Schools across Australia are increasingly ditching their uniforms for everyday "free dress", but child psychology experts remain firm: the uniform should stay.

Parents across the nation this week waved their children goodbye for the first day back at school, with many sporting checked dresses, polo shirts and the ubiquitous flip-style netball skirts.

But Fitzroy High School in Melbourne's inner suburbs and Indooroopilly State High School in Brisbane were among a small percentage of schools that allowed a few more colourful fabrics onto school grounds.

So long as it was "not offensive", "not too short" or "not too brief" these schools welcomed children's self-expression through clothing.

But child psychology experts beg to disagree, saying the benefits of school uniforms outweigh the potential problems of free dress.

Australian Catholic University Professor Peter Wilson, who researches the field of motor and cognitive development, told The New Daily uniforms deter social-status comparisons and reduce pressure on children about their clothing options.

He said children were sensitive to labelled clothing and brands and had the potential to create "in groups" and "out groups".

"There is an argument in the United States, where uniforms are less common than they are here in Australia and the UK, that clothing can promote a strong-sense of independence and freedom of thought," he said.

"That's very much a part of the US ethos, however kids and adolescents still get opportunities to express their individuality with clothing [on occasions] and in their choice of pastime or recreation outside of school."

Perth-based child psychologist Jordan Foster told The New Daily the uniform model "as it stands is still working".

Ms Foster said there was scientific evidence to support both the US free-dress model and the Australian model, where uniforms are generally enforced in government and many private school institutions.

She said uniforms fostered a sense of camaraderie, a unity within peer groups, minimised bullying in schools and particularly assisted children with developmental issues.

"Having a uniform makes them feel included when they otherwise might not," Ms Foster said.

"Everyone is on the same page, there is a sense of belonging and any differences between socio-economic status gets ruled out."

The cost factor

Children's desire for designer brands aside, the jury is still out on what is more affordable, free dress or school-designed uniforms.

Managing director of Melbourne-based school uniform shop Dobson's, Alistair Dobson, said the average price for a basic basket of clothes for a government-school uniform ranged between $240 and $340, with independent schools registering a slightly higher top figure of $380.

However, those numbers are dwarfed by the cost parents must fork out for the bare basics at a number of Victorian schools, according to the Dobson's website.

Scotch College, an independent school in Melbourne's inner-east, demands $465 for these basics: a blazer, a shirt, a pair of school shorts, a set of trousers, a tie, a pair of socks, a backpack, and a sports ensemble.

For a standard uniform at the co-educational Auburn High School, parents will be set back $500 for a blazer, a dress, a pullover, a winter skirt, a polo top, and a pair of sports shorts.

The 'safety' factor

President of the South Australian Association of School Parent Communities Jenice Zerna believes uniforms ensure student safety.

"If somebody comes on grounds not in uniform, someone can look out and notice," she said.

"It's more effective they look really good, the classes are in the same colours, it looks nice and can be a good reflection on the school."

However, Ms Zerna acknowledged free dress policies could be acceptable if appropriate standards were upheld.

"It's all about consultation with the students and the parents if the students are involved, I would be more supportive," she said.

 

By: Farrah Plummer and Matt Johnson

From: thenewdaily.com.au

Above: Stephen Elder was one of a significant number of Senior Staff in Catholic Education to finish in their role during 2018.

When CaSPA looked to update its address list for the traditional Christmas greetings late in 2018, there were significant changes from those who received greetings in 2017. This list includes the Directors of Education from the Dioceses around Australia as well as key peak bodies such as NCEC and the NSW Catholic Education Commission.

Of the 28 names on the list - 10 had changed in just 12 months.  This is a replacement rate of 36%. When compared with our own principals' "replacement rate" of 14% on average per year, it is significantly higher. 

We do understand that there is a fair expectation of annual change due to retirement and people seeking other positions, and in fact this is healthy in any organisation as we know from our own staffing patterns in school from year to year.

The changes "at the top" of Catholic Education in 2018 however exceeded this reasonable expectation. On top of that we are aware of some Directors leaving on anything but the best of terms.  Some of these cases received media coverage - others not as much publicity, but of concern nevertheless.

