Student Uniform
St Joseph's School requires our students to wear a school uniform. This policy and the associated uniform rules are a 
school bylaw. The board consults with the school community when updating this policy and making or amending uniform rules.
A school rule made by the school board is a bylaw. Under the Education and Training Act 2020 (s 126), boards are required to consult with staff, students (as appropriate), and the school community when making or amending rules/bylaws, if the rule is:
- made by the board, principal, or other staff member with delegated authority from the board and
- enforced with full compliance in the school, with disciplinary and/or negative consequences for breaching this rule.
School rules that relate to the legal rights of students also require consultation.
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Making and amending school rules (bylaws) 
Our uniform rules outline what students can and cannot wear at school and while representing the school. These rules are made clear to students and their parents/caregivers at enrolment. We follow school processes for managing breaches of uniform rules, which may include contacting parents/caregivers and involving senior staff. If uniform breaches are due to financial hardship, our school works with parents/caregivers to find a solution.
Students may be reminded about appropriate dress expectations for the school learning environment before non-uniform days.
Students must behave appropriately while in uniform (e.g. at school, at events representing the school, and travelling to and from school).
The board may review our uniform rules when issues arise, and/or as part of the review of this Student Uniform policy. When reviewing our uniform, we consult with the school community and consider student wellbeing (including sun protection), affordability, our inclusive education policy, and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission uniform guidelines.
The school uniform guidelines published by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission provide non-binding guidance on school uniform policies from a Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights lens.
The guidelines provide information about how uniform rules and expectations can meet the legislative requirements of the:
- Tiriti o Waitangi (articles 2, 3, and 4, and working in partnership with mana whenua, ākonga Māori, and their whānau, hapū, and iwi)
- Human Rights Act 1993
- New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
- Education and Training Act 2020 (s.126, 127, and 133).
Upholding Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, preventing discrimination, recognising New Zealand's cultural diversity, and giving effect to the human rights of students are key considerations.
Human Rights Commission | Te Kāhui Tika Tangata: School uniform guidelines 
See our uniform information .
Related topics
Legislation
- Education and Training Act 2020
- Human Rights Act 1993
- New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989
Resources
: Term 2 2023, Term 4 2022
The release history is a record of changes made to a SchoolDocs Core topic as the result of an internal or scheduled review. The date indicates when a change was made. If you have a customised topic, it may not have received the updates described. Release history links are kept for five years, then archived.
