The New Zealand School Trustees Association congratulates parents and caregivers who get behind school boards by helping
them enforce school rules.
And it reminds parents and students that it is their responsibility to check out the school rules when they enrol, not
defy them once they are a member of that school community.
President Chris France says the association supports the decision of boards in recent incidents when students were told
they must abide by the board’s rules relating to school uniform, including body-piercing and hair colour.
Chris France says school boards have to set sensible standards and it is important parents support schools rather than
work against them.
“Anyone enrolling their child in a school should make it a priority to read over the rules of that school. These rules
are created by the board on behalf of the local community.”
Chris France says while teenagers are always going to try and push boundaries, it is important boards continue to set
limits on what is acceptable and what isn’t.
“We can’t have a free for all with every student deciding what standard suits them. Schools would end up with students
with every hair colour imaginable, or a sea of interpretations on the school uniform or what is acceptable for school
dress.”
He says boards are faced with a difficult task in setting standards. However, on the whole they simply reflect what is
expected by the community.
“If there is any concern that a rule isn’t reflecting what the school community wants, then there are ways to address
it. But to simply choose to ignore the school’s standards and allow your child to got to school knowing they are
breaking a rule won’t achieve anything.
“Schools make it perfectly clear that they have rules and these are available to anyone who asks. When you enrol at that
school you are saying you are aware they exist, and you are willing to adhere to them.”
[ends]