Revamped uniform policy gives girls more choice

Published Sunday, 15 July, 2018 at 11:15 AM

Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Grace Grace

Education Minister Grace Grace has announced all Queensland state schools must offer more uniform choices for girls, including shorts and pants, from 2019.

Ms Grace today released the Department of Education’s updated Student Dress Code procedure, following an extensive review and consultation with stakeholders.

“We know around 60 per cent of state schools are already offering these uniform options for girls, but we found that some schools had not updated their student dress codes in many years,” Ms Grace said.

“All Queensland girls should be able to engage in active play and classroom activities or ride their bikes to and from school without being restricted by what they’re wearing.

“At the beginning of the year, I heard loud and clear from students, parents and carers that it was time for a change to reflect community expectations.

“I asked the Department to update the uniform policy to ensure we have 100 per cent of state schools offering the full range of options, including pants and shorts for girls.”

Ms Grace said state schools, together with their parent community, would now review their current dress code ahead of the 2019 school year.

“I’m happy to leave it to schools to decide what design, colour or style of uniforms should be introduced in consultation with their communities, including P&Cs,” she said.

“I’m sure all schools will come up with new uniform options that best meet the needs of their students.”

Executive Principal of Stretton State College Jan Maresca has already introduced changes to the school’s uniform policy to include greater choice for girls.

“Following consultation with our whole school community, we found that around half of our primary school girls did not want to wear a skirt to school,” Ms Maresca said.

“We listened to our girls and made changes so they can be comfortable in their uniforms.

“Come into our school now and you’ll see girls kicking a football, playing handball, lying under tree reading a book and hanging from monkey bars unrestricted.

“The changes to our dress code have been fully supported by our school community and the girls themselves were heavily involved in the process.”

Key stakeholders were involved in the statewide policy review, including P&Cs Qld, principals associations, Girls’ Uniform Agenda and the Queensland Teachers’ Union, and fully support the change.

The revised Student dress code procedure is available on the Department of Education’s online Policy and Procedure Register.

Photos of Stretton State College students can be found here

Media contact: Emma Clarey – 0439 578 472