DRESS CODE 2016
Part of the Special Character of Michael Park School is that we do not have a school uniform. We have
endeavoured to match this dress code with our view of the growing consciousness of the child from 5
years to 18 years in keeping with our Special Character. As High school students provide an important
role model for our younger children and represent the school in the wider community, what they wear
and how they wear it is very important in the school environment.
Please read this dress code carefully. It sets out what the school requires to ensure that students’ dress is
appropriate for school activities and acceptable in appearance. All clothing should be of an appropriate
and functional style for school activities.
GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
A tidy, clean, modest standard of dress is expected for all school activities. Clothes should be age and
school appropriate, and comfortable for the weather and activity / function. Clothing should not restrict
movement. Students are not to wear tight jeans or skirts and dresses. Some lessons require sports
clothes, or other subject-specific clothing for safety or practical reasons. There are public and formal
school occasions where semi-formal dress is required.
REQUIREMENTS
These requirements must be adhered to for all lessons, unless subject specific clothes are endorsed by
the teacher:
1. Tops must cover the shoulders, at least by four fingers width, and all underwear straps.
2. The whole torso must be covered. Guideline: not more than four finger-widths below the neck.
Tops need to be long enough to cover the midriff even during exercise, and the chest must be
covered.
3. Shorts and trousers should be properly held up around the waist, with a belt if necessary.
4. Skirts and shorts must not be shorter than four finger-widths (horizontal) above the knee.
5. Sunhat required during terms 1 & 4 for break, lunch and outdoor lessons.
6. Clothing, footwear and sports uniform should be named.
7. Even where leggings under-skirts and under-shorts are warn, skirts and shorts must still meet the
required length (see above).
ALLOWED
1. Plain coloured shirts and jumpers
REVIEWED:
RELATED POLICY:
RELATED NAGs:
2016
Health & Safety
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2. Patterned fabric (e.g. striped, spotted, geometric designs, multicoloured). The pattern must not
be offensive.
3. Small logos (words or designs, not company logos) no bigger than a playing card.
4. Michael Park School logo and name on sports clothing and cultural group clothing
NOT ALLOWED
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Words, pictures, designs or logos bigger than a playing card
Ripped or torn clothing
Transparent or see through tops, unless the under-garment meets the dress code (see
requirements)
Revealing t-shirts, dresses, miniskirts and shorts. Clothing that exposes the midriff or underwear
is not permitted.
Singlets
Low riders
Roller shoes
Wearing hats, hoods and / or sunglasses in the classroom
Visible tattoos
Body piercings (the only exception is one hole through the lower lobe of each ear with a stud /
sleeper in each)
Nail polish
Makeup
Dog collars, metal studded accessories, chains.
Gym/games clothing: Students must change for games into another top and pants/shorts and wear
sports sneakers with adequate grip. Michael Park School sports uniform required in Classes 6 – 8. Sports
uniform is compulsory for all students in sports teams.
Footwear: Students must have appropriate footwear in the playground and are not to be barefoot at
break times. For safety reasons, during woodwork, metalwork and gardening lessons shoes with closed
toes must be worn. Jandals should not be worn at all.
Hats: Hats are not to be worn inside. Hats must be worn in both breaks, outside activities, camps and
outings in term 1 and 4. We urge parents to purchase wide brimmed hats. Hats in our Michael Park
colour are available for sale from the office.
Hair: Hair should be kept clean and tidy and be kept off the face. Long hair must be tied back or held in
place with a head band or clips to ensure a tidy appearance, to avoid hair falling over the face and for
safety reasons in practical lessons. No dyeing of hair except in natural (human hair) colours. No extreme
hairstyles, eg dreadlocks, Mohawks, shaved heads or shorts cuts below `no 2’. High School: The use of
hair gel is permitted.
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MAKEUP AND JEWELLERY
Lower School Jewellery: No jewellery allowed except for a watch (recommended only from class 3) and
one stud / sleeper earring in each ear. No bracelets, bangles, rings, necklaces or dangling earrings.
Please note rules above with regard to piercings. One friendship band permitted for students in Classes 5
– 7.
High School Jewellery: Jewellery may be worn but, for safety reasons, long earrings, bracelets, and rings
are not permitted during woodwork, craft, metalwork, gym lessons and camp and students will be asked
to remove them. Only one earring in each ear is permitted. Please note rule above with regard to
piercings.
Makeup: In classes 1 – 7 makeup is not permitted. High School students are permitted to wear light,
subtle makeup.
CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE DRESS CODE
If a student arrives at school and is clearly in breach of the dress code, students will be given a warning
and parents may be contacted and asked to bring a change of clothes or to collect the student to rectify
the problem. Students may be asked to wear the article of clothing inside out for that day. Further
noncompliance will be dealt with according to student management procedures.
Lower School (Class 1 -7):
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Students who are inappropriately dressed will be referred to Mrs Feenstra (Classes 1-7)
High School (Class 8 - 12):
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Girls who are inappropriately dressed will be referred to Mrs Barretto in the first instance
Boys who are inappropriately dressed will be referred to Mr Johnstone in the first instance
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