“Miss, her eyeliner’s distracting me.”
“I can’t focus his hair’s touching his collar.”
“I’m upset because she has two earrings.”
Before joining our college, I went to a public school like many students of WCC. Yes, it may have been primary school so obviously there were very different expectations however, the main difference I noticed were the uniform expectations. While uniform rules help with maintaining certain standards, the emphasis on appearance of how we present ourselves or what we look like may sometimes overshadow what’s truly important.
Now let’s get into the heart of the reasons why by providing some examples of things students have never once said.
Often many schools have strict uniform policies regarding jewellery, hair, shoes, etc. As teenagers, we understand why there are rules in play, however, many of us find these rules quite frustrating – as we want to strive to be our own person and make decisions about our appearance.
Many privates’ schools follow a similar set of rules with the amount of jewellery, colour of hair, hair length for boys and facial hair. Schools do tend to explain why they have these rules set such as getting students ready for real jobs, while certain professions do have strict dress codes, many modern and growing workplaces embrace individuality and creativity. We often see many professionals expressing their unique styles without it impacting their performance.
At William Clarke College, many people encourage us to wear our uniform with pride and they are right – we should be proud to go to this school. However, pride in one’s school also include the experiences we have, our friendships, and our achievements. Allowing students small personal choices, like a favourite hairstyle or a simple piece of jewellery might seem like a silly request but can help students feel more connected and confident.
In Australia, wearing a uniform is very normal – every school private or public have uniform however, some of the points when bringing up rules regarding accessories or hair or makeup might feel outdated or misaligned with the goals of students. Students go to school for the same reason, to get an education and many of us, I being one of them ask the same question,
“How does my appearance effect my education?”
Going to a private and prestigious school is a privilege and honour, however, some may argue that true pride and identity stem from a sense of belonging based on shared experiences, values, or achievements – not for whether a hair tie colour doesn’t align with school colours. Now don’t get me wrong, we go to an amazing school and letting students have one necklace or haircuts that still look presentable isn’t going to change that. Allowing a few harmless personal touches to our own appearance might even give students a sense of comfort.
