Nothing uniform in debate over what kids should wear to school

Chelsea Channing

By Chelsea Channing / Gordon Cairns
Published June 29, 2017

School uniforms have long been a feature of Australian classrooms, evoking a shared identity among the students who wear them. But the effect a school dress or pair of pants can have on an individual student’s gender identity has caused a number of schools to begin rethinking their policies on what students must wear to class.

Highgate School, an elite co-ed school in London made headlines in May, announcing plans to introduce a ‘mix and match’ ...

This story appeared in the July 2017 edition of Australian Teacher Magazine.

General Hand - Grounds & Maintenance

Oran Park Anglican College Oran Park NSW

Oran Park Anglican College seeks a General Hand - Grounds & Maintenance for a permanent part-time (0.8 FTE/4 days per week) role commencing January 2027. Responsibilit...

Non Teaching Positions/Roles / Nov 06, 2026

Assistant Head of Girls Boarding - Interim

Canberra Grammar School Red Hill ACT

The Assistant Head of Girls Boarding will be caring, experienced and ambitious to make a difference.

School Management / Nov 06, 2026

Nursery Supply Staff

Veritas Cambridge

Teaching - Early childhood / Nov 06, 2026

School news / ‘Swamped by bots’: Aussie teachers have fled from X. Everything has changed

A mass exodus of teachers from X has changed the nature of professional dialogue and connection online, with educators resorting to using LinkedIn as an alternative.

School news / Revamp: Holocaust, Jewish history to enter curriculum following ACARA review

Lessons on Australia’s Jewish history and the Holocaust will form part of a nationwide education overhaul to help eradicate anti-Semitism.

School news / Initiate ‘the look’: AERO drops new classroom management resources

Tested in Australian schools and refined with input from teachers and school leaders, a new suite of classroom management resources has just been released by AERO.

School news / What mandated civics and citizenship lessons in Years 9 and 10 might mean for teachers

The announcement this week that education ministers nationwide are considering making civics and citizenship lessons mandatory in Years 9 and 10 has huge implications for schools.

School news / The med students mentoring and coaching regional and disadvantaged students

A girl growing up in rural Australia wants to become a doctor, but her school doesn’t offer chemistry and her part-time job at a pharmacy is her only exposure to the medical system.

School news / Hillcrest tragedy: jumping castle operator to face questions at inquest

The operator of an inflatable jumping castle that became airborne, killing six primary school students, will give evidence at an inquest into the tragedy.

School news / ‘Gone too far’: AI ‘detox’, anti-Semitism lessons in national education overhaul

Restricted access to AI, compulsory civics lessons and anti-Semitism education will form the basis of a nationwide curriculum overhaul.

School news / Teenage girl allegedly tried to access guns for school attack

A 15-year-old girl has wept in court as she faced terrorism-related charges after allegedly trying to break into her family’s gun safe as she plotted a mass casualty attack on a school.

School news / Students to go old school with return to NAPLAN pen-and-paper testing

Year 5 students will take standardised national tests with pen and paper again from 2028. The Federal Government said in response to declining academic results it will make the change to NAPLAN testing after state education ministers met on Monday...

Opinion / Smart glasses have ‘no place’ in Victorian schools. What does that say about disability inclusion?

Language matters in education. Not simply the language written into policies, but the words chosen by those responsible for leading our education system. Words communicate expectations, reinforce assumptions and influence how school communities un...

Comments