Uniform Policy

Purpose
The purpose of the Matthew Flinders Anglican College Uniform Policy is to:

• Ensure that Matthew Flinders Anglican College students are very well presented without focus on personal vanity.  Parents and teachers play an important role in guiding students’ attitudes towards appropriate uniform and personal presentation.
• Develop a sense of community amongst students who take pride in themselves and in their school.
• Provide practical and uniform standards of dress and appearance to ensure students’ health and safety and to allow the immediate identification of students.
• Maintain a standard of dress and appearance that is consistent with the very high expectations of the Matthew Flinders Anglican College community. 

Policy Development
This policy represents the expectations and requirements of the majority of the members of our community.  This policy has been developed through a consultative process, with the views of parents, students and staff being sought through various channels.  The Uniform Policy is approved by College Council on the recommendations of the Principal and the Uniform Committee.  The Uniform Committee is the forum for review of the uniform.  Notification of any alteration to the uniform will be given to parents at least one term in advance with a specified phasing in period.

Policy Scope
Wearing the Matthew Flinders Anglican College uniform is compulsory.  This includes adhering to the specified standards of appearance and grooming.  This policy covers all students enrolled at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.  Families are expected to support the College in every aspect of this policy.  Students who are unable to wear the complete uniform (including HPE uniform) for any reason are required to present a note from their parent/guardian to the Head of Primary or Head of House, who will issue a short term exemption slip. 

Non-Uniform Days occur at times during the year, usually to raise funds for charitable causes.  On these occasions, dress must be neat and conventional and include sensible and closed footwear.

GENERAL (Preparatory to Year 12)

1. Several optional items of uniform are available to provide students with a choice of clothing which best suit their needs.
2. The uniform must be worn as a whole.  It should not be supplemented by non-uniform items, nor should items be omitted.  The specific uniform pieces are outlined in Attachment 1.
3. All clothing must be kept in excellent repair, clean, well pressed and named.
4. All items of uniform are to be fitted and purchased from the Uniform Shop with the exception of shoes.
5. Hats:

• College formal hats with hat band are to be worn travelling to and from the College, on excursions, in the street and at bus stops. For sun safety reasons, a hat must be worn before morning homeroom, during recess and at lunchtime.
• Students must wear a MFAC broad brimmed or bucket hat during physical education lessons. 
• Hats may not be worn in classrooms.
• All hats must be kept clean and in good condition. We recommend that they are kept in lockers during class and that boys’ hats be scotch-guarded to help maintain shape.

6. Black or navy sunglasses may be worn out of doors, but are not to be worn in classrooms.  These are available for purchase at the Uniform Shop.
    
7. Shoes are to be well maintained, cleaned and polished:

• Prep – Year 2 students – White sports shoes with no extreme flashes of colour.
• Years 3 –12 students – Conventional black leather lace-up shoes with flat heels and plain black laces. Shoes are to be polished regularly and laces tied correctly. Jogger brands and styles with higher heels and coloured stitching are not to be worn.  Sport shoes are to be as near white as possible with no extreme flashes of colour and must have non-marking soles.   

8. Winter uniform is worn from a date advised by the Principal (no later than the third Monday in May).  Blazers /jackets are worn to and from College from that time until the end of Term 3.
9. Formal College uniform items such as jumpers and blazers are not to be worn with a sport uniform.
10. No jewellery is allowed except a wristwatch or bracelet/pendant bearing a medical alert.  Female students may wear one pair of matching earrings in the ear lobes only.  These must be unobtrusive plain gold/silver sleepers or plain gold/silver studs and must not present a risk to health and safety.  Prohibited jewellery will be confiscated until the end of term.
11. Hair. The MFAC community has determined that the following guidelines for the length and style of male and female students’ hair are appropriate.  

• All students’ hair must be kept neat and in an appropriate conventional style as determined by the Principal, Head of Primary or Secondary or Deans of Students.  Hair must be a natural colour and must be kept off the face and above or off the collar at all times. 
• For male students, hair must be kept short and neat at all times.  The minimum allowed clipper length is No. 3.  Boys must be clean shaven.  Sideburns may only extend to half way down the ear.
• For female students, hair worn in a longer style must be tied or kept up and back.  Elastics must be in a neutral colour similar to the colour of the student’s own hair. It is preferred that ribbons or scrunchies be worn to cover elastics.  Matching hair accessories including clips or headbands may be worn.  All hair accessories must be in the College colours of white, navy, jade or tartan (in winter) and can be purchased from the Uniform Shop.  

12. Make-up and coloured nail polish are prohibited.  On medical advice, a discrete concealer or medicated application may be used to cover blemishes or skin complaints.
13. Students must use regulation MFAC school bags.  If an additional bag is required for sporting gear, the MFAC sports bag is preferred.
14. The MFAC scarf (available from the Uniform Shop) and navy gloves are optional winter items.
15. Please use a navy or black umbrella and a navy or gold raincoat in wet weather.  These items are available at the Uniform Shop. 

Infringements will be given for breaches of the Uniform Policy.  As with all behaviour management issues, we request the cooperation of parents in ensuring College rules are upheld and that all students are appropriately dressed in line with College expectations.

In the event of any ambiguity regarding this policy, the Principal, Head of Primary or Head of Secondary will make the final determination.

Any queries or feedback regarding the Uniform Policy can be directed to the Uniform Committee.  If parents envisage any difficulties meeting the requirements of this policy, please contact the relevant Head of School.

Attachment 1

Specific Sport Uniforms

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