Schooling Central

I would love to hear what other people's kids wear for winter uniform at state schools. At our school the kids all wear tracksuits. The boys mostly wear tracky pants with elastic cuffs at the ankle, although straight leg pants are now available. The girls have bootleg pants (but can wear the boys pants if they like). I feel really sorry for the older kids especially having to wear tracksuits to school every day. The uniforms are supposed to give the kids pride in their school and their appearance -I know that I would struggle to find pride in my appearance if I had to wear a tracksuit to work every day!

Are there inexpensive alternatives? Surely some cotton pants wouldn't cost too much more than the tracksuit pants (which I think cost nearly $20 a pair). Does anybody know of a state school which has these as an option?

Annabel.

It's been a while since I logged in here

Our (state) school has a wide choice of uniform options, which, so far are proving to be a really versatile way of doing things. You can see a bit from the pic here:

The boys have the option of navy shorts or drill pants (depending on summer or winter) and either a short sleeve or long sleeve polo shirt with or without logo, plus either a rugby jumper, polar fleece jacket or polar fleece vest or a windcheater type jumper.
The girls have the choice or a dress, shorts or bootleg pants and all the same options as the boys on the top. They are also permitted to wear a white long sleeved thermal undies type top under t shirts if they *have* to

I've been really happy with how I can mix and match Jack depending on the weather, I've especially found the vest a great investment (pardon the pun ) because it can be worn over the long sleeved polo or short sleeved one. I guess it could be owrn over the rugby jumper or windcheater too, but I haven't bothered buying those yet.

Oh and of course there's the obligatory hat as well

I know when I went to a private girls school in HS, I hated my uniform, and they have since had a complete revamp, so I can see what you mean about wanting to feel some pride in what you have to wear each day, I know I would have enjoyed wearing this new uniform they have much more.

Jo the uniform at Jack's school looks great. I love the sound of the rugby jumper. The uniform at ds's school has a lot of similar options -last year the polar fleece vests were introduced which seem very versatile (ds won't wear one), and the girls have a gorgeous new summer dress. It's the tracksuit pants for the boys that annoy me the most. I wonder why they don't offer the drill pants? I must ask the woman who looks after the uniform shop (and does a fabulous job). I just wanted to check if other schools offered them first.

Annabel.