Bega High Year 10s banned from school formal
I am a former student at Bega High School. During my entire time at the school I never once wore a uniform. Maybe they should worry about some genuinely concerning issues, instead of children not wanting to wear their uniform that is 1. Not suited for weather in Bega, and 2. pretty ugly and uncomfortable. The staff need a wake up call on what's really wrong at Bega High - the ugly uniform is the least of their worries if they have any common sense.
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India Sparks, Cairns
As a parent of a Year 10 student I am disgusted with this decision. I would like to know, were any of these children offered financial help to purchase uniforms? In some cases I believe it was only a jumper that the child hadn't worn, but a school shirt had been. And why some students and not others?
Without wanting to throw my daughter under the bus, she doesn't always wear uniform and wasn't one of the children singled out. This decision leaves a lot to be desired. Why wasn't more emphasis put on attendance than what they were wearing?
Kerri Ballatyne, Cobargo
Dear Bega High School, When bringing up teenagers I was always under the impression that you have to pick your battles.
Well, I always thought this to mean prioritising what is most important and to me minor details in appearance were not high on the list. Is this really the most important issues you have with the Year 10 students? And is administering severe and public punishment the best you can do?
Most importantly I wonder how you are planning to proceed now in motivating the students for Year 11 and 12?
Hanni Corbett, Wallgoot
I'm writing to express my anger and disgust at the way these students and their families are being treated by the Bega education department.
Sarah McArdle, Ferntree Gully
I wonder how long the policy would last if all of the Year 10 students boycotted the formal?
John Richardson, Wallagoot
Wearing uniform is school policy - it is not difficult! Undermining authority at this level encourages breaking of rules in other areas of life. Families were given plenty of guidance on this (I am an ex-Bega High student - I would not dream of breaking rules). Respect and obey rules - rules are there for many reasons - to the benefit of students
Barbara Dietrich, Chifley, ACT
As the first school captain when Bega High School moved into the new school in 1952 I think this is a bit of bureaucratic PC and bloody-mindedness. Give over and let all students participate in the end of year formal. By the way I still have my prefect and captain BHS badges.
John (Darby) Munro, Toowoomba Queensland
These kids and parents know the school rules, if you don't have the uniform there are different places where you can get them, they were told of the infringement of not wearing it but continued to do it. I feel these kids are just bucking the system by not wearing it to be cool.
It seem these parents are willing to spend a fortune on a dress and hair appointments and probably makeup as well but can't pay for a uniform. Well this is the consequence of their actions, something kids today and parent aren't accustomed to. I support the school in their decision.
Michelle Spindler, Bega
I went to Bega High in the 80s. I am sure the proportion of rich and poor kids won't have changed much over the years. I sincerely hope Bega High is checking that their policy on excluding kids from the formal for not wearing school uniform every day is not penalising the disadvantaged and the hidden poor.
No-one wants to admit they are poor, especially when there is financial abuse or domestic violence involved. For those kids, this is just one more brick in the wall.
Rhonda Selg, Ngunnawal
