Bacchus Marsh Primary School

Dress Code & Appearance Policy (Students) Policy Effective as of February 2023

School councils must develop and review their student dress code in accordance with the Department’s Student Dress Code policy guidance on the School Policy and Advisory Guide, available at the following link:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/management/pages/dresscode.aspx

This will include ensuring your student dress code meets human rights and anti-discrimination requirements, includes exemption processes and addresses health and safety considerations. School councils will also need to ensure they have properly consulted with the school community in developing/reviewing this student dress code. Guidance on consultation processes is available on the School Policy and Advisory Page here:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/management/Pages/developing.aspx

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Student Dress Code is to outline Bacchus Marsh Primary School’s requirements for student dress and appearance and to provide information about uniform purchase and support, dress code implementation and exemption processes.
This dress code has been developed by Bacchus Marsh Primary School’s School Council in close consultation with our school community to ensure that it respects the rights of individual students whilst reflecting the values and interests of our community.

  • The Student Dress Code aims to:
    foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance
  • support Bacchus Marsh Primary School’s commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities.
  • reduce student competition on the basis of clothing
  • enhance the profile and identity of the school and its students within the wider community.

The School Council has developed a dress code that we believe provides a range of choices for students
and is cost effective for families

SCOPE:

Students are expected to comply with this Student Dress Code while traveling to and from school, during school hours and when attending school activities.

UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE:

Uniform items and appearance requirements should meet human rights and anti-discrimination requirements as well as health and safety considerations.

Dress codes with gender specific requirements are not necessarily discriminatory under the law, unless one gender is treated less favourably than the other because of the dress code. However, Department policy requires schools and school councils to develop, as far as practicable, dress code requirements that are similar for both sexes. Where options are available, they should be available to all students. In particular, all schools must allow girls the option of pants and shorts in their dress code.

Schools and school councils should also consider whether or not cultural or religious headwear can be included as part of the ordinary school uniform, to avoid the need for students having to apply for an exemption in order to wear these items. For an example of the inclusion of headwear in the list of uniform items, see Appendix A.

The full list of Bacchus Marsh Primary School’s compulsory school uniform items are available at Appendix A to this policy.

General appearance
While at school, travelling to or from school or participating in school activities, Bacchus Marsh Primary School students must comply with the following:

  • uniforms must be clean and in good repair
  • uniforms must be clearly marked with the owner’s name
  • additional layers of clothing may be worn underneath the uniform for added warmth, provided these undergarments are completely hidden.

Jewellery and cosmetics
Students are not permitted to wear decorative jewellery to school. Stud earrings and sleepers worn in the ears, and watches, are the only acceptable jewellery.

Cosmetics may not be worn at school. Only clear nail polish is permitted.

Hair and Sun safety
Shoulder length or longer hair is to be tied back to help restrict the spread of nits and lice and for student safety. Girls’ hair can be tied back with ribbons or scrunchies in school colours.

School uniform hats must be worn outside from the commencement of Term 4 through to the end of Term 1 in the subsequent year and on any other day prescribed by the school. School uniform hats may also be worn outside of this time period, by parent or student choice.

Hats are not to be worn inside.

Students are permitted to wear sunglasses during outdoor activities. Sunglasses should be close-fitting, wrap-around that meet the Australian Standards 1067 and cover as much of the eye area as possible.

PURCHASE OF UNIFORMS:

Uniform items can be purchased from Bacchus Marsh Print and Copy, Main St, Bacchus Marsh.

Support for families experiencing difficulty

Please contact the Principal or Assistant Principals to discuss support that we may be able to provide to families experiencing difficulty meeting uniform costs, including information about eligibility for uniform support through State Schools’ Relief. Further information about State Schools’ Relief is also available on their website: https://www.ssr.net.au/

Bacchus Marsh Primary School also has uniforms available to families to borrow on request.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Bacchus Marsh Primary School will ensure that this Student Dress Code is communicated to all families and students through our website, newsletter and weekly updates. We will assist students who may be experiencing difficulties complying with this policy where possible.

If a student is out of school uniform or otherwise breaches the Student Dress Code on a recurring basis, a note will be provided to the student and parents by the classroom teacher. If non-compliance with the dress code becomes a continued occurrence, the Principal will be informed and a phone call home may be required. In this event, the school will continue to work with the student and family to support compliance.

Measures taken by Bacchus Marsh Primary School to address concerns about student non-compliance with the Student Dress Code will also be addressed in accordance with our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy.

EXEMPTIONS TO STUDENT DRESS CODE:

We recognise that there may be situations where the application of this dress code may affect students’
unequally.
Students and their parents or carers may apply either in writing or in person to the Principal for an
exemption to this Student Dress Code if:

  • an aspect of this code prevents the student from complying with a requirement of their religious, ethnic or cultural beliefs or background
  • the student has a particular disability or health condition that requires a departure from the dress code
  • the student or their parents/carers can demonstrate particular economic hardship that prevents them from complying with the dress code.

When the Principal receives a request for an exemption, they will:

  • consider the grounds for the exemption request
  • explain the process to the student and/or their parents/carers
  • encourage the student and/or their parents/carers to support their application with evidence.

The Principal or delegate will then try to negotiate a resolution that is acceptable to all parties. If an exemption is not allowed, then written reasons will be provided to the student and/or their parents or carers.

 

CONCERNS ABOUT THIS STUDENT DRESS CODE:

Bacchus Marsh Primary School welcomes feedback from the school community in relation to this Student Dress Code. If you have a concern or complaint about the Student Dress Code, further information about raising a concern or complaint is available in our school’s Parent Complaint Policy, available on the school website.

COMMUNICATION:

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

  • Available publicly on our school’s website
  • Reminders in our school newsletter
  • Discussed in student forums
  • Included in staff handbook/manual
  • Discussed at staff briefings/meetings as required
  • Included in transition and enrolment packs
  • Discussed at parent information nights/sessions
  • Hard copy available from school administration upon request

FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:

  • Bacchus Marsh Primary School Sunsmart Policy
  • Bacchus Marsh Primary School Parent Complaint Policy
  • Bacchus Marsh Primary School Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
  • Department of Education and Training Student Dress Code
  • Department of Education and Training Student Engagement policies and guidelines.

POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL:

Policy last reviewed February 2023

Consultation Student Voice Leaders  February 2023, Parent community via school newsletter update February 2023, School Council February 2023

Approved by School Council – intended for March 21 2023

Next scheduled review date March 2026