School Uniform Part 3

So just when you think things are good with the uniform process. WHAM!! some parent calls the local paper (ODT) and tells them of our plans to adopt gang colours for a school uniform. The reporter turns up at the school to interview the Chairman of the BOT and then a photo of the children and before you know it, you're reading the article in the newspaper the next morning. As a member of the uniform committee I can assure you we were all feeling a little nervous about how the article would read. Here is the article

A Dunedin primary school will continue with its plans to introduce a red and black uniform for pupils, despite objections from one parent, who says it looks like a Mongrel Mob gang uniform. Mornington School Board of Trustees chairman Scott Mason said a proposed uniform with a red polo shirt and polar fleece, and black pants/skirt was presented to parents recently at a consultation meeting. The idea of a uniform was instigated by parents because they wanted to create collegiality or school spirit and it also took much anxiety out of clothing choice for many pupils, Mr Mason said. However, one parent at the meeting expressed concern about the colours of the proposed uniform and said they looked similar to those of Mongrel Mob gang members. Mr Mason dismissed the criticism, saying there were other schools around the country with red and black uniforms, including Fairfield School in Dunedin. "I think you could find a reason for any colour not being appropriate. I don't have any concern about my daughter wearing red and black. "If kids started coming to school wearing bandannas, then I would be concerned. I don't think any gang would think they have achieved a major milestone if a school was wearing red tops and black shorts. "Given that other schools have the same colours here and at other places around the country, this is no precedent." Mr Mason said the school's traditional colours were red and yellow, but red and black were chosen because "yellow is not a particularly good base colour for any uniform". "Black was also chosen because it won't show up the dirt as much." Mr Mason said there were more valid concerns raised at the parent consultation meeting, such as the cost of uniforms for parents and the issue of pupils losing their "individuality" by all wearing the same clothes. The proposed uniform was going through a board approval process and Mr Mason hoped pupils would start wearing it optionally later this year. It could then be adopted next year as the school's official uniform.

PHEW!!! I feel the article read more in our favour and I can honestly say there was a relieved uniform committee indeed. I couldn't download the photo due to protection rights etc. Nicholas was most disappointed he didn't get to be in the photo as he was one of the models but because the school couldn't contact me to get my permission Nicholas missed out. However, Nicholas always has great ideas " I know mum maybe I could get my photo taken now and they will put it in the newspaper tomorrow, great idea aye mum"

I discovered that people read newspaper articles and then if they have a stronge opinion they can log on the newspaper website and post a comment. Here is one opinion from someone:

The concerns about gang colours are groundless and unfounded. Gangs do not wear their colours in the same manner as schools wear a uniform - anyone seen a gang member with a red polo shirt and black shorts or tartan skirt on lately? If we are concerned about a small Dunedin school having a uniform based on gang colours then what about the other schools countrywide that also have school colours that reflect local, national and international gangs?What is being forgotten here is the desire of the majority of parents, as expressed in a school and community survey, to have a uniform investigated and implemented. This is being ignored. For many parents a uniform makes practical and economic sense, it means that parents do not have to worry about buying the right clothes or have issues over what to wear before school each morning. For the school it promotes pride, a sense of community and belonging and stamps out peer pressure and bullying over the wearing of the latest label.There will always be people who believe that uniforms stamp out individuality etc... Find another way for your child to shine, why does it have to be through the clothes that they wear? Encourage your children to shine through the force of their personality. The kids at those schools with uniforms around the place, primary, intermediate and secondary certainly aren't lacking in personality or individuality as far as I can tell!

So there you have it the uniform debate maybe at peace for our school for now, or is it??? Stay tune for the implementing phase. I'm sure it will be interesting.......

School Uniform Part 2

Friday came and the votes were counted 81 yes's and 40 no's. We needed 60% to pass, which we achieved 67% a little close for comfort. However we'll take the 67% and start the next phase of implementing the uniform into the school. All student can start wearing the uniform at the begining of term 3 and by January 2010 it will be compulsary to wear the uniform (except year 6 who have the option last year at the school). Some parents had an issue with the colour so we added another option for the girls a tartan skirt or cullottes. Others had issue with just having the short sleeve T-shirt so we have added long sleeved Ts. One thing I have learn't, its hard to keep everyone happy. I am so thrilled that the proposal was accepted and that I played a part in this process.

The School Uniform

When I searched for a school for Nicholas one of my "must have" was a school uniform. When looking at Mornington School it had everything I wanted except the uniform. The Principal informed me that it wasn't far from being implemented. So we decided to send Nicholas to Mornington. At the beginning of the year the school uniform issue came up and a chance to be on the committee arose. I volunteered my services and along with 5 other mums we came up with the new school uniform. The school colours are red, yellow and black, knowing that yellow doesn't suit many people we stayed away from that colour and stuck with red and black. So for the girls we decided on the red t-shirt and black skort, shorts, skirt or culottes black tights or white socks with black shoes. The boys red t-shirt and black shorts or track pants, black socks and shoes. They would all wear a red polar fleece with contrast black collar and the school logo would be embroided on the front. We got some samples and dressed up some of the children (nicholas was one). They looked absolutely stunning.

We had the opportunity to present the uniform to the BOT and teachers they loved it and so our next presentation would be to the parents. What an experience it was, most of the parents seemed okay with it but one parent raised the question that the colours could be linked to the Mongrel Mob all of us on the committee looked at each other (was not expecting that). Once that was mentioned I could see many parent nodding there heads. What could you say to that comment we didn't have an answer. What was ironic was the parent who made the comment was dressed in red and black. As the evening progressed we still didn't have a solution for her comment. The parents get to vote and voting closes on Friday 5th June. The thing I sought might have been a problem was cost but no-one thus far has even mention it. We took the children dressed in the uniform around to show all the children at school and the general feeling was good. One student asked when can we start wearing it???

We are presenting the uniform again today for those parents who missed out the other night. I have since heard that a family will be pulling their children out of the school if the uniform goes ahead and talking to another parent she felt the colour was to angry, other comments was what about childrens individuality. Its been an very interesting journey one I hope will be in favour of uniform.

Afghans

My husband loves Afghans so I have started making them on a regular basis. My biggest issue with these biscuits is it uses so much butter and you hardly get many biscuits. I have made a few batches now and still I haven't seemed to have mastered the right technique. The recipe from the Edmonds book says it will make 30 but I was lucky to get 20 and then Dave said they were too small. So I had another go and made them bigger and even less biscuits (still too small for Dave) So I doubled the mixture that's 400gm of butter and made them bigger and this time I manage to get 30 biscuits. Oh well practise makes perfect I'll just have to keep on with different techniques lucky Dave like them so much