Figure 1.--Pictures of the boys show a school which places considerable importance on the uniform.

The school gaberine raincoat was compulsory between the declaration of winter and the declaration of summer (then only necessary on days of inclement weather). About 1994, the Crombie overcoat became an officially recognised alternative despite being the uniform of another 'organisation' at that time. This was as a result of advice by the "School Council".

The headmaster in 1977 sent a letter hom stressin the need to wear the school uniform, including the rain coat.

Allow me now to mention another matter- which I rarely need to mention, so unanimous is the co-operation and understanding of our parents. Unless I am greatly mistaken, we are all agreed that this is a uniform-wearing school, and I think it would lose some at least of its attraction for most of you if it ceased to be such a school. Indeed, I have never met any parent or student who would object in general to the school uniform: the only difficulty we ever have is with certain individuals who, no doubt, thoughtlessly, and with many other problems to solve, demand some concessions, some change in the uniform, for their own immediate convenience, which they would not demand for everyone else. I am thinking particularly and in this cold weather you may think it a topical thought of outdoor clothing. One observes with concern the appearance of a variety of garments which are clearly non-uniform, and I must put it to you that it would take not a majority, but only a minority of thoughtless parents to turn this school into one with virtually no uniform.

Rather than be accused of opposition to road safety, I normally refrain from comment at the outdoor garments worn by cyclists. (Luminous clothing seems defensible enough, but how a khaki anorak is more visible than a blue one is hard to understand.) It must at least be understood that all cyclists if they wish to go with their schoolfellows on any excursion for which uniform is worn, e.g. to see a Play, or a Concert, during school hours, must wear the same outdoor clothing as the others.

One observes also with surprise a perceptible increase in anoraks and parkas, particularly amongst our younger pupils. Some of us find it difficult to understand why our boys should be attracted to clothes which make them look like primary schoolchildren, at a primary school which has no uniform.

All parents who have purchased the recommended "Robert Hirst" raincoat agree that it is hard-wearing as well as attractive. Those who think it too expensive are, of course, at liberty to obtain any raincoat which will ensure that their son looks as though he attends the same school as the others, Let me remind you also that Henry Barrie supply a Navy-blue Crombie overcoat which is perfectly acceptable for school wear and which many may prefer during the winter. We omitted to mention it in the last list of school uniform, probably because the previous winter had been rather mild. (letter to parents 1977).

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Created: February 22, 2001
Last updated: February 22, 2001