Kenmore State High School students petition for return of uniform swap day
Students at a Brisbane public school upset at losing their Year 12 milestones have petitioned for the reinstatement of a uniform swap day after it was discontinued over claims it ridiculed boys who “want to wear skirts”.
Education
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Students of a prestigious Brisbane public school have petitioned for the reinstatement of a day where Year 12 boys and girls swap uniforms, saying they were “robbed” of the “innocent celebration”.
A change.org petition has been created by students of Kenmore State High School who are upset most of their Year 12 milestones have been taken away from them due to COVID-19.
The students are lobbying the school to allow them to have Uniform Swap Day, a tradition they say was taken from them because some males students were teased for wearing female clothing.
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“The Kenmore State High School Year 12 Cohort has had a crazy 2020: Experiencing a global pandemic in the most stress-filled and memorable year of school. Unfortunately, a traditional celebration that we have looked forward to all year — the Uniform Swap Day — has been taken from us,” a student wrote in the petition.
“This is not the first celebration that we’ve been robbed from in our Year 12 experience; the 100-day celebration, the mural, the last free dress day as character initials, muck up day and the official Schoolies 2020 celebration have all been taken away.”
Students say the Uniform Swap Day is an “innocent celebration”, however it has been discontinued “due to the claim that it is teasing and ridiculing boys who want to wear skirts”.
“The Year 12 Uniform Swap is not performed by students with a satirical and insensitive intention, rather it is a representation of the cohorts’ unity and friendship,” the petition continues.
The petition goes on to claim students have been told that participation in this tradition will lead to a cancellation of the school formal.
So far it has more than 500 signatures, with parents also getting on board to show their support on Facebook.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said Kenmore State High School would have a free dress day in 2020, but didn’t comment on whether Uniform Swap Day would return.
“The school has put together an engaging program for students to acknowledge the conclusion of their formal schooling, which allows them to stay firmly focused on their exam preparation,” the statement reads.
“The program includes a senior formal, a full day at a theme park and a special Valedictory celebration, a dedicated parade, and a BBQ organised by their teachers to say their farewells.
“The school is proud of its Year 12 students and continues to focus on supporting students to succeed in their new external exams followed by opportunities to reflect and celebrate. As the students have always demonstrated, the school expects the highest standards of behaviour up until the last day of school.”
The spokeswoman went on to say any parents with concerns should contact the school directly.