Currently CaSPA is preparing a submission on Governance of Catholic Education.  This includes all those involved in Goverance - from Bishops down to Principals and senior leaders in schools. Key to this is the capacity to be able to engage in robust professional discussion with those in the higher echelons of Governance of Catholic Education without fear that there will be reprisals - or even the loss of your job.... 

A national survey by Monash University shows the Australian public is largely supportive of digital technology in schools, but a number of concerns remain.

Australian adults are largely positive about the overall benefits of technology in schools, with sizable support for the future rollout of online exams, blended learning classes and even facial recognition systems in classrooms within the next 10 years.

However, a number of issues continue to concern parents and the wider public. Nearly 40 per cent of adults believe that 'big tech' companies such as Google and Microsoft cannot be trusted to play a leading role in supporting schools' technology use.

Similarly, there is strong public support for mobile phone restrictions with nearly 80 per cent supporting the idea of classroom bans, and just under one-third support a total school-wide ban.

The key findings of the report include:

• 66% of adults agree that digital technologies make a positive contribution to Australian schools
• 37% of adults believe 'big tech' companies cannot be trusted to play a role in school technology
• 79% of adults support schools banning the use of mobile phones while students are in class
• 44% of adults are happy to see online exams
• 34% want blended learning opportunities
• 46% of adults would like facial recognition technology (computerised video tracking in schools to monitor attendance and ensure safety) incorporated into classrooms over the next 10 years
• Only 21% of adults believe that parents should pay for their child's BYOD (bring your own device) laptop or digital tablet if schools do not give them a choice of device

The most strongly supported idea from the survey was the importance of schools to teach students information technology skills that are relevant for future jobs (86.3%).

 

The full Report from Monash University can be found at this link: https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1626236/Education-Futures-Research-Report-Digital-Lessons.pdf

Private schools have slammed "glossy marketing campaigns" aimed at parents for inflating what they argue is the true cost of education to sell financial products.

As families increasingly consider financial planning to prepare for the rising cost of private schooling and university, independent schools have cautioned some of the costs portrayed are inflated.

The Australian Scholarship Group released new research this week that estimated the average median cost of an independent school education was $298,689 for each child, rising to up to half a million dollars for the richest private schools in Australia.

The estimates take into account school fees, estimated at $4196 over average for a Catholic school, but also other annual expenses including transport ($401), uniforms ($447), external tuition ($577) and devices ($1021).

But even without private tuition, the ASG Planning for Education Index found the average median cost of a government education in regional Australia is $57,994 over 12 years, urging parents to plan for the future with their financial products.

The Australian Scholarship Group offers parents tax-effective savings plans not scholarships to pay private tuition and university fees. But like any investment, it carries risks in terms of annual returns.

"Education costs, including tuition costs, uniforms, transport and devices, are demanding a far greater share of the family budget than in the past," ASG chief executive officer Ross Higgins said.

But the Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) said the big estimates of the cost of private schools were over-egged.

"While ISCA supports parents using sensible financial strategies to help provide for their children's schooling, parents should note that school fee estimates used in the marketing material of these products do not reflect the fees of the majority of Independent schools," ISCA executive director Barry Wallett said.

"The most recent official data available shows a median Australian metropolitan Independent school fee of $6685 per annum. Nationally, more than two-thirds of metropolitan Independent schools are charging below $10,000 per annum.

"In addition, there are numerous ways parents can save on costs; with many Independent schools offering scholarships, all-inclusive fees, and discounts for siblings or lump sum payments. ISCA strongly encourages parents to do their own research on the fees of the schools that interest them."

The cost of education has long run at more than twice the rate of inflation.

But ASG stressed that private tuition fees are only part of the equation, with the cost of laptops, iPads, camps, sports and extra-curricular programs taken into account by its index.

 

From: thenewdaily.com.au

By:  Samantha Maiden, Jan 30, 2019

We thank the following colleagues for sharing their profiles with us:

	St Mary's Catholic School, Wellington - Leanne Clarke
	Parade College Bundoora - A Kuppe
	Good Samaritan Catholic College, Sunshine Coast - Greg Myers

If you would like to join the growing number of schools who have their profile on the CaSPA website, simply send an email with "CaSPA Profile Template" in the subject line to admin@caspa.edu.au and we will send you a template to complete and return.