Waiouru uniforms a hit in Army town

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 372, 5 February 1991, Page 7

Waiouru uniforms a hit in Army town

Waiouru's new School uniform was introduced last week, with many children quickly accepting their new attire. The uniform has many options, with track suit pants, corduroy trousers, shorts, skirts,

polo shirts, and sweatshirts, mostly in Ruapehu College colours, but with different coloured shirts available. Later batches of the uniform will show the school emblem. School Board of

Trustees Mjr Luff said the Board hopes to encourage as many parents as possible to buy the uniform for their children. He said it would not be compulsory for the first two terms, to give parents and children time to adapt. It will be compulsory from the third term. "But before then we want to encourage children to wear it out of pride for their school." He said the uniform was designed as a flexible unit, with "mix and match" components to _ suit parents, children, and the weather. The decision to go for the uniform came after a survey conducted by the school, which showed parents "85 to 90 per cent in favour" said Mjr Luff. He said many parents were pleased with the uniform and especially its price. "Many are staggered at the price, with two uniforms cheaper than one pair of jeans," he said. Mjr Luff said one of the spurs towards the

decision was the "fashion parade syndrome" especially among the senior girls. "When soldiers and their families were remmmmm. m - ■■ ■ ^ c

turning from Singapore many of the children were dressed in the latest designer gear, which started a cycle." He said many parents were sick

and tired of appeasing their children's demands for the latest gear. An added advantage for Army families is that when the soldier is

transferred to another unit the cost of replacing the uniform with that of the new school was refunded by the Army.