United by the Old School Tie
School uniforms help students to feel connected and have a sense of belonging, which is critical to self-confidence and happiness. In fact, Macquarie University researchers found that where uniform policies are enforced, students were more disciplined and listened better. Classes began on time and there were lower noise levels.
There is something quite stirring about seeing a group of young men, with their heads held high, proudly wearing their school uniform. Uniform organisation and presentation impacts each member of our community. A group of smartly dressed boys in their uniform can be undone by another among them who has not taken the same level of care with his appearance.
Mosman Prep was originally established by the Council of Shore School and the St Clement’s Parish Council in 1904. It has a very rich history extending over 119 years, and is unique as a ‘stand alone’ Independent Boys’ Primary School.
The school uniform is well-known within the community and unites our boys as members of the School.
Helping our boys to understand why wearing their uniform well, is important. It will provide a sense of intrinsic motivation and is much more powerful than giving constant reminders or issuing sanctions for poor uniform wearing.
Thinking about this topic recently made me consider, ‘Why as a student at the King’s School, I wore my uniform with pride (whether it was my school or sports uniform)?’
This week in assembly, I explained to the boys that I was proud of my school’s history and its reputation in the community. I wanted to demonstrate that pride by wearing my uniform with excellence - ‘flying my school flag high’.
I asked four boys from Prep (who had been identified by teachers as consistently wearing their uniform with excellence), to speak in Assembly and explain what motivates them to wear their uniform with excellence.
William Abraham (KB) - My uniform helps me look good and I can help my friends wear the right uniform. Mum and Dad taught me to wear my uniform with excellence. I now can put my shirt on, do up my buttons, and tuck my shirt in.
Hugo Barnes (2D) - Here are some reasons why I wear my school uniform with excellence. Firstly, I like to wear my school uniform with pride to respect my great school. Secondly, I like to dress smartly, and this uniform is very smart, and that’s why I wear my school uniform with excellence. Here’s a story for you. When I first started at Mosman Prep, I didn’t know how to tie my tie, but this is just one of the many things I learnt to do independently at Mosman Prep, and now I wear my uniform with pride.
Felix Donnan (4C) - My uniform makes me feel proud because it stands for learning and friendship, and it’s been around for 119 years. It also reminds me of my values and school spirit.
JD Nell (6H) - Originally, I wore my uniform so consistently well, so I didn’t get nagged by teachers, such as ‘tuck in your shirt and pull up your socks’. But as time went on, I reflected on what my parents said to me, ‘If you respect your belongings, people will respect you more.’ Say a teacher is walking past and says ‘nice uniform, looking good’. That makes me feel proud and happy with myself, as they didn’t have to ask me to do so. Boys it’s time to wear your uniform with pride and excellence.
I then explained to the boys that our uniform is a ‘badge of pride’, and asked them:
What message do you want to send to others about your School by the way you wear your uniform?
Do you wear your uniform in a way that demonstrates respect, responsibility, and excellence?
Will you model your love of your School, through your uniform, and remind others to do the same?
As the Mosman Prep Staff, we are committed to supporting our boys to be young men of character, to be respectful, responsible, demonstrate excellence, and gain full benefit from everything that a rich community can offer.
As always, we partner with parents in fostering intrinsic motivation in our boys, and in reminding them to take pride in their School, its heritage and reputation as a community of excellence.
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
