Uniform change for OLMC Parramatta
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta’s conspicuous “Mintie wrapper” uniform has been shed for a navy ensemble brought in to celebrate its 130th birthday.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta’s conspicuous “Mintie wrapper” uniform has been shed for a navy ensemble brought in to celebrate its 130th birthday.
After 24 years, the green and red vertical-striped uniform synonymous with the history-steeped school — and the lolly package — has been replaced with blue dresses for juniors and a navy skirt and white shirt for seniors.
The change has not generated the same polarising comments as the green and white kit’s introduction in 1995 when the public dubbed it the Mintie uniform.
Sister Ailsa Mackinnon was the principal when the uniform was brought in.
“Everybody hates the uniform you wear so there was a movement within the school at that time,’’ she said.
“That brown uniform had been there for 40 years and it was a style of uniform that was really outdated. We always have this desire for change among students.”
In came the “Mintie” dress, which Sr Mackinnon points out was pimento, not red.
The new Claudia Giardina-designed uniform is compulsory for the school’s 200 Year 7 students and Year 10 girls starting their senior years but will be phased in over two years for the school’s 1050 pupils.
A 10-person committee comprising students, teachers and parents began discussions for the uniform in late 2017 and had it all sewn up last October ready for the start of the new school year three weeks ago.
“People had the opportunity to express their opinions but fairly quickly the group came to the consensus on moving forward so it wasn’t a difficult process,’’ Principal Stephen Walsh said.
Blue was chosen in keeping tradition with the Sisters of Mercy and reverts to the summer uniform’s shade pre 1995 (when the winter uniform was brown and beige).
In winter, the tartan skirt will be replaced with a navy skirt.
Year 9 student Mikayla Simpson opted to buy the new threads despite it not being compulsory for her grade.
“I wanted to be part of the new image of the school and I wanted to be part of the new era,’’ she said.
“I love it. I like the blue, I’m very comfortable.”
After seeing her older sister go to the school wearing the vertical green and white striped uniform, Year 7 student Nikita Verghese has welcomed the new garb.
“I was kind of excited because I didn’t have to be the same person as my sister,’’ she said.
Year 10s Carolina Tou is also singing the blues.
“I like this one a bit more because the old uniform was really tight; this one’s more free and flowing.”
The school’s pastoral care director Anne-Maree Donnelly admits the bow pinned to the previous uniform’s collar reminded her of confectionary package.
“When I got here (in 2008), and I’m an older person, I remembered the Darrell Lea bar,’’ she said.
“I thought it was a number of us who though the uniform needed a refresh in terms of contemporary style ... and the Sisters of Mercy also wore blue.”
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