Deputy News – Uniforms

College Uniforms

The start of the school year has seen us partner with Alinta as new uniform suppliers, as well as continue with a strong focus on ensuring our uniforms are worn with pride by our students.

There have been some teething issues as we have begun this new relationship and some of our students are questioning what the rules are around both the wearing of the uniform and the state of uniform items that is acceptable.

Our College Uniform Committee (made up of staff, students, parents, P&F and Old Boy representatives) met last Wednesday to discuss these issues as well as look at future uniform requirements.

With these things in mind, please see below answers to some frequently asked questions around the uniform at Marist College Ashgrove in 2021.

Uniform Shop

Pricing

In moving to Alinta as a provider of our uniforms, most of our formal items have reduced slightly in price; however, there has been an increase in price to the College sports shirt. This was a decision made by the College as the shirts provided by Alinta are made in a performance fabric designed to wear more comfortably for the boys, retain their colour and last longer than previous items.

A further decision made by the College was around the purchase of team clothing by all students regardless of the teams they play in. It had become practice over the years for some first sports teams to receive part or all of their kits subsidised by the College, while students in other sports teams and those in high achieving music, culture and academic teams were expected to pay for their own. The College Leadership Team made a fairness and equity decision that all students pay for their uniforms regardless of the team or area of the College they might represent.

Quality

There have been some concerns raised regarding the quality of items purchased through the new shop. If you have any problems in this area, please return the item/s to the store, and they will follow up as required by any retail clothing store.

Store Hours

The uniform shop is open for business at the following times:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 7:30 am – 10:00 am
• Wednesday – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Students are no longer able to go to the uniform shop during breaks as there is no teacher supervision provided in the area, and we are not able to maintain a duty of care for the boys. The new opening hours have been created to ensure that students can access the shop on the way to school or when leaving school on the respective days above. Uniform shop hours and contact details can be found on the College App through the Contacts tile.

Uniform Expectations

All boys, regardless of their year level are expected to come to school with their uniform ironed and their shirts tucked in and shoes polished.  This year we are particularly focusing on the following uniform items:

• Belts – these are to be slimline black with no large belt buckles.  This includes RM Williams buckles.
• Socks – please ensure your son is wearing socks that fit him properly.  This means that they reach just under the knee with a single fold.
• Boys representing the College in sport teams must have College socks.  As of next week: “no socks, no play”.  Boys are also to wear joggers to and from sport matches – slides and thongs are not part of our College uniform.
• Hats – all formal hats are to be navy in colour with no missing brim reinforcement.  Brims are to be straight.  A number of older boys are still wearing hats that they may have owned since Year 5. Please ensure your son is wearing the most recent hat you have bought him.

We have made it clear to the boys regarding the above expectations.  They are aware that these are to be adhered to both whilst at school and, perhaps even more importantly, whilst in the community.

How our boys represent themselves as a student body impacts strongly on the wider community.  We are so proud of the way our boys can interact with people of all kinds.  They can be strong and gentle when visiting those in need on many of our MATES visits. They can mix it with those in leadership in the wider community (from students to adults), advocating on their own behalf and on behalf of others.  They represent the College so admirably when competing against other schools, or when being the face of MCA to others.  This should be proudly mirrored by the way our boys present themselves, from their haircuts to their uniform.  There is nothing to be gained in presenting ourselves in a manner that communicates shame or embarrassment in wearing the Marist College Ashgrove uniform with pride.  We ask for your support in reinforcing this message with your sons at home.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions regarding the College uniforms.  We will be sending out a survey for feedback shortly regarding how we have travelled in this area.  Please keep a lookout for this in the coming fortnight.