DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

The uniform policy at St Mary MacKillop College plays an important role in fostering a sense of community, equality, and focus among our students. By wearing the designated school uniform, students are not only representing our school's values and standards but are also contributing to a learning environment free from distractions and social pressures related to clothing choices. Uniforms are by nature regulated by a set of standards and we expect students to meet these standards. 

We are noticing that adherence to the uniform policy has become inconsistent among some students. Many students are choosing to wear the PE uniform instead of the school uniform and some students are wearing the tartan skirt and dress at an incorrect length. The winter skirt should be hemmed at mid knee and not rolled up. This also helps with warmth. The dress should be hemmed no higher than 10 cm above the knee.  Long sleeve t-shirts should not be visibly worn under any short sleeved uniform item eg. polo shirts or dresses. We have all noticed the change in weather however our uniform was deliberately designed with options for warmth and all our classrooms are well heated. Many aspects of our lives require us to dress to a standard - the workplace, sporting teams, and debutante balls. Part of being in a community is knowing what that expectation is and meeting that expectation; at our school, wearing the correct uniform is an expectation.

To maintain the positive impact of our uniform policy, we request your support in ensuring that your child wears the correct uniform every day. This week I wrote to parents seeking support in ensuring that things are in place for students to make the best choice about upholding our uniform policy and standards. At secondary school, students are growing in both maturity and responsibility and I would say in most cases they should be capable of managing their own uniform, laundering aside perhaps! If students continue to do the wrong thing in terms of the wearing of the school uniform there will be follow up consequences. We are very appreciative of the many students who are doing the right thing in regards to the uniform. 

Over the last two weeks, I have had the pleasure of accompanying our students on excursions out of our district. Last week I travelled with the Girl's Soccer Team to Bendigo and this week to Melbourne with the students competing in Dante Aligihieri. On both occasions I was exceptionally proud of the way our students conducted themselves. The students competing in the soccer competition were tenacious and gave everything they had, even as they played in the rain! They demonstrated great sportsmanship and encouraged each other from start to finish. The students who competed in the Dante Alighieri poetry competition were prepared, committed and also gave their best. Both occasions had three things in common - the students represented our College with pride, they expressed gratitude for the experience and opportunity and they participated with joy. School life offers us the chance to do many things and I encourage all of our students to say ‘yes’ to the opportunities to go outside their comfort zone, to discover things yet unknown, to do things even when it makes them feel nervous and to enter into the wider world beyond the classroom. Life is to be lived!