Waiouru board to rethink school uniform policy

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 615, 5 December 1995, Page 2

Waiouru board to rethink school uniform policy

Waiouru Primary School parents up in arms at the prospect of their children being punished for not wearing school uniform, can expect an 'about turn' in board of trustee policy. "Maybe we did blow it this time, but let's tidy it up," board of trustees chairman Wehi Walker said last week. Two weeks ago parents were informed through a newsletter from the board, that children not conforming to the compulsory school uniform policy would be punished by usingthe 'RightChoices' pro-

gramme. A programme that has been successful in curbing unwanted behaviour, but thought by many parents to be a harsh method of enforcing the wearing of school uniforms. Mr Walker said he would put it to the board of trustees at a meeting (scheduled for last night), that punishing children for being out of uniform is inappropriate. "By adding 'right choices' we made a mistake," Mr Walker said. School principal Tauri Morgan said he had no wish to abuse the Right Choices programme, but understood the board' s desire to increase school pride through the wearing of a school uniform. Mr Morgan said the board had discussed the school uniform issue, but when the board newsletter came out it read the wrong way . When asked why the board wasn' t concentrating on more important issues such as the wearing of sun hats, Mr Morgan showed the Bulletin a selection of hats parents will be asked to comment on. The hats are expected to cost around $4 to $5 with the school monogram added costing an ex-

tra $1.50. The hats will be on display at the school' s main prize giving this Friday. Mr Morgan said he would also like to let parents know that he is quite keen to expand the secondhand section of school uniform saies and introduce larger sizes. Second hand saies were only introduced this term.