School Uniforms & Appearance
Girls’ College believes that a disciplined learning environment is the first requirement of a high performing school. The implementation of rules governing uniforms and appearance will help minimize disruptive behaviour, promote respect for oneself and others, build school spirit, and, more significantly, help to maintain high academic standards. The wearing of uniforms by students will help lessen the impact of socioeconomic, religious and cultural differences. In addition, it is a means of furthering the school’s interest in teaching hygiene, instilling discipline, and it encourages students to concentrate on learning rather than on what they are wearing. Finally, it allows for identification of visitors or intruders in the school grounds.
In addition to being required to wear school uniforms, all students are to be groomed and dressed appropriately for school and school activities. A student’s dress and/or appearance shall:
- Support, not disrupt, the learning environment
- Constitute no threat to health or safety
- Be tasteful and unable to be construed as provocative or obscene
- Reflect practices of good hygiene and cleanliness
These rules form part of the College contract.
Uniforms
Girls’ College uniforms are obtainable at Femina Garments, Belmont, Bulawayo and The Wearhouse, Jason Moyo St, Bulawayo. Alternatively, quality second hand uniforms are available at the Thrift Shop on site at the school which is open on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10:00am and 11:00am.
Please note, the Girls’ College uniform colours are very specific, chosen to reflect our logo and who we are as a College using a mixture of Girls’ College Blue, navy blue, red, Girls’ College Candy Stripe, white and Prefects blue. Please ensure that you purchase the correct style and colour uniform or you will be asked to change it.
Blazers
A Girls’ College Blue Blazers with an embroidered Girls’ College badge on the pocket must be worn by all Girls’ College students at any official school functions, when representing the school externally or when wearing school uniform in public. The school blazer is also COMPULSORY for Assembly on Friday.
Summer Uniform
Forms 1 – 4
A Girls’ College candy striped summer blouse is worn using a “wear-out” style over a knee length Girls’ College blue skirt with white ankle socks (no secret socks are allowed) and black lace-up or T-strap shoes. Form 4 students may wear skin colour stockings. If a student represents the school during external functions the summer uniform with school blazer is mandatory. No pumps, patent or gloss shoes, fancy shoes or shoes with bows will be permitted.
Lower and Upper 6th Form
A white summer blouse is worn using a “wear-out” style over a knee length Girls’ College blue skirt with white ankle socks (no secret socks are allowed) or skin colour stockings and black lace-up or T-strap shoes. Sixth form students may wear skin colour stockings. On Fridays and if a student represents the College during external functions, Lower 6 and Upper 6 students may wear skin colour stockings with black court shoes. Heels must not exceed 4cm and should not be stiletto. No pumps, patent or gloss shoes, fancy shoes or court shoes with buckles, bows or patterns will be permitted.
Prefects
Prefects wear either a blue short-sleeved shirt tucked in with a blue tie or blue blouse using a “wear out” style with a school badge embroidered on it. A Girls’ College blue knee length skirt with white ankle socks (no secret socks are allowed) or skin colour stockings and black lace-up shoes or T-strap shoes must be worn. On Fridays and if a student represents the College during external functions, Prefects may wear skin colour stockings with black court shoes. Heels must not exceed 4cm and should not be stiletto. No pumps, patent or gloss shoes fancy shoes or court shoes with buckles, bows or patterns will be permitted.
Hostel Prefects
Hostel Prefects wear a white short-sleeved shirt with a blue tie, same as the School Prefects. All other uniform regulations apply as for other Lower and Upper 6th form students.
Winter Uniform
Forms 1 – 4
A Girls’ College candy striped long sleeve shirt is worn over a knee-length Girls’ College blue skirt or navy trousers with long navy blue socks and black lace-up shoes or T-strap shoes. Navy blue tights may be worn with winter uniform (skirt or trousers). A blue school anorak may be worn as an optional extra but may not be worn during any official school function. Plain navy blue scarves may be worn and these can be purchased from the Thrift Shop. Shoe requirements are as for the Summer Uniform.
