More Than Just Fabric: Building Community

Have you considered why our emergency services, defence forces, or even the McDonald’s franchise all wear the same uniform? Is it just because a leader wants to stifle individuality? Or is it because they want their people to be drones walking aimlessly in unison together? This simply is not the case at St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock but these can often be the response I hear when I questions students as to why they haven’t worn the correct uniform.

Wearing a branded uniform carries enormous significance and connectedness for our students at SPCC – as well as being a badge of pride, creating identity for the College and is an important part of being a student.

Firstly, wearing a uniform allows students to respect where they are, and what they are a part of. Much like when we want our children to dress immaculately for Grandma’s birthday... wearing a College uniform has the same connotations of reflecting on the respect we have in and for SPCC. We set high standards in the Cessnock community, and the correct wearing of our College uniform helps our students to display respect for the staff, the College and their own family.

Secondly, wearing a branded uniform is a major requirement in many sectors of employment. How many of our wonderful families out there run their own business and have a particular work uniform? Would you, as an employer, be impressed with a staff member turning up to work in the wrong uniform or looking like they’re in disarray? Often workers face disciplinary actions from their employer if they are not correctly dressed – we are setting our students up to achieve the industry standard. Athletes who arrive to game day not in their correct team attire have been stood down from games or fined a percentage of their match fees. Creating a habit of wearing the branded uniform is a crucial life skill we must teach our youth.

Finally, wearing the College branded uniform shows discipline and a togetherness. Our College has a clear uniform policy on what is permissible to be worn by students – both in terms of clothing and accessories. Uniforms are more than just pieces of fabric, they show that we are part of an organisation and most importantly, that we are all in this together.

An except from The Guardian has a Year Eight student touching on these very issues,

‘I like uniforms because everyone is the same and no one can be left out by the way they are dressed. My uniform might not be what I would wear in my own time, but it gives me a sense of belonging, takes away the pressure of what to wear and deters the bullies. School uniform isn’t always fashionable, but that’s exactly why I think it should be here to stay.’

It is an absolute pleasure to work with your child here at St Philip’s Christian College. The College appreciates your support in having students adhere to the Uniform Policy.

Andrew Roxby

Assistant Head of Senior School