It has been a delightful start to 2020! The students have settled back into school routine and it has been terrific to see everyone enjoying being at school.

Uniform

As part of our Establishment Phase to set the routines and systems within each class, we will be looking at our school uniform.

At Bethany Christian School, we value students and learning. To ensure our school maintains a high standard of respect and value for others, self, and learning, and a culture of attitude of excellence, the school has a set uniform. The uniform is designed to support student needs and learning while demonstrating respect, building character while inspiring greatness across the school and the wider community. It is our belief that;

• School uniforms create equality. When students have dressed alike, that unhealthy competitive feeling about who looks best is eliminated. Studies have shown that school uniforms decrease peer pressure and bullying. This is because students are all wearing the same outfit. It doesn’t matter if they come from high- or low-income homes. No one stands out in the type of clothing they are wearing.
• School uniforms promote learning. It is so much easier to concentrate and focus on important things in the classroom. Students don’t need to look around and see who is fashionable and who is not. They don’t have fun and catchy clothes to comment on and look at. One less distraction from their learning.
• School uniforms instil school pride and unity. When wearing uniforms, students often feel more “important” since they belong to a group. Uniforms give a sense of belonging, and a code of conduct is imposed on the student. Uniforms foster community spirit. When students wear uniforms, they feel more professional and behave accordingly.
• School uniforms make it easier to get ready for school. No more worrying about what to wear! Students can quickly put on their uniforms and get to school on time. Time can be better utilized for other activities rather than choosing out what outfit will look best. One of the best reasons for school uniforms? No more arguing about what to wear in the morning!
• School uniforms tend to help students be more diligent. They tend to be better behaved, better students and a school uniform provides students feelings of trust and belonging.
• School uniforms provide a sense of identity and community. It is said that when the entire student body is dressed in uniforms, they have a strong team mentality.
• School uniforms create economics for their parents. At the beginning of the school year, you are only purchasing school uniforms. Uniforms are sturdy and designed to stand up to repeated washings. Parents find that they only need to buy a new set of school uniforms which saves money on trying to purchase the latest trends and fashions.

Hair styles

Hair styles are very much a part of our uniform. For girls, hair must be neat and tidy. If their hair is longer than shoulder length it must be completely tied up. Hair ties must match the uniform, so on PE days, red, white or black ribbons and hair accessories are acceptable. On non-PE days, white and blue are acceptable. Hair colouring is permissible, however the colour/streaks must be of a natural hair colour (not a drastic contrast to their original colour).

For boys, the hair must be neat and tidy. Hair length is not to be below the top of the collar or shorter than a number 2. The hair style cannot have shaved designs/patterns into the hair, and no disconnections (undercuts). Hair colouring is permissible, however the colour/streaks must be of a natural hair colour (not a drastic contrast to their original colour).

• No disconnections/undercuts
• No shaved designs
• If a boy’s hair is so long it needs to be tied back, it’s too long.
• Hair must be tied back if longer than the collar.

Celebrate school holidays with different hair styles! Save the decorative, highly coloured and long hair for long school holidays so that it has a chance to get back to school approved hair by the time you return to school!

Jewellery

All students may wear one plain analogue or digital wristwatch.

Girls may wear one single pair of plain stud or sleeper earrings, but may not wear any make up or nail polish, or false/acrylic nails. No other jewellery is acceptable (ie. Necklaces, bracelets, rings etc.).

Boys are not to wear any jewellery, including earrings.

If your son or daughter has multiple piercings and you do not wish the piercings to close over due to not wearing their earrings, we are happy for them to wear spacers of the same size as a stud to maintain the piercing. 

Jewellery poses too much risk of loss, damage, theft and even injury when playing. Keep the precious items at home and wear when you are not at school.

For all the Uniform requirements, please refer to the Student Diary on pages 13-15. 

Thank you for helping us by supporting our uniform policy. 

I wish you and your families a fantastic week!

God bless you,

Deb Clifford
Deputy Principal

If you would like to help us in achieving our goal we will be collecting bottles and cans at Bethany this term. There will be a grey bin outside the administration area near the JP playground exit. If you have cans and bottles that you aren’t going to recycle, please bring them to school and place them in this bin! All of the money raised will go directly to building the first western toilet in small village in Homer Bay County, Kenya!