Principal

The Importance of Uniforms and Grooming Expectations

At St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, every decision that we make has a logical and intentional rationale behind it. The way that our boys look beyond the school gates is impressive and many parents describe this at enrolment interviews. However, when it comes to enforcing our rules, we are challenged by some students and even more disappointingly, by their parents.

Such challenges have prompted me to write about why we have uniforms. Here are just some reasons St Patrick’s College and schools all over the world wear a uniform:

1. Uniforms give students a sense of belonging and enhance pride in their school. Wearing a uniform shows unity and identity. In much the same way football followers will wear their team’s jersey or scarf, a uniform builds a sense of community.
    
2. Uniforms help students prepare for the workforce. Whether it’s wearing safety gear in a construction job or corporate wear in an office, most jobs require a standard of dress.
    
3. Uniforms prevent crime. This may seem like a crazy fact but a school in California, United States experienced a 66% reduction in reportable crimes after introducing a mandatory uniform.
    
4. Uniforms cost less than a normal wardrobe. It may seem that some individual uniform items are expensive but when compared to having a whole wardrobe of different outfits, the overall price is much smaller.
    
5. Uniforms reduce peer pressure and bullying. Our students come from a wide range of family situations. Some are wealthy and others struggle. Students cannot be judged by their appearance because they are all wearing the same uniforms.
    
6. Uniforms help students study and do better in exams. The focus is on learning and not the clothing. Even at a university level where there are no uniforms, psychologists advise students to wear the same outfit in their classes as they will in the exam as it will help their recall. (I was surprised by that one!)
    
7. Uniforms make for a better learning environment. Macquarie University researchers found that where uniform policies are enforced, students were more disciplined and listened better. Classes began on time and there were lower noise levels.

Our Uniform Policy is to ensure the best outcomes for our students and the school and that is why we are constantly enforcing it. 

The same goes for our Grooming Policy. We have rules in place to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimise safety hazards. I will not repeat them all here because they are all in the students’ diaries but in short, we need parental support in consistently applying our Uniform and Grooming Codes. There are a couple of areas that need improvement:

• Facial hair: boys are not permitted to grow their facial hair and especially, to try to hide it under a face mask.
• Fade haircuts: the minimum clipper cut is a number 2. The hair needs to be evenly cut into a neat style.
• Jumpers in the street: Your son is not permitted to wear a jumper to and from school in summer. If he is cold, he needs to bring his blazer too. This includes all the boys being driven too and from school. If he gets in the car with a jumper because he is cold, send him back to get his blazer.

We seek your assistance in continuing our proud tradition at St Patrick’s College. Our uniform gives students a sense of belonging and enhances pride in their school. Wearing a uniform shows unity and identity. 

The Immeasurable Value of Retreats

Last week, our Class of 2023 went on retreat. The unfortunate timing of the HSC Mathematics exam posed a challenge for the boys that were Mathematics Accelerants. With the exception of a handful of boys, the rest went on to enjoy and participate in THE MOST significant event in our students’ calendar.

I have been asked why we place such importance on the Senior Retreat and the Reflection Days in younger years.

A retreat refreshes and revitalizes, gives the opportunity for more time spent in prayer and contemplation, and rekindles and deepens one’s relationship with God. One may take this opportunity to more clearly hear God’s call and to seek God’s healing grace and thereby attain a degree of spiritual renewal.  The purpose of a spiritual retreat, as an addition to daily spiritual activities, is to temporarily leave behind the usual distractions we all face for a time long enough to allow relaxation and for an inner change to occur: the ongoing conversion of heart that is critical to deepening faith. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes the necessity of such retreats: 

“In the fever and agitation of modern life, the need of meditation and spiritual repose impresses itself on Christian souls who desire to reflect on their eternal destiny and direct their life in this world towards God.”

Retreats differ from conferences, seminars, and meetings in that the primary work is interior spiritual development through a prolonged period of reflection rather than simply being exposed to information, techniques, and inspiration, then returned immediately to the daily routine. Our students have just enjoyed a 'time of reflection' where they had fun, involved themselves in meditation, contemplation, and prayer. The positive affirmations they received at the end of the retreat will have a profound impact on them. When they are down or troubled, they can reacquaint themselves with the way their friends perceive them.

Community News

• I am pleased to announce that Ms Adriana Lazkin, Visual Arts teacher, contacted me this week to let me know that Ellery June Tom made a safe arrival in the wee hours of Saturday morning weighing 3.050 kg and 51cm long. In her words, “we are all doing well thank God”.
   
• Three members of our teaching staff were married over the last three weeks: Ms Renee Emery, Ms Louise Clark and Ms Kathleen Angelopoulos. We wish them well as they embark on this new journey as a married couple.
   
• Mr Alex Fox (Year 12 Coordinator, First XV coach and PDHPE teacher) has recently become engaged to his fiancé, Maja. We wish them both well as they plan for their wedding day.

In Memoriam

We pray for Alexander Hudson (Year 9) on the loss of his grandfather, Old Boy John Joseph Tanna, who is also father to Old Boys Andrew Tanna and Paul Tanna. 

We pray for the repose of his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed.

Requiescat in Pace.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything!

**except divide by zero