Our new Raglan Area School Uniform; your initial questions answered

Why did the board decide to implement a uniform?

• Please read the detailed explanation on the school website, Why introduce school uniforms at Raglan Area School?

Timing:

When will the uniform become available for purchase?

• All going well with production/logistics, the uniform will be available for purchase during the middle of Term Two, 2021.

When will students be required to wear the uniform?

• The uniform will be mandatory for students starting in Term Three, 2021 (as long as we can meet our production deadlines).

Will all students be required to wear the uniform?

• In 2021, the uniform will only be required for students in years 0-11. Students in years 12 and 13 will continue with the existing dress code.
• In 2022 the uniform will be extended to Year 12.
• Year 13 will wear mufti.

Cost/Purchasing:

When will the uniform become available for purchase?

• The uniform will be available for purchase during the middle of Term Two, 2021.

Where can I buy the uniform?

• The Uniform will be for sale online via a Webshop with NZ Uniforms.

How much will the uniform cost?

• The estimated cost for a complete set of uniform items for one student is as follows:Years 0-6: $200-250 (2xTs, 1 short or skort, 1 sweater, 1 hat, 1 trouser, 1 PE T-shirt). A bare minimum number of items would cost $159 (1 x T, 1 short or skort, 1 sweater, 1 PE T shirt).
  Years 7-10: $250 – $350 (same as above, skirt option, option to wear shirt instead of T, plus PE hoodie and trackies)
  Years 11-13: $350 – $500 (same as above plus blazer option and long skirt option)

Are there any second hand options?

• Initially there will not be as the uniform is brand new and designed specifically for our school. As students leave school or grow out of their old uniforms we will be establishing a second hand uniform shop.

Will there be payment options available?

• Yes, NZ Uniforms has a full range of payment options including Zip where you’ll be able to split the total cost into 4 payments. For further details please see the Payment Options page on their website.

Will the school subsidise the cost of the uniform?

• Yes, in 2021 as we are rolling out the uniform for the first time there will be an optional subsidy of $50 per student available from the school by way of a Gift Certificate for NZ Uniforms. Details on exactly how this will be distributed will be made available closer to the time. If families choose not to use this $50 contribution, it will be redistributed to other families who might need extra help.

What happens if I can’t afford the uniform?

• If you genuinely cannot afford to buy the school uniform for your child(ren), please make an appointment to speak with school leadership to review options available to you.

Uniform Range:

When will the uniform range be made public?

• The range will be shared with the school community as soon as it’s confirmed.

When will we be able to see and try on uniform samples?

• We anticipate the samples being available to show parents and students in Term One, 2021.

My child is in Te Roopu Aroha Ki Te Reo and already has a uniform, I don’t want to buy a new one.

• Students with existing Roopu uniforms will be permitted to continue wearing these uniforms until they have grown out of them or they are worn out.

What will happen to other RAS uniforms currently in use i.e. hoodies, sports uniforms etc?

• Students will be permitted to wear these uniforms as appropriate to purpose e.g. approved school sports uniforms will be able to be worn at sports practices or sports games, RAS branded hoodies will be worn out of school hours or during school camps and / or school mufti days.

What fabric will the school uniform be made from as my child has very sensitive skin?

• Most items in the range where possible will be made from a natural fibre. The fabric we have chosen is; organically grown, breathable, durable, soft on the skin, moisture-wicking & odour resistant, antibacterial & antifungal, and UV resistant, It is easy-wash & care, does not contain any microplastics, won’t shrink, is resistant to mould & mildew, and is fully biodegradable.
• Our uniform range will be made from natural fabrics, as well as also using natural labelling and plastic-free buttons. All garments will be flat-packed in biodegradable and compostable packaging.
• Studies show that comfortable clothing has a positive effect on students’ understanding, performance and productivity. A child spends an average of 35 hours a week in their school uniform —that’s more than 16,000 hours across a school-life. It makes sense that we clothe them in comfortable, healthy and environmentally-friendly clothing.

Is there a specific uniform shoe?

We have set the following guidelines for shoes:

• Shoes / sandals are required to be totally black (including the laces) with a low heel.
• Shoes / sandals need to have a back on the heel i.e. jandals or slides are not permitted
• Unisex plain white OR black socks (with no labels) are to be worn with the shoes as appropriate.
• The one pair of shoes can be worn all year.
• Bare feet are still allowed at school

Are there rules for hair and jewellery?

• Hair, including facial hair, must be clean and tidy.
• Hair is to be tied back from the face when required for health and safety reasons e.g. in the food tech or materials technology classrooms.

Is there a different uniform for PE?

• Yes, there is a specific, unisex range for the new PE uniform.
• Students with existing PE T-shirts will be permitted to wear them until their existing T-shirt is either worn out or too small.

Are there any unisex uniform options?

• The entire uniform range offers unisex options.
• If in doubt about which items of clothing to purchase please seek guidance from school office or leadership staff.