inclusion and Diversity Policy
- Department of Education Student Dress Code
- Department of Education Student Engagement
POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL
For future reviews of this Student Dress Code, we will consult with our school community through the following mechanisms:
- surveys
- focus groups
- information on our website
The community will be given advance notice of the consultation process and timelines. The consultation will be open for at least 2 weeks.
Consultation materials will be translated into community languages.
APPENDIX A: Leongatha Secondary College UNIFORM ITEMS
- Students can wear any uniform item regardless of season.
- Approved commemorative uniform items such as the Year 12 Hoodie and Polo are accepted as part of the uniform.
The following items are listed as the options available to wear as Everyday Uniform:
| EVERYDAY/COMPULSORY UNIFORM ITEMS |
|
| OPTIONAL UNIFORM ITEMS |
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| SPORTS UNIFORM |
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| FOOTWEAR |
|
*These items are available from Noone. Items without the school branding can also be purchased from other retailers.