2024 Uniform Expectations and FREE Uniform Vouchers information

31/01/2024

Dear parents, carers and students,

This letter explains:

• PART 1: Why students must wear correct uniform in 2024

• PART 2: The rules for uniform in 2024 + FAQs
• PART 3: The ways that students can access FREE school shoes and up to 3
x $85 Uniform Vouchers to assist with uniform

Key information:

• What is our uniform?

Our uniform is explained here, in our Uniform Brochure.

• How do I purchase uniform?

Uniform can be purchased online, https://buxwear.com.au/collections/melton-
secondary-college or by visiting the Buxwear store at 39 Bakery Square,
Melton.

• To order an $85 uniform voucher, or free school shoes, please complete the
form by clicking on the link below:-

https://forms.office.com/r/gsE4f5GrcL

Thank you for your support of in helping our students be in the correct uniform in 2024.
This represents responsibility, pride in community and excellence. Having these
conversations often feels hard for staff, students, families and myself, but I am always
grateful for the support of families in these expectations. I hope that they help support
your own expectations for your students at home as well. I wish you all the best for the
start to 2024.

Kind regards,

Kath Sobey
Principal
PART 1: Why 100% correct uniform is an expectation in 2024:

Students have consistently told me that when everyone is wearing uniform correctly,
they feel safe because wearing uniform is an outward sign that “I follow the rules here”
and “I belong here”.

Parents have consistently told me that when the uniform is not enforced, they feel
unsupported. Arguments at home about socks, shoes and jumpers feel pointless if
students are not held to the same expectations at school.

In the 2024 School year, there has been an increased focus on uniform. All students
were spoken to about this by me directly at the end of 2023. Our uniform policy has not
changed, but it is something that we will be talking about more.

Our Year 10 students are now wearing blazers. The blazer represents the right of our
young people to be associated with excellence, pride in community and
responsibility. The blazer is helping us create this perception for our kids in the
community.

Please note that any student is welcome to wear the school blazer. Blazers are
being sold at the uniform shop and have been discounted by 10% in store until the end
of Term 1.

The rules about wearing uniform in 2024:

Being in full uniform is part of being ready to learn. If students are not ready to
learn, they may be sent home to collect the items they need, asked to wear a
replacement item for the day, or be provided with a separate space to complete
their work until the issue is rectified.

Below I have shared some key messages for you to help the conversations at
home.

Key messages about uniform to support parents:

1. Students are responsible for their uniform. Not their parents. By secondary
school, students can use a washing machine, plan ahead, and communicate
when they need help with something that is broken, lost or too small.
2. Correct school shoes are required. They need to be lace-up or T-bar leather
shoes with a heel. Black sports shoes of any kind are not school shoes. (Sports
shoes don’t have a heel). Air Jordan’s are not, (and have never been), part of our
uniform.
 3. PE uniform can only be worn on PE practice days. This is when the class is
scheduled to take place in the REC, or other active space.
4. PE uniform cannot be mixed with academic uniform.
5. Blazers are provided at no cost to Year 9 students at their Coming of Age
ceremony. Blazers are required for all Year 10 students in 2024, 10-11
students in 2025 and 10-12 students in 2026. Students of these cohorts are
expected to wear their blazer to and from school and have it with them
during all classes before recess.
6. Any student of any year level may choose to purchase and wear a blazer.
7. Mishaps happen! Every student will have times where they have forgotten
something or something has gone wrong with their uniform. Students are
responsible for bringing a note from home stating what the problem is, and how
and when it’s going to be fixed. We can support students to fix uniform on the odd
day, but extended periods where students arrive out of uniform are not
acceptable.
8. Staff are required to confiscate non-uniform items. Non-uniform items are
delivered to the office and students can collect these after school.
9. If a student cannot remove a non-uniform item (such as incorrect shoes or
pants) they may be provided with replacement items to wear for the day, or
sent home to change into the correct items, or be provided with a separate
space to complete their work until the issue is rectified.
10. School staff are here to help. If assistance is needed with getting a piece of
uniform, please reach out. See the link below for more
info. https://forms.office.com/r/gsE4f5GrcL

Trouble shooting:
Q: "I didn't realise this was the rule and now I've bought the wrong thing -help!
What should I do?"
A: It's ok! Uniform is an area of re-focus for the College, so lots of families are re-
acquainting themselves with the uniform policy. Incorrect shoes cannot be worn to
school. Please write a note for your student to show their teacher for tomorrow, and
arrange the correct uniform for them asap.
State Schools Relief also provides free school shoes and $85 vouchers for families
struggling to pay for the cost of school shoes. Please speak to your child's teacher or
yellow link below for details.

Please also note that I spoke to every cohort at assemblies at the end of the year last
year. I explained the uniform policy and that it would probably feel “stricter” when they
returned in 2024. Whilst it’s understandable that busy parents may have missed an
email from me, our students heard the message and are aware of what is expected from
them.

Q: My child has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing an approved
school uniform item. What is the process for managing this?
A: Like any other exemption, please provide appropriate information from a medical
professional, such as a doctor's letter, explaining that there is a medical condition
impacting the wearing of a particular item. The letter should also state what are
appropriate alternatives that could be considered. Forward this information to your
child's Head of Year and they will liaise with me to have a written exemption provided to
your child, where an alternative item will be approved.

PART 3: The ways that students can access FREE school shoes and up to 3 x $85
Uniform Vouchers to assist with uniform:

State Schools Relief is available to support your student with the correct uniform
in two ways:
1. Provide free school shoes
2. Provide 3 x $85 vouchers per student that can be used toward any uniform item
available for purchase at the uniform shop, located at 39 Bakery Square, Melton.

To order an $85 uniform voucher, or free school shoes, please complete the form by
clicking on the link below:-

https://forms.office.com/r/gsE4f5GrcL

An SMS will be sent to your mobile number once the voucher has been approved.

If you have requested school shoes as part of your application, they will be delivered
directly to the school.

If you have any further queries or concerns, or require additional support, please do not
hesitate to reach out to the Wellbeing Team by calling 9743 3322.