Schools ask students to wear uniform while learning at home

With families turning their kitchen tables into classrooms, several Brisbane schools have told students they must wear their uniforms while learning from home.

AS families gear up for term two at home the laptops, pens and books are at the ready but there is one odd request some schools have made.

Students at some of Brisbane’s premier schools will not only have to turn the kitchen table into the classroom for homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will also have to wear their school uniform while they’re at it.

Brigidine College Year 10 student Jamie Fitzpatrick, 15, said students at the all-girls private school were given the option to wear the formal school dress or sports uniform of shorts and a shirt.

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Brigidine College student Jamie Fitzpatrick says wearing a uniform at home will not improve her learning.

“I was annoyed when they told us because they’ve always said the uniform was to make sure we’re presentable at school,” she said.

“Well now we’re not even leaving our houses let alone going to school so I don’t understand why it’s necessary.

“I wanted to just be able to wear something comfortable to sit at a computer desk all day. “Having the uniform on really just means more washing and ironing and it won’t help me learn any differently.”

Jamie said the home uniform policy would likely be monitored when students were marked on the role before each class.

“They take the roll and ask you to turn your computer camera on quickly to make sure you’re there and dressed appropriately,” she said.

“But then you don’t even have to keep your camera on, so what difference does it make what we’re wearing?” she said.

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The school’s policy COVID-19 learning from home policy on their website says “whilst online, students are required to wear Brigidine approved uniforms eg dress, sports uniform, jersey, hoodies, cocurricular shirts etc”.

A Brigidine spokeswoman said students at the College had been asked to wear their uniform each day to “demonstrate their preparedness for learning”.

“Research supports that when someone is wearing the appropriate clothing, they alter their mindset,” she said.

“We therefore endorse that Brigidine learners will have the right mindset, where they are motivated to learn, by wearing their uniform.

“The routine of wearing a uniform also unites the community, showing solidarity when togetherness and student wellbeing is a priority.”

Bayside independent school Redlands College also requested students wore their uniforms while learning from home.

Principal Andrew Johnson said the uniforms would help create a sense of normality and structure for students.

“The capacity to have consistency, routine and structure during a time of change and uncertainty, is an essential prerequisite for effective learning,” Dr Johnson said.

“As students change into their uniforms at the start of the day, they will be physically, mentally and emotionally preparing for their learning program.

“Whilst wearing their uniforms during the day, students will be able to engage appropriately when video conferencing with other students and staff.”

He said when students changed out of their uniform at the end of the day it provided a “key physical transition point to engage in exercise and relaxation after their learning”.

“Wearing the uniform will create a sense of normality, camaraderie and pride in this trying time and enable students to have a point of familiar connection when they cannot engage at school together,” Dr Johnson said.

Where Brisbane schools fall on the uniform at home policy:

Redlands College — Yes

Ipswich Grammar — No uniform required

St Peters Lutheran College — No uniform required

Ambrose Treacy College — No uniform required

Brisbane Boys’ College — No uniform required

Somerville House — Yes, uniform required

St Joseph’s Nudgee College – No uniform required

Anglican Church Grammar School — Yes, uniform required

Brigidine College — Yes, uniform required

Brisbane Boys Grammar — No uniform required

Lourdes Hill College — No uniform required

Ormiston College — Yes, uniform required

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