Tamatea adds pants for girls
With the media shining a spotlight on unisex uniforms last year, leaders at Tamatea High School decided to review its uniform rules.
In consultation with the students, the school decided to change the school rule to allow the girls to wear short and long pants. The girls have enjoyed the option to wear trousers, says principal Robin Fabish.
Many of the girls are still wearing skirts and stockings, but some who prefer pants are wearing those instead. Year 13 student Chontelle Knight says pants are much more comfortable to wear and Junelle Moyes prefers long pants in the winter because they are warmer than wearing a skirt.
“It’s great that our girls have the option to choose to wear pants. They’re comfortable, allow ease of movement, they’re warm and more importantly why shouldn’t they be allowed to wear them? Which work place doesn’t allow women to wear pants?”says Year 9 Dean, Josie Burdon.
Robin says they listened to their students’ voice and acted on their wishes.
“We work very hard to have an affordable, comfortable and practical uniform that our students are happy to wear so we spend less time policing who is wearing what and more time on learning.”