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
The full list of Leongatha Secondary College’s compulsory school uniform items are available at Appendix A to this policy.
General appearance
General appearance
While at school, travelling to or from school and when applicable, whilst students are undertaking school excursions. 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 Buxwear (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 only. Sport uniforms must be brought to school and changed into for physical education classes, unless those classes commence Period 1.
Hair and Sun 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.
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.
Jewellery
All jewellery worn by students must comply with Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
Hats
Hats are not to be worn inside. School beanies are only permitted outdoors.
PURCHASE OF UNIFORMS
Uniform items can be purchased from Buxwear online via the school website, or via retail store 29 Hammersley Drive. Clyde North.
Support for families experiencing difficulty
Please contact the Principal, Business Manager or the Student Wellbeing team to discuss support that we may be able to provide to families experiencing difficulty meeting uniform costs, including information about eligibility for uniform support through State Schools’ Relief. Further information about State Schools’ Relief is also available on their website: htps://www.ssr.net.au/
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 recognise that there may be situations where the application of this dress code may affect students unequally.
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 this code prevents the student from complying with a requirement of their religious, ethnic or cultural beliefs or background
- the student has a particular disability or health condition that requires a departure from the dress code
- the student or their parents/carers can demonstrate particular economic 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/carers
- 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. If an exemption is not allowed, then written reasons will be provided to the student and/or their parents or 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 Parent Complaint Policy, available on the College website.
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
- Distributed through Compass
- Hard copy available from school administration upon request
Further information and resources
- Department of Education and Training Student Dress Code
- Department of Education and Training Student Engagement policies and guidelines
APPENDIX A: Leongatha Secondary College UNIFORM ITEMS
The following items are listed as the options available to wear as Everyday Uniform:
Everyday Uniform
- Pants – Flat Front Trouser (Colour: Navy Blue)
- Pants – Slacks Shaped Fit (Colour: Navy Blue)
- Shorts – Junior Shorts – Shaped Fit (Colour: Navy Blue)
- Shorts – Flat Front Shorts – Unisex Fit (Colour: Navy Blue)
- “Sports shorts” – Shorter Style Unisex Fit (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- “Sports shorts” – Longer Style Unisex Fit (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- Dress – Summer Dress (Colour: Checked White & Green)
- Skirt – Summer Skirt Shaped Fit (Colour: Navy Blue & Green Tartan)
- Skirt – Low Waist Winter Skirt Shaped Fit (Colour: Navy Blue & Green Tartan)
- Shirt – Long Sleeve Deluxe Blouse Shaped Fit (Colour: White)
- Shirt – Long Sleeve Deluxe Shirt Unisex Fit (Colour: White)
- Shirt – Short Sleeve Deluxe Shirt Unisex Fit (Colour: White)
- Polo – Short sleeve polo (Colour: Navy Blue with Gold and Green tones + Logo)
- Jumper – ½ Zip Polar Fleece (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- Jacket – Puffer Jacket (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- Jacket – Softshell Jacket (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- Rugby Top – Rugby Top Unisex Fit (Colour: Navy Blue with Gold and Green Stripes + Logo)
- Long Sleeve Tee – Unisex Fit – layering purposes only (Colour: Navy Blue)
- Socks – Plain black or Plain white (No visible logo design or pattern)
- Shoes – All black closed-toe shoes (No higher than ankle-height)
NO HOODIES: The only exception: Year 12 students, wearing school designed commemorative hoodie
Sports Uniform
The LSC Sport Uniform may be worn to and from school when students are attending whole day sport activities only. Sport uniforms must be brought to school and changed into for physical education classes, unless those classes commence Period 1. The following items are listed as options available to wear as Sports Uniform:
- Polo – Sports polo – House colours (Colour: Navy Blue with House Colours + Logo)
- Polo – Short sleeve polo (Colour: Navy Blue with Gold and Green tones + Logo)
- “Sports shorts” – Shorter Style Unisex Fit (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- “Sports shorts” – Longer Style Unisex Fit (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
Active wear – tights/leggings (Colour: Navy or Black only)
Accessories
- Scarf (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo)
- Beanie (Colour: Navy Blue, White, Green and Gold + Logo) Note: For outdoor wearing / use only
- Bucket Hat (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo) Note: For outdoor wearing / use only
- Cap (Colour: Navy Blue + Logo) Note: For outdoor wearing / use only