School uniform enigma

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Networkn
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#3185622 23-Jan-2024 19:04

It does look like an obsession in some aspects. Relatively speaking I'm guessing the average NZ school is pretty flexible and lenient when it comes to uniform compliance. Aside from occasional outbreaks of silly argument about hair length and style and all that.

Heh, perhaps in some schools. I don't think it would be the majority. My sons school lines the kids up as part of their morning routine and checks them over and issues writs for failure to comply. It's ludicrous. They really need to get over themselves in my opinion, though as a school their students perform to a generally higher standard, but it comes at the price of a significant amount of rigidity.

networkn

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#3185623 23-Jan-2024 19:08

gzt: $14 a pair is on the high side assuming most people will need five pairs. I hope they are excellent quality and last several generations. $70 for five pairs compared to adequate quality maybe $20 from somewhere like The Warehouse. Factor in losing one or two before the year is over and it starts to look punishing.

I will admit they are high quality, though socks aren't something I'd ask kids to wear second hand, along with underwear, personally.

Annoyingly our son is required to purchase a jersey he only wears to formal events which happen twice or thrice a year. That thing is $150!! He seems immune to the cold, and wears shorts year round.

gzt

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#3185625 23-Jan-2024 19:11

networkn: Public schools should be banned from requiring logos or insignias that prevent uniforms being purchased from anywhere. A simple colour scheme should allow all kids to comply and be identifiable

I tend to agree and I think this works well with National's reducing the cost of living and a good opportunity to do something positive.

networkn

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#3185626 23-Jan-2024 19:13

gzt:
networkn: Public schools should be banned from requiring logos or insignias that prevent uniforms being purchased from anywhere. A simple colour scheme should allow all kids to comply and be identifiable

I tend to agree and I think this works well with National's reducing the cost of living and a good opportunity to do something positive.

I'd love to see them introduce this as a policy, but I can't see it happening sadly. I think I still might suggest it in writing to my local National MP though. Can't do any harm.

Wombat1

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#3185627 23-Jan-2024 19:14

It teaches kids that they need to follow the rules, keeps them focused on their schoolwork and not their clothes, similar rules will apply to the dress code when they enter the workforce one day.

My daughters school is very strict, no jewellery, hair needs to be tied back, she needs to wear a formal every day, and no cell phones during class. She complains about it a bit but its the right thing and us parents have no issues about her attire at school. I have similar rules in my workplace and even need to make sure tats are covered. I realise its very different here from NZ though.

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#3185628 23-Jan-2024 19:24

networkn: They really need to get over themselves in my opinion, though as a school their students perform to a generally higher standard, but it comes at the price of a significant amount of rigidity.

I'd be surprised if that outcome wasn't entirely just the demographic of the local area at work. Not necessarily income, but a range of factors.

Lias

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#3185686 23-Jan-2024 20:38

For some schools it's definitely a fundraiser, and that should be illegal. If a school wishes to have a uniform they should be required by law to allow generic items.

Example my sons college requires logo embroidered shirts, generic school shirts can be found for less than half their price.

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Rikkitic

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#3185693 23-Jan-2024 21:38

Wombat1:

It teaches kids that they need to follow the rules, keeps them focused on their schoolwork and not their clothes, similar rules will apply to the dress code when they enter the workforce one day.

I think it teaches kids to do what they are told rather than think for themselves, but that's just me.

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pih

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#3185704 23-Jan-2024 22:02

My blood boils when I think of the price of uniforms, and our kids' school isn't even one of the more expensive ones. Wife just spent >$200 updating the son's uniform for the new year: 2x shirts, 1x pants and 3x pairs of socks. The flimsy school jacket we bought last year (in the vicinity of $80) didn't last the year but we've managed to repair it.

It's not just the price going up, it's the quality going down, the insistence on making every item custom, and the strictness with which the uniform needs to be adhered to: like a previous commenter implied, a blue stripe on the socks is just customising for customisings' sake (and a stipulation of simply plain white socks at 1/4 the price is not going to make some kids feel left out that others have name-brand plain white socks).

Frankly, I don't care whether schools mandate uniforms or not. But if they do, it absolutely must be flexible enough and affordable enough to kit a student out for the year, and right now for too many schools it's just not.

boosacnoodle

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#3185724 23-Jan-2024 23:12

It's gross and probably illegal in many cases:

Schools need to be aware that when entering into arrangements for the supply of school uniforms or other school supplies, they are subject to the Commerce Act. Under the Commerce Act, it is illegal to enter an agreement that substantially lessens competition in a market.

Many schools have worked out that, while they can't force families to pay a donation, they can force families to purchase school uniforms ... from a single-source supplier ... at a heavily inflated price ... that supplier then gives a portion of the uniform purchase price back to the school as a rebate which they can then use for other things.

tl;dr it's legalised theft

gzt

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#3185725 23-Jan-2024 23:18

Lias: For some schools it's definitely a fundraiser, and that should be illegal.

Start of term and the school sends a list of stationary to buy. It is generic and I can get all the items at The Warehouse if I want to or anywhere. The school makes it super quick so I use their e-order supplier system and the school gets a kickback commission or whatever. I chose that supplier I don't mind that not a problem.

Uniforms so often there is no alternative and look at those prices..

Handle9

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#3185728 23-Jan-2024 23:39

networkn:

robjg63:

The problems seems to come from insisting on Shoes, Blazers, Jackets, Jerseys etc, all with embroidered logos and colour themed clothes etc.

Totally this. Public schools should be banned from requiring logos or insignias that prevent uniforms being purchased from anywhere. A simple colour scheme should allow all kids to comply and be identifiable

My old high school has a generic uniform outside the school jersey and PE uniform. Navy shirt, navy shorts, black long socks and black shoes.

Given it's one of the most prestigious schools in the country it suggests that it's possible to have a school with a uniform that isn't branded up the wazoo.

pih

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#3185740 24-Jan-2024 06:54

boosacnoodle:
It's gross and probably illegal in many cases:

Schools need to be aware that when entering into arrangements for the supply of school uniforms or other school supplies, they are subject to the Commerce Act. Under the Commerce Act, it is illegal to enter an agreement that substantially lessens competition in a market.

Many schools have worked out that, while they can't force families to pay a donation, they can force families to purchase school uniforms ... from a single-source supplier ... at a heavily inflated price ... that supplier then gives a portion of the uniform purchase price back to the school as a rebate which they can then use for other things.

tl;dr it's legalised theft

Fascinating read, and I think you've nailed it. Except I wouldn't call it "legalised theft", I'd call it "illegal supplier negotiation".

Earbanean

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#3185773 24-Jan-2024 09:28

Rikkitic:

Wombat1:

It teaches kids that they need to follow the rules, keeps them focused on their schoolwork and not their clothes, similar rules will apply to the dress code when they enter the workforce one day.

I think it teaches kids to do what they are told rather than think for themselves, but that's just me.

But kids do need to do what they're told in so many things. e.g. I don't want my kids (or anyone else's) thinking for themselves that they can drive with a high blood alcohol level. Obviously not wearing a uniform isn't life threatening, like drink driving, but the principle is the same. We need to learn to follow a good number of rules to be a responsible member of society.

I'm not sure if you've had kids, but just letting them think for themselves on everything would be a disaster. You'd end up with self-entitled little shites. Learning to follow some rules is part of raising kids and growing into a responsible adult.

networkn

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#3185775 24-Jan-2024 09:29

Rikkitic:

I think it teaches kids to do what they are told rather than think for themselves, but that's just me.

There is value in both IMO.

I think that it's a reach to suggest that it's harmful to wear uniforms.

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