At SMCOC, we work hard to ensure we provide an environment for our students through which they are encouraged to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. An integral part of this life is how they present themselves to the world. This is why their appearance should represent how they live under His Lordship.

Accordingly, our Uniform Policy and requirements aim to achieve the following:

·  Appearance of students reflects positively upon our Coptic Orthodox College and what its Christian Mission and

Values embody.

·  Appearance of students reflects the value of our students as individuals created in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.

·  Appearance of students reflects the attitudes of their hearts, which are filled with the Lord’s love and modesty.

This means that students must dress in a way that does not draw undue attention to themselves or to any part of their bodies by means of extraordinary measures of dress, haircuts, jewellery or markings on the body.

This is based on our belief that our SMCOC’s students should display Christ-like attributes and behaviours.

In addition, there are numerous educational benefits of wearing a unified uniform, which:

• creates an identity for the students,
• enhances the College’s image, as well as and the student’s pride in their College,
• is a good display of a positive College environment,
• supports a positive representation of the College in inter-school activities,
• allows the wider community to identify our students,
• protects families from spending fortunes on clothing, fashion competitiveness and superficial individual

differences,

• supports teaching students respect for parental and teacher authority,
• supports a sense pf belonging,
• supports the focus to be on learning and not on worrying and selecting what to wear every day,
• helps students to learn how to take pride in the way they represent themselves,
• encourages an attitude of pursuit of excellence,
• maximises chances for learning because it gives the opportunity to minimise distraction for students and facilitate a more serious learning environment,
• gives students a chance to not to worry about peer pressure, clothes-wise, as everyone is dressed in the same attires,
• which eliminates pressures and competitions about being dressed in the latest trends, and
• leaves no place for any bullying related to appearance.

This is why All SMCOC’S students are required to wear the approved College uniform and comply with the Uniform Policy.

Only approved logos shall appear on uniform items, other than in the case of sports shoes.

As a reminder please note the following items are compulsory SMCOC’s uniform items:

• SMCOC school bag for all year levels.

• SMCOC school tie

• SMCOC blazer, which now comes in a lighter fabric, is compulsory for students in Years 7 to 12.

• SMCOC Head Scarf

• SMCOC Scarf

• SMCOC Hat or Cap

Please also ensure:

• Boys attend College with the correct haircut (all cut to same length).

• Neat and clean presentation of uniform every day.

• PE jackets and all sport clothing items ONLY to be worn on sport days.

• Summer uniform shall be worn in Terms 1 and 4.

• Winter uniform shall be worn in Terms 2 and 3.

• For winter uniform, girls are required to wear, tunics (Primary School) and woollen skirts or SMCOC pants (Middle School and Senior School).

• For summer uniform, girls are required to wear, summer dress (Primary School, Middle School and Senior School) or SMCOC short sleeve shirt and SMCOC pants and woollen skirts or SMCOC pants (Middle School and Senior School).

• At the commencement of Terms 2 and 4, there shall be a three-week change over period during which either uniform may be worn depending upon weather conditions.

• Correct summer or winter uniform as appropriate for the school term, and/or as stipulated by staff members, must be worn by students representing the College at official events and by all students for College photographs.

Please note that all uniform items need to be the correct SMCOC items. Wearing black pants other than SMCOC’s ones is not the correct uniform and it will not be accepted. Wearing hoodies under PE shirt or runners instead of formal black shoes are not the correct uniform and it will not be accepted.

Download a copy of the Uniform Policy below