Lower and Upper 6th Form
A white long sleeve shirt is worn over a knee-length Girls’ College blue skirt or navy blue trousers with long navy blue socks and black shoes as for the summer uniform. Navy blue tights may be worn with winter uniform (skirt or trousers). A blue school anorak may be worn as an optional extra but may not be worn during any official school function. Plain white scarves may be worn and these can be purchased from the Thrift Shop. On Fridays and if a student represents the College during external functions, Lower 6 and Upper 6 students may wear skin colour stockings with black court shoes. Shoe requirements are as for the Summer Uniform.
Prefects
Prefects wear a blue short-sleeved shirt with a school badge embroidered on it with a blue tie with a knee-length Girls’ College blue skirt or navy blue trousers with long Girls’ College blue socks and black shoes as for the summer uniform. Navy blue tights may be worn with winter uniform (skirt or trousers). A blue school anorak may be worn as an optional extra but may not be worn during any official school function. Plain white scarves may be worn and these can be purchased from the Thrift Shop. On Fridays and if a student represents the College during external functions, Prefects may wear skin colour stockings with black court shoes. Shoe requirements are as for the Summer Uniform.
Jerseys
Forms 1 – 4
A plain red V-neck long sleeved pullover with the school logo, and/or sleeveless red pullover may be worn.
Lower and Upper 6th Form
A plain white V-neck long sleeved pullover with the school logo, and/or sleeveless white pullover may be worn.
Prefects
On official occasions prefects must wear a white V-neck plain long sleeved pullover with the school logo or sleeveless pullover including the Blazer, which is compulsory.
Dress Code for Examinations and External Functions
Forms 4, Lower 6 and Upper 6 students who are away from school on Study Leave are expected to abide by the full dress code whilst writing examinations at school, and must follow all the rules and regulations set out above. If pupils come to school during Study Leave, they must wear School uniform, school track suits or sports kit.
If students attend a public function where they are representing the College, they are expected to wear full school uniform as directed by the teacher-in-charge. If students attend a Speech Day or any other formal event at another CHISZ school they are to be in full school uniform, including Blazers.
Boarders are required to wear full school uniform when going to town etc. on Friday afternoons.
Sports Kit
Certain First Team sports require specific kit, but as a standard, for all students, for all sports, navy blue Girls’ College shorts are to be worn with the Girls’ College white sports shirt. For all House sports events, the Sports House colour T-shirt should be worn. For swimming, the Girls’ College navy blue costume with red trim is to be worn with a white swimming cap or House colour cap for a House event.
If students are attending a sporting function, off the school grounds, where Girls’ College is playing, they must be in correct sports kit, either tracksuit, shorts and correct sports shirt correct foot attire etc.
Appearance
Hair
With regards to hair, this policy aims to provide a balance between letting students express themselves individually and keeping order at school. A clean, neat, natural looking hairstyle is essential. Extreme styles such as shaving (unless for medical reasons), sculpting designs in the hair, allowing hair to fall into your eyes, or dying the hair are not acceptable.
Lower and Upper 6 students are permitted to wear Hair Extensions, provided that they appear natural and tidy. Girls with long hair (shoulder length and longer) should wear it in a style that keeps it neat, tied up and out of their face. Hairstyles that obstruct either the vision or movement of the student herself, or anyone around her are not acceptable.
Hair accessories
Hair accessories must be conservative, not ostentatious: headbands that are no wider than one inch, small clips and hair elastics that are discreet. Acceptable colours for accessories are silver, black, white, and uniform colours: ie. Navy blue, red or white. Please limit the number of hair accessories worn so that the hairstyle appears natural and in good taste.
Nails & Make Up
Coloured nail varnish is NOT permitted for students on either fingernails or toenails. However, Lower 6 and Upper 6 students may wear colourless nail varnish. French Manicures are permitted for Upper 6 students only.
Make-up, eyeliners, eyebrow pencil and mascaras and coloured lip balm and lip gloss are forbidden to ALL forms.
Jewellery
Only one gold or silver stud or sleeper may be worn in the bottom hole of each lobe of the ear. Medical bracelets are permitted by students who have a medical problem. Any other jewellery is forbidden, including rings on fingers, bracelets, necklaces, tongue rings. Any girl found wearing any other jewellery will have it confiscated immediately until the end of the academic year. Watches must be functional and discreet. No fancy watches are to be worn.
