From the Acting Headmaster

I suspect that many in our community received the same advice my Dad gave me on more than one occasion. As I was a principled and firey teenager, he would often say, "Choose the hill you want to die on!" At the time, it made little sense to me yet, as I matured, the common sense of this statement became abundantly clear. 

Over recent weeks our staff team at BMGS have been honing an approach to improving how our students wear their school uniform. For as long as schools have had uniform codes, young people have challenged them, which is neither new nor surprising. I know I did, and I suspect I would have parents and caregivers reading this piece who would share similar protests of their youthful years. 

But it does become an issue when there is inconsistency around expectations. In some ways, this Newsletter piece is a gentle 'line in the sand' moment that placards our recommitment to the appropriate wearing of the BMGS uniform. We want to be sure that the way we present our School reflects our history and our place in the Blue Mountains community, and the value we place on others, including not just ourselves but also our friends, our School, our peers and our community. 

To this end, I invite all parents and caregivers to join us in lifting the uniform standard in our School. The staff are committed to this, so we ask that when your child prepares for school, you remind them of the expectation. We must do this across all aspects of school as well, including the daily wearing of uniforms, wearing BMGS tracksuits to Saturday sports or being properly attired to receive an award at assembly and more. 

Getting it right will depend more on adult consistency than giant steps and battles of attrition. Again, I invite you to join us in this intention. 

Along with the staff, I have been gently speaking with our students about the simple steps towards uniform consistency. I have used a list that has included the following:

• Top buttons being done up
• Boys' shirts tucked in
• Wearing proper leather shoes (not black joggers)
• BMGS Blazers and jumpers - not puffer jackets
• Removing piercings that do not meet the uniform policy 
• Toning down makeup
• Toning down any hair colour
• Hair pulled back and tied

You might be surprised to know that in most cases, our student's response has been to readily agree to these simple requests. The banter is well-intentioned, born out of healthy relationships, and it is never punitive. 

Over time we will engage with the students to hear their voices on uniform preferences and considerations. This is important and, in it, we will consider options that might assist our young people in being more measured in uniform indiscretions. This will include options for when the weather is at its coldest. 

For most, wearing a uniform is enjoyable - it connects you to others, means you belong, removes status, and reminds us that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. The expectation of wearing a uniform well is a relatively minor matter compared to some of the significant issues facing young people across the globe. 

To elaborate on my Dad's comment, let's remind our young people that uniform 'is not a hill worth dying on.' We will continue to keep you posted as we walk this path.

Mr Steven Coote 

Acting Headmaster