Māruawai College principal Mel Hamilton said the new uniform will be a fresh look for the school.
‘‘All of our new year 7s, our new year 9s, and our new year 11s will be in the new uniform.
‘‘The other year groups are a phase out,’’ she said.
Mrs Hamilton said it would increase upfront costs because of a lack of second-hand and siblings’ recycled uniforms.
‘‘We recognised there would be an initial cost for parents.
‘‘We’ve been pretty deliberate though, it’s a lot of items of uniform across both campuses and we’ve rationalised it.
‘‘This includes streamlining skirts for different seasons into one universal skirt, and a new shirt for senior students.’’
Mrs Hamilton said the new uniform had been a work in progress between the uniform supplier and the Māruawai parents and children.
‘‘We’ve consulted with the community at the end of last year as to what they wanted and what their preferences were.
‘‘We got a huge response, and so we worked with New Zealand Uniforms to make that a reality.’’
Mrs Hamilton said as well, students at Māruawai would have something extra to take the bite out of winter.
‘‘The board decided to fund a puffer jacket for every year 7 to 11 child.
‘‘A nice navy puffer,’’ she said.
Mrs Hamilton said the new jackets were a welcome addition, as the climate in the South can be temperamental at best.
‘‘For students, it will provide warmth, and we also branded them subtly so kids could wear it over the weekend without them looking like a school uniform.
‘‘It’s to be worn in the winter, but it is Southland, so the summer months also,’’ she said.
Around 350 children will be fitted with the puffer jackets, with each item retailing at around $130.
Mrs Hamilton said the uniform change would help students from both Māruawai campuses to feel like one cohesive unit.
‘‘We’re all in the same kit, especially over the two campuses, instead of feeling like two different schools,’’ she said.
Mrs Hamilton said the community had been enthusiastic about the new kit.
‘‘We had a family evening last Wednesday where they got to try them on, and if that was anything to go by, there will be a 100% take-up,’’ she said.
