Uniforms bounce into fashion

By REBECCA WALSH and RENEE KIRIONA

The old school uniform, far from fading away, is returning stronger than ever as families prepare this week for the new school year.

Uniforms have long been a feature of secondary and intermediate schools but clothing suppliers say a growing number of primary schools are now following suit.

Mt Eden Normal Primary School has introduced compulsory uniforms for Years 1 to 4, although they are voluntary for Years 5 and 6.

Liberal Selwyn College has opted for uniforms for students in its junior school.

Oteha Valley School, opening this year, is posing the question to parents enrolling their children. Their decision would not be finalised until a Board of Trustees had been elected in July, principal Megan Bowden said.

David Kranz, owner of the School Uniform Centre in Remuera, estimates that his shop is supplying about 30 primary schools, twice as many as two years ago.

Schools favoured uniforms for a variety of reasons, he said. Without them children often faced peer pressure to wear the "right" label. Some schools believed uniforms created a more disciplined environment.

Many schools liked to make sure their students were "well decked out" in public.

Another retailer, who did not want to be named, said Asian and overseas parents in particular believed uniforms meant higher school standards.

Robyn Smith, general manager of Uniform Plus, which supplies uniforms to about 80 schools, said the trend was to use a uniform to build a school's image. It also eliminated some of the stress in getting children ready for school.

"Parents say they are being driven mad by their children in the morning, trying to decide what to wear."

PostiePlus's 60 stores supply uniforms produced overseas and Michelle Walsh, national sales co-ordinator for Schooltex, the chain's schoolwear division, believed more schools were introducing uniforms because they were more affordable.

"What might have cost $200 for a primary school uniform in the past is now available for $100."

Uniforms last year cost taxpayers almost $3.7 million in special grants by Work and Income for families who could not otherwise afford them. In the Auckland region alone the figure was almost $1.4 million.

But there is fashion in uniforms too. Long gone - for most - are the generic greys and navy.

Surf-type shorts, cargo pants, tracksuits, polo shirts, polar fleeces and vests are now all part of the line-up. Shorts are longer and skirts more likely to sit on the hip.

At Mt Eden Normal girls also had the option of "skorts" - shorts that look like a skirt.

Selwyn College co-principal Carol White doubted a traditional uniform would have been accepted. Junior students had the option of unisex shorts and trousers.

The change came after the school's trustees held a number of surveys, although Mt Eden Normal principal Judy Hucker said it had been "controversial".

Disgruntled parent Robyn Gandell said: "There are some very expensive items that make up the uniform and kids will be able to tell who is rich and who is not."

The head of the Auckland College of Education, John Langley, said research showed that uniforms made no difference to a child's education. "Uniforms have their advantages and disadvantages but research shows they do not improve a student's standard of learning.

Uniform costs

Example: Mt Eden Normal School.

Polo shirt: $26 (unisex).

Skorts or skirt: $28 (for girls).

Shorts: $25-26 (unisex).

Long trousers: $43 (unisex).

Girls' stretch/bootleg trousers: $28.

Fleece sweatshirt: $36 (unisex).

Fleece jacket: $42 (unisex, ideal for the winter).

Fleece vest: $42 (unisex).

Pinafore: $37 (girls, ideal for the winter).

Tunic: $50-65 (for girls, ideal for the summer).

Unisex hat ($12) or cap ($15)

Proponents say

* Uniforms instil discipline and a school identity.

* Pupils are less competitive about what they wear.

* Pupils are in no doubt where they stand on the dress code.

Critics say

* Uniforms reduce a child's identity

* Uniforms mean extra costs for parents

* Some families fear it can interfere with the wish to wear religious clothing.