School Uniform

• The College blazer or jacket must be worn to and from school in Terms 2 and 3, until period 1 commences, and before being dismissed from classes at the end of each day
  
  
• Plain black, navy or maroon gloves and a plain black, navy or maroon scarf may be worn during Terms 2 and 3
  
  
• Soft leather shoes, black joggers, boots or suede shoes are not acceptable
  
  
• Garments worn under blouses or shirts, if worn, are not to be visible
  
  
• The only acceptable headwear is the College cap or bucket hat.

• The full College tracksuit is a compulsory item of uniform for ALL students in Year 7 to 10
  
  
• Students may wear their sports uniform to and from the College on the designated sports day - Thursday. On days when students have designated PDHPE practical lessons, they must bring their sports uniform and change for their PDHPE lesson at the appropriate time. They are not to come to school dressed in their sports uniform
  
  
• A College cap or bucket hat is a compulsory item of the uniform and must be worn during PE lessons and sport
  
  
• Soft leather shoes, black joggers, boots or suede shoes are not acceptable
  
  
• In all descriptions of socks above, anklet socks are not to be worn
  
  
• Appropriate clothing must be worn for participation in specialist courses. 

Part of the condition of enrolment at Bede Polding College is that students follow the guidelines set out in relation to hairstyle, presentation and jewellery.

GENERAL

All students must have hair that is of a natural colour. Unnatural colours and extreme contrasts created through the use of dyes are not permitted. Students are not permitted to have facial or body piercings (other than those described as approved jewellery) or tattoos or other permanent markings on any part of their body that is not covered by their school uniform.

GIRLS

Girls’ hair that is longer than shoulder length is to be tied back from the face and behind the head. Fringes and other lengths of hair are to be off the face and out of the eyes. Extremes of style are to be avoided. Styles are expected to be reasonably conservative and guided by common sense. Examples of unacceptable styles include what are known as 'undercuts', 'mullets', 'slits', 'steps', 'lines', 'no. 1 grades', 'rats tails', and shaved patterns or partings.

Ribbons, hair slides or bands, elastics etc. if worn, must be plain, single coloured and either navy, maroon, black or white only.

If nail polish is worn, it must be clear and plain, not coloured or decorated in any way. Artificial nail extensions, if worn, must be of a length that is deemed to be safe.

The use of the following make-up is accepted at the College:

• Lightly applied natural shades of foundation
• Brown or black mascara
• Clear nail polish
• Clear lip gloss

The following will NOT be accepted:

• Blush
• Eyeshadow
• Eyeliner
• Lip balm must be clear, non-glitter and without any colouring
• Fake eyelashes or eyelash extensions

BOYS

Boys are expected to keep their hair well-groomed. Hair is to be neatly cut, not extend beyond the collar, of natural colour, even grade and all extremes of style are to be avoided. Fringes must not extend beyond the eyebrows when brushed forward. Shaved heads are not permitted. Styles are expected to be reasonably conservative and guided by common sense. 

Examples of unacceptable styles include what are known as 'undercuts', 'mullets', 'slits', 'layers' 'steps', 'lines', 'no. 1 grades', 'pony tails', 'rats tails', 'spikes', marked contrasts of length or shape, long fringes and shaved patterns or partings. The use of excessive gel, wax or other styling products is not permitted.

Shaving lines or nicks into the eyebrow are not permitted. 

Boys are to be clean shaven with sideburns not extending beyond the bottom of the ear lobe. Boys who come to school unshaven will be sent to the student foyer, provided with a razor, which they will be required to pay for, and shave before returning to class. 

This list is not exhaustive. Action will follow against those who are not complying with College rules and no correspondence will be entered into. The Assistant Principal's judgement is final.

Students may wear only the following items of jewellery:

• The Bede Polding College bag (available from the uniform shop) is compulsory for all students in the school.
  
  
• Graffiti and stickers must not be used to decorate bags.

The only variation to students’ attire will be that they are allowed to wear neat casual clothing instead of their normal school uniform. All other regulations still apply.

This means that:

• All normal school rules for hair, jewellery and make up will apply
  
  
• All students must wear enclosed footwear, i.e. no thongs or sandals
  
  
• All clothing must be neat, modest and appropriate. The following guidelines for clothing are to be observed:
  
  
  • There should be no inappropriate slogans or images on any clothing.
  • Clothing should cover the shoulders (ie. no shoe string straps for girls and no sleeveless singlets for boys) and should completely cover the midriff. Girls’ tops should have appropriately modest necklines.
  • If dresses, skirts or shorts are worn, they must be of suitable length and style.
  • Jeans for both boys and girls are not to be worn in such a manner that any part of the midriff or underwear is exposed.

Any student who breaches the above dress regulations may be asked to go home immediately and will lose the privilege of wearing mufti for any other mufti days held during the year.

In all cases except those relating to facial piercings, the following process will be followed:

• Any student whose uniform or grooming does not comply with College expectations will be issued with a chronicle entry on Compass, which will accumulate and result in a consequence which may include after school detentions.
  
  
• In cases of students who continually fail to comply with uniform and/or grooming expectations and who need to complete multiple detentions, correspondence will be sent home to parents warning them of more serious consequences for any further uniform or grooming infringements which may include suspension from the College.
  
  
• Students who continue to choose not to comply after this correspondence and the action described will be making a choice not to be part of the College community.

In all cases involving piercings, the following process will apply:

• If a student arrives at school with a visible facial or body piercing, the parents of the student will be notified by phone immediately of the nature of the problem and the student will be sent home or withdrawn from classes immediately.
  
  
• If the student returns to the College with the piercing after this communication, the parents will be notified immediately and the student will be withdrawn from classes until an interview can be organised with the Principal.

Note: All items of school uniform, including the school bag, are readily available from the School Uniform Shop with the exception of jackets, blazers and tracksuits, which need to be ordered. Opening hours will be advised in the fortnightly school newsletter.

Families may apply for an exemption to parts of this policy for legitimate religious reasons. An application for exemption must be forwarded to the College Principal in writing. These applications may be granted at the discretion of the College Principal.