Cheltenham Secondary College in Melbourne’s bayside has faced criticism within its community for incorporating the Aboriginal and pride flags into its new puffer jacket as a permanent feature of the uniform. Concerned parents expressed disappointment at the lack of consultation regarding the design, viewing it as an unnecessary political statement.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, described the move as mere “virtue signaling” within the school environment. She stated, “It’s a school, not a platform for political statements. Let the kids focus on being kids.” Despite initial interest in purchasing the jacket for her son, she changed her mind after he and his friends refused to wear it.
Gail McHardy, the CEO of Parents Victoria, stressed the importance of inclusivity while acknowledging that there would be parents who supported the design. The school defended its decision, stating that the puffer jacket was an optional addition, created in response to feedback from parents and students obtained through a uniform survey conducted the previous year.
Priced at $89.95, the jacket also features the school motto: “Respect, responsibility, personal best, community.” The school clarified on Facebook that the puffer jacket was not intended to replace the school’s windcheater, which does not bear the flags and remains part of the college uniform.
A spokesperson from the Department of Education reiterated that school uniform policies are determined by school councils and confirmed that the jacket was not compulsory. Despite the controversy, the college emphasized its pride in being a “safe and welcoming” school.
However, some parents continue to advocate for more open discussions regarding uniform design changes to prevent further discord within the community. It remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved.
Cheltenham Secondary College is located in the bayside area of Melbourne and has recently stirred controversy with its latest uniform addition. The school’s puffer jacket now incorporates the Aboriginal and pride flags as a permanent feature. This move has prompted some parents to express disappointment at the lack of consultation, arguing that it is an unnecessary political statement.
One parent, who did not want to be named, criticized the school for engaging in “virtue signaling” within the educational environment. She believes that schools should focus on providing a conducive environment for students to learn and grow, without making political statements. Her son and his friends refused to wear the jacket, leading her to change her mind about purchasing it.
On the other hand, Gail McHardy, the CEO of Parents Victoria, emphasized the importance of inclusivity and acknowledged that some parents may support the design. The school defended its decision by stating that the puffer jacket was an optional addition, based on feedback received from parents and students through a uniform survey conducted the previous year. Priced at $89.95, the jacket also features the school motto: Respect, responsibility, personal best, community.
In response to the criticism on Facebook, Cheltenham Secondary College clarified that the puffer jacket was not meant to replace the existing windcheater, which does not bear any flags and remains part of the college uniform. The Department of Education reiterated that school uniform policies are determined by school councils and emphasized that the jacket is not compulsory.
Despite the controversy, the college takes pride in being a “safe and welcoming” school. However, some parents believe that there should be more open discussions regarding changes in uniform design to avoid discord within the community. The resolution of this issue remains uncertain as both sides continue to voice their opinions.
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