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Out with hoodies and sandals, in with blazers and ties. Whangaparāoa College’s move to a more formal uniform continues to upset some in the community, but the principal says the changes came after a consultation process and maintains that they will reinforce “a sense of belonging and equality”.
In addition to a survey, Principal Steve McCracken says the college carried out “learner focus groups, with learners trying on a variety of uniform options from other schools”.
“On completion of the survey, and in response to the results and feedback from the learner focus groups, a design process was undertaken.”
“You gave feedback, and we listened,” the school said in an update last month.
Information released by the school showed levels of support for the various options, including blazers (for the whole school, or seniors) – 51.1 per cent • hoodie – 64 per cent • trousers – 62 per cent • knee-length skirt – 53.8 per cent • long skirt – 14.1 per cent • gender-neutral uniform option – 20.6 per cent
The school did not include in the information the level of support (or lack thereof) for the wearing of ties, but parents say it fell below one per cent.
A total of 1384 people responded to the survey. Of them, 685 were students, 644 were family members and 58 were members of staff.
McCracken said the school board supported the refresh and staff had been very positive, as the changes align with the school’s desire to raise expectations and standards.
Critics have pointed, among other things, to the cost – $180 for a blazer, $85 for a skirt, $75 for a shirt.
“It’s going from casual to the other extreme,” a parent who asked not to be named told the paper. “For me, the reason is optics – to look good. But we’re a beach community, we’re not the inner city.”
For a school already grappling with behavioural issues, the policy could backfire, he said. Those students who generally follow the rules “will now start getting into trouble, because they don’t agree with buttoning up [shirts] all the way to their necks”.
The new uniform is being introduced from February 2025, compulsory for years 7 and 11, although any student can begin to wear it at any time during the implementation phase.
The full implementation phase is:
2025: New uniform compulsory for years 7 and 11 as well as for prefects.
2026: Year 7-12 students are required to wear the new uniform, although year 13s may continue to wear the old uniform if they wish.
2027: New uniform compulsory for all students
As for the hoodie, in 2025 year 7s and prefects will no longer be allowed to wear them, and this will apply to all students except year 13 from 2026, when they may only be worn for extra-curricular school activities and outside school hours
McCracken said the purpose of the new uniform was to “raise the standards of our school and ensure our learners are proud of themselves and our school”.
“In response to direct community feedback, we have extended the new uniform implementation phase and this is one way we will ensure the cost is more manageable.”
