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If you need help understanding the information in this policy, please contact the school Policy Leader on 9112 9500 or via email info@footscray.vic.edu.au
Our school is an inclusive community built upon our pillars of Unity, Respect, Creativity and Endeavour. We aim to empower young people to focus on learning and prepare them for future pathways whilst identifying as Footscray High School students.
Students are expected to comply with this Student Dress Code while travelling to and from school, during school hours and when attending school activities.
The development of our revised Footscray High School uniform policy has been a consultative process involving students, parents, staff and the wider community. This policy has been written in accordance with Department of Education and Training (DET) guidelines. The acceptance, respect and equality of all students is an inherent feature of this policy. We embrace diversity and individuality through a range of choices offered in items and application.
Our belief is that through co-design and co-development we can approach the implementation of this policy positively and have the support of all staff, students and their parents/carers.
The Footscray High School uniform has been designed and ethically sourced to reflect the contemporary nature and values of our school. The uniform has been designed by students and offers a range of options to ensure comfort in all conditions, inclusivity, choice, durability and value for money. The application of this policy also takes into account feedback from all key stakeholders.
The uniform plays an important role in creating a sense of identity amongst students and the community.
Footscray High School is a full uniform school with all students expected to uphold the school pillar of Unity in their wearing of the correct school uniform at all times, the uniform must be in good order. All students attending Footscray High School are expected to wear the uniform as prescribed in this policy. All Footscray High School uniform items, with the exception of shoes and dark grey/charcoal pants , must be purchased from Noone, the official uniform supplier for the school.
Matters relating to uniform purchase, financial hardship, cultural or religious needs, can be raised with the school leadership team at the campus level. Parents can do this by contacting the school and they will be directed to the correct support.
The uniform has been co-developed and approved by the Footscray High School Council and the Student Leadership Action Team (SLAT). Responsibility for the uniform will go to the official School Council. It is expected that all students and families support and abide by this policy. The uniform supplier will have a copy of this policy and will support its correct implementation at the time of fitting and purchase.
All items should be worn as approved by the Footscray High School Council as outlined in this policy. The only uniform to be worn is the Footscray High School uniform. Items should be layered appropriately, for example, the puffer vest and softshell jacket must be worn with another uniform item underneath. The jumper and cardigan must be worn over a shirt or dress. The school dress, skirt and shorts have been designed at the appropriate length. All items of the uniform are to be clearly labelled with the student’s name (particularly those items that are regularly removed at school). Only plain, non-branded undergarments in black, dark grey/charcoal, or white are permitted to be worn under the uniform. Any type of hoodie is not permitted to be worn at any times.
Black leggings or compression shorts are only permitted if worn under pants, dresses or skirts. Only plain, non-branded undergarments in black, dark grey/charcoal, or white are permitted to be worn under the Footscray High School top.
The uniform has been designed to have a core base with a ‘wardrobe’ of additional items that students can choose to purchase and wear depending on the weather, comfortability etc. with no specified summer or winter items. Students are able to choose the items that best suit their needs on any given day and worn according to the policy. Hoodies of any type or colour are not permitted to be worn at any time including during the colder months.
The uniform consists of a bucket hat, a cap, a beanie and are available to be worn by students for PE and outdoor activities as part of the Sun-Smart strategy. Students choosing to wear the cap would be strongly recommended to apply sunscreen prior to outdoor activities. Only the school hats can be worn when in full school uniform including travelling to and from school but must not be worn in class.
Students are to wear all black leather school shoes with a defined low heel (no boots) and can also wear a soft all black leather non branded black sole shoe. The closed toe school shoe shown below complies with the Footscray High School safety requirements to access all learning spaces within the school. Students wearing T-Bar shoes are to change into their runners (closed toe) during practical Tech classes where tools and woodworking equipment are sometimes used. See images below for examples of appropriate shoes.
The Footscray High School school bag should be purchased.
It is expected that students will be travelling to and from school in school uniform. At these times the uniform must be worn as per the policy and no ‘non-uniform’ items added.
The school blazer and tie are not compulsory. They may be worn at any time but only in the manner described and with a short or long sleeve shirt or school dress.
The PE uniform is compulsory and consists of a crew neck tee shirt, Footscray High School rugby top and shorts. Additional optional items include track pants, sport leggings (only to be worn under track pants or sport shorts), rugby top and softshell jacket. This uniform is to be worn on days students have PE lessons, sport, inter-school sporting events and other occasions as designated appropriate by the school. Sports shoes and socks are not prescribed, but shoes must have non-marking soles. Additional Footscray High School specialist sport uniforms required for some sports will be supplied by the school. The Footscray High School academic uniform must be worn at all other times and should not be mixed with any sport uniform items with the exception of the rugby top that can be worn with the academic uniform.
In order to ensure the safety of all students, only small, unobtrusive items of jewellery should be worn, such as small sleepers and studs, earrings, and watches, which are the only acceptable jewellery. Students will be respectfully addressed individually when hair or jewellery is considered inappropriate for school or safety risks.
We expect students to take responsibility for being sun smart by wearing a school hat during outdoor activities or staying in the shade if they are not wearing sunscreen. We encourage students to wear hats from mid-August to the end of April.
Hats, caps and beanies 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.
While at school, travelling to or from school or participating in school activities, Footscray High School students must comply with the following:
Uniform items can be purchased directly from Noone, our official uniform supplier.
Footscray High School beanies are available to purchase from the general office of each campus.
Please contact the Campus Principal or the Wellbeing Coordinator to discuss the 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: htps://www.ssr.net.au/.
Footscray High School also has uniforms available for families to borrow on request.
Footscray High School will ensure that this Student Dress Code is communicated to all families and students through our website and school assemblies. We will assist students who may be experiencing difficulties complying with this policy where possible.
Students wearing non-compliant uniform items may be asked to change into a compliant item of clothing provided by the school, and parents/carers will be informed.
If a student is out of school uniform or otherwise breaches the Student Dress Code on a recurring basis, the classroom teacher will provide a note to the student and parents. 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 Footscray High 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.
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 Campus Principal for an exemption to this Student Dress Code if:
When the Principal receives a request for an exemption, they will:
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.
Footscray High 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 Complaint Policy.
This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:
● School Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
● Complaints Policy
● Department of Education and Training Student Dress Code
● Department of Education and Training Student Engagement policies and guidelines
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