Head of Students News

Welcome back to a new school year at Marist College Ashgrove. We hope you and your families have enjoyed a refreshing break and are looking forward to the year ahead. This is a general reminder email to all students regarding uniform and hair expectations as we head back to school.

As we begin the new term, we would like to thank you in advance for your continued support in helping our students start the year well and set a positive tone. An important part of this is ensuring students meet the College’s expectations around personal presentation, particularly hair and uniform.

Over the first few days of term, teachers and Heads of House will be checking hair and uniform. We appreciate your assistance from home in ensuring students arrive ready, well-presented, and in full compliance with College expectations:

Haircuts

As previously communicated, students are expected to maintain a haircut that reflects College standards. Recently, we have observed a trend of hairstyles influenced by professional sportsmen, particularly styles where the sides are shaved while the top and back are left longer (the “modern mullet”). To clarify:

• No skin or zero fades
• Hair length must be uniform around the sides and back
• Students who shave the sides and leave the rest long will be asked to get a haircut

Ultimately, an untidy haircut is an untidy haircut. If it looks like a mullet – however modern that may be – it will need to be fixed.

In addition:

• Hair must be clean, brushed and generally neat
• Hair must be off the ears and collar
• Fringes must not reach the eyebrows, regardless of whether styled upwards or curled naturally
• No extremes in style or colour

• No layered, ridged or undercut styles

   

Please note: While a moderate, conservative low fade can be appropriate and neat for school, high fades and skin/zero fades are unacceptable.

Uniform Expectations

A student’s personal presentation is their non-verbal indication that they are present, ready to learn, and supportive of College expectations. This involves:

• Full and correct College uniform at all times, including before and after school
• Formal College hat worn to and from school, and for all excursions and formal occasions
• Shirt tucked in, socks up, and a plain black leather belt
• Polished black leather, lace-up school shoes

Uniform expectations extend from the moment a student gets dressed in the morning until they arrive home in the evening. This includes:

•  Before and after school
• At bus and train stations
• After training
• At shops (with or without parents)

If a student can be identified as an MCA student, they are representing the College and must be dressed in FULL school uniform. The same applies to sport – students must be in the correct, full sport uniform. We do not walk around in half MCA gear and half non-MCA gear, including footwear.

Please note:

• Slip-on shoes or black sport-style shoes (e.g. Air Force style) are not acceptable
• Thongs, Crocs and Birkenstocks are never part of the Marist College Ashgrove uniform

We thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to uphold the high standards of Marist College Ashgrove. Your assistance in reinforcing these expectations from the very start of the year is greatly appreciated.

I know the staff are looking forward to seeing all the students over the coming days.