Dress Code Policy
AIMS OF POLICY
To ensure that all children can access the whole curriculum fully in a safe and equal manner.
To ensure clarity regarding what is appropriate clothing, footwear, make-up and jewellery for school
To promote a sense of pride and to build self esteem
To ensure a neat, well-groomed appearance
To maintain and enhance a positive image of the school
To promote equality amongst all pupils
To ensure that students are safely dressed for school activities and the environment.
RATIONALE
St. Matthew’s N.S. does not have a uniform for day-to-day school wear. The ethos of the school encourages us to respect the individuality of all members of our school community. Clothing, footwear, make-up and jewellery are often seen as the outward expressions of our individual selves. While respecting the rights of the individual, the school must also be aware of many other issues, such as health and safety, full access to the whole curriculum and complete interaction between the various partners in education. The school must also be aware that certain items of clothing, footwear, jewellery and make-up may be either provocative or offensive to some members of the community or may be inappropriate for the age and development of the individual involved.
GUIDELINES
We request that all parents and guardians ensure that the clothing worn to school by their children complies with the following guidelines:
Clothing should be appropriate to an environment shared by children of primary school age. For example, cropped/belly/bikini tops, off the shoulder tops, halter necks or spaghetti straps are not suitable school wear.
Shorts/dresses/skirts must be of suitable length (at least mid way to the knee).
Children should wear clothing that fits comfortably, neither too big or too tight.
Hoods and hats should not be worn in the classroom. Caps should not be brought to school.
Clothing worn to school should always allow pupils to play actively and safely in the yard. Physical exertion at break times is an integral part of the school day and a student’s mode of dress should not inhibit them from fully participating in normal childhood games; items such as very wide/very long trousers and shoes/boots with elevated heels should not be worn. Flip-flops are particularly unsafe and should not be worn. Heeleys are never allowed in school. Shoe laces must be securely tied at all times. This is a health and safety matter.
Make up and false tan and nails are not to be worn to school.
Children with hair longer than shoulder length must have their hair tied back with a suitable hair accessory. This is for the health and safety of children during class lessons and during PE. It is also a measure put in place to prevent the spread of head lice in the school.
Hair dye is not tolerated.
The wearing of slogans which could cause offence to other members of the school community, must be avoided.
Children must wear appropriate footwear and sportswear on a day when they have timetabled PE sessions.
The wearing of jewellery of discouraged. Earrings, if worn, must be kept small.
All children should come to school suitably dressed for the prevailing weather conditions.
It is strongly recommended that all items, especially coats, hats, gloves and scarves etc are marked with the student’s name. Displaced clothes will be placed in ‘lost property’ and will be sent to an appropriate charity if unclaimed at the end of each term.