Puffer jackets banned from high school

Puffer jackets are not part of the Motueka College uniform. Photo: NZME.
Puffer jackets are not part of the Motueka College uniform. Photo: NZME.
The South Island school principal behind a controversial ban on puffer jackets has been backed by his principals' association, who say uniform policies can't be changed "at the whim of kids' fashion".

Motueka High School pupil and Students Council member Jennifer Guthrie (15) is campaigning against the ban on the cosy down-stuffed coat.

The Year 11 pupil claims that the "expensive and poorly made" uniform-sanctioned jackets do not keep students warm, and complains the classrooms are cold during the day. Winter temperatures for Motueka, at the top of the South Island, are regularly in the low single digits.

Miss Guthrie launched a campaign that included a petition to try to reverse the school's stance. "Puffer jackets are far more superior when it comes to value for your money and providing warmth," she wrote on the change.org petition to its board of trustees.

She said many fellow pupils have asked her to raise the issue with the school. But when she tried to do so, she said she was "shot down". 

Motueka High principal Scott Haines says neither the school nor the board were aware of any complaints about the puffer jacket ban and the uniform policy was devised only after widespread consultation with pupils and parents.

Miss Guthrie said she was surprised that the school and board was not aware students were unhappy and claimed to have been told by a teacher her action would make no difference "as uniform changes are ultimately decided by the board of trustees and that they had already said no to my efforts".

"It is impossible for the school to have been unaware of any complaints because students have been demanding answers as to why they are not allowed to wear their puffer jackets, as staff confiscated them.'' 

Staff were also aware that students are cold in class, Miss Guthrie said, claiming some students bring hot water bottles to school.

Puffer jackets are also not permitted at Hamilton Girls' High or Massey High. 

The issue has sparked widespread debate on social media and public forums today. 

Fashion issue only, says principal

Denise Torrey, president of the New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF), said it was an issue that Motueka pupils have themselves "amped up".

"The school did what they should've done; they consulted, developed a policy, and that's that really,'' she said.

"You can't consult on every policy every year depending on fashion changes. We can't be at the whim of kids' fashion."

If the students feel they have not been heard properly on the issue, they should raise it with the board of trustees, Ms Torrey said.

Scott Haines told Radio New Zealand this afternoon it was a "fashion issue" rather than one of warmth.

"We're of the view that this is more of a uniform and potentially a fashion issue than a heating issue," he said.

The school had surveyed current and prospective students, staff and parents on uniform choices in 2012, he told the broadcaster. It received 856 responses and the preference of jackets was addressed - with only 12% wanting items that the school did not offer.

Mr Haines said that at the time puffer jackets was the third most popular option, coming in behind hoodies and plain jackets.

"It was a very, very minor request from a very small subset of survey respondents."

There were four jacket options currently available to students, he said. Those were a Canterbury-style jacket that was lined and waterproof, a soft shell jacket that was lined and water resistant, the school uniform jersey and a Motueka High School polar fleece top.

The school had adopted the soft shell jackets in response to student feedback, he said.

The Ministry of Education said each school is responsible for its own uniform policy.

"It's not something we have a particular view on although we do think it's important schools communicate very clearly with parents what their requirements are," said Katrina Casey, head of sector enablement and support.  "That then allows parents to make informed choices when deciding which school to send their children to."

Online petition

An online petition urging  Motueka High School to let its students wear puffer jackets has almost reached its target of 500 signatures. Many who signed up to the petition commented that cold winters in Motueka had long been a problem for students.

"I'm an ex-student and I was always freezing," Faye Hudson commented on change.org yesterday.

Kendyl Drummond signed the petition last Thursday.

"I used to freeze during winter at Motueka High School ... I remember how frustrating it was wearing a puffer jacket on the walk to school and having to take it off during the school day."

It wasn't just students supporting the petition.

"As a parent whose child attended this High School, I could never understand why plain black jackets were not allowed due to the cold temperatures that we get here," wrote Shelley Jones last Friday.

- NZ Herald and NZME. 

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