Introduction

Our school uniform provides a smart, distinctive and functional way of identifying members of our school community. It assists in the development of ‘Respect for Self’ by specific attention to dress and creates a sense of connectedness to Balwyn High School. Our uniform also provides immediate identification of unauthorised persons in the school buildings and grounds which ensures a safe and secure environment for our students and staff.

Balwyn High School has a strong culture of school uniform which is endorsed by the School Council. Belonging to Balwyn High School has many advantages and benefits, and for students and parents it also brings the responsibility of being fully committed to the student wearing the full school uniform correctly and with pride ‘all day every day’. Please read the uniform information and familiarise yourself with the requirements of both the summer uniform and the winter uniform.

Purchase of Uniform – New

The school’s preferred uniform supplier is Bob Stewart of Kew bobstewart.com.au (201-207 High Street, Kew). Bob Stewart donates a percentage of uniform sales to the Balwyn High School Aim High Building Appeal and sponsors school activities. Scarves and sports caps are available from the school’s General Office.

The sale of Second-Hand Uniform Shop has been operating since 2000. In this time it has continued to expand its turnover and is a valuable resource for the school community. It is one of the major sources of income for the Chaplaincy Program at Balwyn High School.

Purchase of Uniform – Second-hand

The sale of Second-Hand Uniform Shop has been operating since 2000. In this time it has continued to expand its turnover and is a valuable resource for the school community. It is one of the major sources of income for the Chaplaincy Program at Balwyn High School.

General Appearance

While at school, travelling to or from school or participating in school activities, Balwyn High School students must comply with the following: Note – A uniform pass will not excuse students from wearing a complete school uniform on excursions, including sport.

1. Shirts are tucked in at all times, unless the BHS tailored shirt is being worn in Terms 1 and 4.
2. Blazers are worn as outer garments by all students on all school occasions, to and from school and at general assemblies, and on all school excursions unless otherwise stated. Year 12 students may wear their navy blue Year 12 jumper as an outer garment only in Term 1 and Term 4 with blazers being worn as the outer garment during Term 2 and Term 3. Once issued, the Year 12 Commemorative Garment may be worn as the outer garment to and from school and on school grounds.
3. A watch may be worn, and no other jewellery is to be visible. However, if ears are pierced, two plain small sleepers or small studs may be worn in each ear. A ring, sleeper or stud may not be worn on any other part of the face. VCAA and BHS reserve the right to determine the appropriate wearing of Smart Watches in line with Assessments and DET’s Mobile Phone Policy.
4. There are to be no visible tattoos.
5. All articles of clothing, including shoes, must be clearly named.
6. ‘Cross trainers’ are to be worn in PE and Sport classes and may be worn in the yard at recess and lunchtime for the purpose of playing games, but they are not acceptable as a replacement for school shoes at other times. School shoes must have flat heels (see description below). See Physical Education Uniform for more information.
7. ‘Out-of-uniform’ days are sometimes held in order to raise money for social service. On such occasions, neat casual dress and neat safe footwear is permitted. The Principal reserves the right to decide what is permissible.
8. The school is very well heated and regulation school uniform should be adequate for warmth in winter.
9. Skirts/dresses/shorts must be worn no more than 5 cm above the knee. The waistband of the skirt/dress must not be folded up. Images of skirts/dresses/shorts being worn displaying the correct length will be distributed with this Uniform Policy to avoid confusion and to ensure compliance with this expectation.
10. Facial cosmetics may be worn discreetly and should not be noticeable. No false eyelashes, eye shadow or coloured lipstick is permitted. Only clear/neutral nail polish can be worn. False or acrylic nails are not permitted. The Principal reserves the right to decide on the appropriateness of the wearing of these items.
11. Students must be clean shaven. The Principal (or delegate) reserves the right to decide what is permissible.
12. Students who do not meet the school’s Uniform Policy/appearance will not be permitted to participate in out-of-school activities or in those activities where visitors come to the school.
13. If the full PE uniform cannot be worn to school, the full school uniform must be worn. The school track pants, winter PE vest, rugby top, spray jacket or polar fleece jacket and winter PE polar fleece are the only approved over-garments for physical education or sport.
14. It is highly recommended that the BHS backpack/trolley is used.

Uniform

The school uniform requirements are outlined below:

PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORM

BHS sport polo, sport shorts, rugby top, spray jacket, polar fleece, track pants, sports cap (summer), BHS sport socks (or plain white). The PE uniform is to be worn to school on PE/Sport/Sport competition days. The PE uniform must not be worn on any non-PE/Sport days. Students must wear sport uniform to all timetabled PE and Sport classes, and interschool sport.

HAIR AND SUN SAFETY

If hair is long, it may be required to be tied back in certain classes for safety reasons and also health reasons. Hair styles must not be extreme and colours must be natural. The Principal reserves the right to decide what is permissible.

As a secondary school, students are expected to take responsibility for being sun-smart by wearing a school cap during outdoor activities or staying in the shade, if they are not wearing sunscreen, particularly during Terms 1 and 4. Caps are not to be worn inside. Students are permitted to wear sunglasses during outdoor activities. Sunglasses should be close-fitting, wrap-around that meet the Australian Standards 1067 and cover as much of the eye area as possible.