Uniform Committee Notice

April 8, 2013

Last year the Board of Trustees (BOT) invited the community, via a notice home to all students, to participate in a school uniform subcommittee whose role was to invite feedback from the wider community on the topic and involve the community in making an informed decision about a school uniform at Woodstock School.

The Uniform Subcommittee consultation communication and dates are outlined for your reference below:

Woodstock School Uniform Consultation Process To Date

Date	Communication Home
21/09/12	BOT invite community to participate in uniform subcommittee via letter
24/10/12	Uniform subcommittee has first meeting
06/12/12 *04/02/13 *Revised flyer sent Home	Uniform pros/cons notice sent home and posters erected at school in Principals Newsletter & school blog
11/02/13	Flyer distributed to years 5-6 informing a survey sent home to years 0-4 parents only.  Any feedback from years 5-6 parents welcome woodstockuniform@gmail.com
11/02/13	A uniform survey distributed to years 0-4 students only.
19/02/13	Uniform survey results are analysed and the uniform subcommittee makes a recommendation to the BOT
01/03/13	BOT informs the community of the survey results and advises proceeding with a vote on school uniforms
08/04/13	Pre voting information sheet to be distributed to all students.
10/04/13	Voting forms will be posted to all eligible parents and caregivers of years 0-4 students only.
18/04/13	Voting forms to be returned to the school office by 4pm.
19/04/13	BOT communicates voting outcome to school community

Based on the recent school uniform survey results and prior to a voting form being sent home please consider the information below to help you make an informed vote.

Cost

The survey results told the BOT that the potential cost of a uniform was one of the biggest concerns.  Basic research at some Hamilton schools shows that:

• Decile 6 school Aberdeen have introduced a uniform and the cost for that is $139 (inc. polo shirt, polar fleece and shorts/skort) which is in line with the current Woodstock voluntary uniform. http://www.aberdeen.school.nz/?page_id=4
• Less expensive uniforms seem to be those bought directly from specialized uniform suppliers. 
• If the school community supports a compulsory uniform the BOT would then consult with the community on type of uniform, suppliers and method of distribution while aiming to keep costs as low as possible for all families.

     Voting and Any Change

• 75% of the total number of families with children in years 1-4 on the current school role who return voting forms will need to support the proposal (i.e. vote yes) for a compulsory uniform in order for change to be initiated.
• If Uniform were adopted it would be introduced in 2014 for Years 0-4 (Years 5-6 would be exempt in 2014 and Year 6 exempt in 2015).
• If the outcome of the vote is no, the Board may consider keeping the current voluntary school uniform policy.
• A list of eligible caregivers with voting rights is available at the school office.

*** Once a final decision is made the BOT would be unlikely to consider uniforms again for a significant period of time.
 
Further reading on school uniforms can be found at:
http://www.proconlists.com/list/education/school-uniforms/35http://www/sheknows.com/living/articles/809991/the-pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms