SIS

Y12 + Y13

Dress Code

This dress code was created as part of a student led initiative by the Diversity Council and launched in 2021. The code was created with input from all stakeholders (Staff/Students /Parents)

Goals for the Dress Code

1. Create a dress code that is gender neutral and inclusive of all body types
2. Based on student, teacher and parent feedback
3. Make implementation consistent
4. Create a dress code that is easily and comfortably implemented
5. Ensure that all students are willing to comply with the rules and understand the rationale behind the dress code
6. Ensure that this is sustainable for the upcoming years

Upper School Dress code

DOs:

1. Dress safely for school: this includes for your subjects and for mobility
2. Dress appropriately for school
3. Dress as a role model to the younger years
4. Dress comfortably: wear something you feel confident in and can spend a day learning
5. Wear something that reflects your identity within these guidelines.
6. SIS prides itself in ‘embracing international and intercultural diversity’ so the dress code should reflect these values. �

DON’T:

• Wear clothing with obscene imagery, offensive or inappropriate phrases.
• Wear shoes that are open-toe or not sturdy and non-slip. (Safety and mobility)
• Wear transparent clothing.
• Wear strapless tops (safety and mobility)

These images provide guidelines of clothing which follows the dress code

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For health and safety reasons some subjects might not permit the wearing of nail varnish and teachers may request for certain jewellery to be removed during lessons.

NB:

Clothes should meet in the middle and cover the torso as shown in the images above.

Hairstyles and makeup should follow the spirit of the dress code which encourages students to be role models and ambassadors for the school.

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IMPLEMENTATION

Make it a constructive conversation → normalising and creating open culture

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• If a student is violating the dress code, the tutor will have a follow up conversation with the student.
• Members of LT will speak to students who arrive at school not following the dress code. The follow up conversation will be the tutor.
• If a tutor feels a student's outfit does not follow the guidelines, they may have a short conversation about it privately.
• The conversation should be a friendly and supportive discussion and not a confrontation.
• Tutors will be provided with a script to ensure the conversation is supportive.
• If a tutor feels uncomfortable addressing a student, they can refer the student to Ms Sharman (Head of Post-Secondary Engagement).
• If a student persistently breaks the dress code the tutor will email parents and log this concern on our school system. Consequences may also be issued.
• If the issue persists, after the tutor intervention, the tutor should inform the Head of House for a further conversation with the student. Consequences may be issued.
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IMPLEMENTATION

Make it a constructive conversation → normalising and creating open culture

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When having a conversation about the dress code it is essential that students should not be shamed. “Shaming” includes, but is not limited to:

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○ kneeling or bending over to check attire fit;

○ measuring straps or length;

○ calling out students in spaces, in hallways, or in classrooms about perceived dress code violations in front of others;

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Language to be avoided

• Anything pointing out any body parts or the amount of skin showing (i.e. Revealing, distracting)
• Using personal pronouns and ‘I’ as the subject → don’t make it personal
• Don’t mention any gender-specific terms

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The following slides provide a script for tutors to guide a discussion about the dress code.

IMPLEMENTATION

Don’t- Wear shoes that are open-toe or not sturdy and non-slip.

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At South Island we want to ensure our students stay safe, especially on the stairs and in the hallways. Therefore wearing shoes that do not cover your toes may endanger not only your safety but the students and staff around you.

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Do you understand why this isn’t allowed and should not be worn at school?

• If yes, then end conversation in agreement (main goal)
• If the student and tutor are unable to come to an agreement, they can refer to Ms Sharman (Head of Post-Secondary Engagement) for final support�

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IMPLEMENTATION

Don’t- Wear clothing with obscene imagery or inappropriate phrases (keep it PG & respect diversity values)

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At South Island we respect diversity and everyone’s personal views, however, clothing that contains phrases or alludes to discriminatory ideas e.g racism, homophobia, ableism, xenophobia etc does not align with this.

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Do you understand why this isn’t allowed and should not be worn at school?

• If yes, then end conversation in agreement (main goal)
• If the student and tutor are unable to come to an agreement, they can refer to Ms Sharman for final support�

IMPLEMENTATION

Don’t- Wear strapless tops

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Clothing that does not have straps will interfere with the mobility of students and may interfere with students’ ability to have a comfortable day learning and moving around the school.

Do you understand why this isn’t allowed and should not be worn at school?

• If yes, then end conversation in agreement (main goal)
• If the student and tutor are unable to come to an agreement, they can refer to Ms Sharman for final support