Escalating costs of clothing our pupils
GOLD Coast parents are spending up to $220 for a single basic uniform and more than $390 for accessories as students return to school this week.
A Bulletin analysis of uniform pricing on the Gold Coast reveals that parents will be forking out hundreds for shirts, shorts and skirts with some schools charging top dollar for accessories such as compulsory bags, hats, socks, ties and belts.
Figures show on average families are spending $88.58 for a basic primary school uniform and $128.95 for a high school kit.
A basic uniform, consisting of the cheapest formal hat, shirt, shorts or dress, was calculated using figures available on each school’s website.
Tamborine Mountain College parents are spending the most, forking out $224 for an average uniform. The bulk of the price was made up of the school’s $135 Akubra hat.
Parents at The Southport School and A.B. Paterson
College spend on average $212.30 and $207 respectively on a basic senior uniform.
The cheapest school uniform on the Coast was at Nerang State School, where parents are spending on average $53.50 for a shirt, shorts and the school bucket hat.
Figures also reveal when it comes to accessories, male high school students cost parents more for costlier additions such as belts, knee-high socks and more expensive ties.
Somerset College topped
A.B Paterson College: $207. Rivermont College: $190. St Hilda’s School: $190.
the list for additions such as compulsory blazers, bags, socks and belts, totalling more than $393 on average for each senior student.
It was followed by A.B Paterson ($391.50), The Southport School ($352.90) and Emmanuel College ($335).
Despite the costly back-toschool season, Gold Coast mother of three and founding Emmanuel College student Debbie Palmer-Cosman said a uniform was something to be proud of.
“I am definitely known as a non-traditional mum when it comes to parenting and schooling, but I do believe that a school uniform can be like a badge of honour,” she said. “It is a reflection of so many different aspects such as being identified as part of a community, connection, respect, value and it also provides an equal dress code among all students, which helps in establishing an equal platform with the kids.”
Ms Palmer-Cosman said she felt the school was conscious of finding affordable and durable outfits for families.
“As a new mum entering the schooling system some 10 years ago I would always buy brand new uniforms. When I would walk into the school uniform shop, I would look at the second-hand rack and think ‘no way’. But the more kids you have at school the less you worry about buying a second-hand dress or pair of dress shorts. Especially when kids grow so fast.”
While some hand-medowns are passable, one item really adds up in the PalmerCosman household.
“It may not be the most expensive item, but school hats are definitely an ongoing challenge of being lost,” said Ms Palmer-Cosman, mother to Jessica, Sarah and Lachlan.
“Even if you put their name clearly on the hat they often escape to the hidden vortex of lost hats. I once had one hat reappear two years later.”
But whether it is a school formal dress, tie, swimmers, school bag, belt or a sports top … it all adds up. Kids are expensive.
“Most of us are doing the parent juggling act. As a mum, I am always searching for ways of being better, which also includes letting go of our parent guilt of not being good enough with everything from A-Z sometimes.”