Coed school set to adopt ‘gender neutral’ uniform

A coeducational school is phasing out one colour of shirt – traditionally worn by female students – as it moves towards a “gender neutral” uniform.

The Friends’ School students with the current white and blue shirts. The school is moving towards a “gender neutral” uniform. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE white shirt traditionally reserved for female students at a private coeducational Hobart school will be phased out under a move to make the uniform gender neutral.

Over the next three years all students at The Friends’ School will move to wearing a blue formal shirt that had previously only been an option for boys.

The changes form part of the school’s Gender Equality Statement, which was ratified last year, and aims to take active steps to support and enable all within their community to be accepted for who they are.

Transforming Tasmania spokesperson Martine Delaney praised the school for committing to such an initiative.

Transforming Tasmania spokesperson Martine Delaney. Picture: CHRIS CRERAR

“It’s wonderful to think an independent school is prepared to consider this issue,” Ms Delaney said. “Congratulations to Friends’ for being prepared to lead the way and make it a bit easier for gender diverse people.

“I would be more than happy to see all schools go down this path, including the Education Department.”

Currently, all Friends’ students can wear any official school uniform item, including a white or blue shirt, regardless of whether it had been assigned to a specific gender in the past.

There have also been various cuts and fabrics of grey pants available for all students for some time, and the school blazer is the same for every student.

Friends’ director of community engagement Bill Avery said the school had committed to update its uniform to be gender neutral.

“Ultimately, we believe that students should be able to wear formal uniform items that are comfortable and allow them to be who they are,” he said.

In an email sent to parents, seen by the Mercury, the school said as stock of the white shirt sold out, it would be replaced with stock in the blue fabric.

“When all the white shirt stock is depleted the phase-out period will commence,” it said. “White formal shirts may continue to be worn and will be accepted for second-hand lodgement and sale at the school shop.”

The phasing-out period will take two to three years.

Originally published as Coed school set to adopt ‘gender neutral’ uniform