The Illawarra community is divided over a decision by Kanahooka High School staff to pull students from classes this week for wearing inappropriate pants.
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Many parents claim students missed hours of learning on Monday morning, before an official letter was sent home warning anything other than "dress style pants" would not be tolerated.
Hundreds have since voiced their outrage to the Illawarra Mercury and across Facebook over the uniform "blitz".
"I think they need to focus more on the educational (sic) and not uniforms," said Michelle Haigh.
"I don't think us parents are upset about our child/children are being made wear uniform. It's more to do with the way it was handled and not allowing kids to attend two hours of lessons or being sent home," Donna George Vincent Siddle said.
"Reading these posts makes me think of two things that unfortunately are lacking in some students and their parents PRIDE & RESPECT," wrote Julie Wicken.
"They maybe are being a bit extreme but I see these kids walking past my house to and from school and seriously, half of them look like they didn't even bother to change out of their pyjamas," Rachael Wilson Joyce said.
The NSW Teachers Federation on Wednesday released a statement in support of principal Chris Toohey and staff, in their efforts "to uphold high standards".
"It is unfortunate that Kanahooka High School's actions to support students in presenting themselves and their school in a respectable and positive manner in the community has attracted criticism and adverse publicity."
The NSW Parents and Citizens Federation did not have the same view, and said they were trying to contact the school to determine the course of consultation taken ahead of the crackdown. "Certainly you don't want parents to be surprised, or kids to be surprised or disadvantaged by things," president Jason Vials said.
According to the latest Kanahooka High School newsletter on their website, pants of any kind were not being sold at the school uniform shop.
This isn’t the school’s fault. If the school has a uniform policy then students must abide by it. The school shouldn’t need to give weeks of warnings as students should just wear the uniform from day one.
Berg
The school doesn’t have a leg to stand on. They can’t punish a student for wearing an incorrect uniform as much as they act like they can. It’s a public school, the main focus should be education, not forcing students to wear the ‘‘proper’’ clothes.
Exe
Put it in perspective. I think it’s not an issue if the staff wish to enforce consistency across the school uniform policy. The kids could have a lot worse than a bit of discipline in this area.
It’s ok
One of the things your child learns at school is to respect the rules, even if they don’t like it. This prepares you for life after school. Maybe their parents missed that lesson at school; this time, lesson learnt.
cedron
What does it matter what they wear to school? They are there for an education, not to follow some stupid dress code.
Louise Thompson
It’s not that hard. Wear proper, full school uniform. When I was at school many years ago, we were marched into the principal’s office to remove nail polish that was any darker than ‘‘clear’’ and earrings that weren’t small studs or sleepers.
Janie
I’m all for a uniform, however for some people on budgets it’s about keeping your kids warm. I know what I would choose. I’m sure the major outrage is really that the children were sent home.
Leesa Borg
Congratulations ... there is intelligent life [out] there and they’re trying to teach your kids respect.
Serena Pratt-Richardson