METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST UNIFORM REGULATIONS 2016 2017 Methodist College takes a genuine pride and pleasure in the appearance of its pupils. When in uniform all pupils are ambassadors of the school and it is important they look and behave appropriately at all times; be it in school, when travelling to and from school or when representing the school at an outside event. Parental support in this area is important.
The College is judged by the appearance and conduct of the pupils wearing its uniform and so their behaviour and appearance at all times must be such as to uphold its reputation; Regulation College uniform must be worn not only in school hours but on the journey to and from school; Uniform must also be worn when representing the College on any team and at special College functions; Parents/guardians are asked to ensure that pupils conform to the regulations and standards and thus avoid the possibility of sanctions being applied; Parents/Guardians are also asked to direct any uniform enquiries to the Head of Form; If for any unavoidable reason a temporary deviation from the Uniform Regulations is required, a written request should be made to the Head of Form. For example, a pupil may be unable to wear their complete school uniform due to a broken leg or arm. If this is the case, full school tracksuit or tracksuit bottoms and regulation hoodie may be worn; All articles of clothing should be clearly marked with the pupil s name. 1
Blazer Skirt Blouse Tie Shoes Tights Socks Blazer Skirt Blouse Tie Shoes Tights Uniform for Girls Forms 1-5 - Regulation College Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters; - Regulation dark navy skirt which must be knee length. The panels of the skirt must not be altered; See page 11 regarding the skirt. - Long-sleeved white blouse with regulation collar. The buttons and cuffs must be fastened at all times and it must be tucked in; - Regulation Junior/Middle School tie, worn with the College symbol visible below the knot; - Plain black polished leather lace-up or slip-on shoes with a low heel. Heels must be no more than 6cm in height measured on the outside of the heel and must be block heels. See guidance on page 6; - Plain, black tights 60 denier; - Plain dark grey knee socks Forms 1-3 only. Sixth Form Girls - Regulation College Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters; - Regulation grey skirt which must be knee length. The panels of this skirt must not be altered; See page 11 regarding the skirt. - Long sleeved white blouse with regulation collar. The buttons and cuffs must be fastened at all times and it must be tucked in properly; - Regulation Sixth Form tie, with the College symbol visible below the knot; - Plain black polished leather lace-up or slip-on shoes with a low heel, no more than 6cm in height measured on the outside of the heel and must be block heels. See guidance on page 6; - Plain, black tights 60 denier. 2
Optional Uniform Items for Girls Forms 1 Upper Sixth Pullover Scarf Raincoat/ Overcoat - Regulation dark navy V-necked pullover with white stripes around the neck; - Forms 1-3 knitted woollen regulation scarf with stripes across the width. Forms 4-6 flannel regulation scarf with stripes along its length; - Plain, dark navy rain coat. (Hoodies are not permitted with school uniform). Regulations for Girls Jewellery Badges Make-up/ Nail Varnish Hair - The only jewellery permitted is a plain ring and one pair of earrings (one plain stud per ear, positioned on the ear lobe). No other body piercing is permitted. Bracelets should not be worn, except for medical reasons; - Only badges representing College clubs and societies or Prefect badges may be worn; - Make-up and nail varnish should be unobtrusive and age appropriate. Eye make-up is not permitted. (Hypo-allergenic wipes are provided for their removal if the regulation is not followed); - For girls in Forms 1-5, hair should be a conventional in colour and style and hair accessories should be discrete and plain navy or white. An MCB tracksuit top, fleece or hoodie, even one used for sport in the College, must not be worn with the non-sports uniform, for example when travelling to and from school except in extremely inclement weather. Non-MCB tops, fleeces or hoodies are not permitted under any circumstances. 3
Uniform for Boys Forms 1 5 Blazer Trousers Shirt Tie Shoes Socks Blazer - Regulation College Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters; - Dark charcoal grey, plain material (not cotton or denim) trousers of conventional style (i.e. regular fit not straight leg); - Long sleeved white shirt with regulation collar. The buttons and cuffs must be fastened at all times and it must be tucked in properly; - Regulation Junior/Middle School tie, worn with the College symbol visible below the knot; - Conventional flat, black, lace-up or slip-on polished leather shoes of a plain design with low heel. Please see guidance on acceptable styles of shoes on page 6; - Plain dark grey, navy or black socks. Sixth Form Boys - Regulation College Blazer, as supplied by official outfitters; Trousers - Dark charcoal grey, plain material (not cotton or denim) trousers of conventional style (i.e. regular fit not straight leg); Shirt - Long sleeved white shirt with regulation collar. The buttons and cuffs must be fastened at all times and it must be tucked in properly; Tie Shoes Socks - Regulation Senior School tie, worn with the College symbol visible below the knot; - Conventional flat, black, lace-up or slip-on polished leather shoes of a plain design with low heel. Please see guidance on acceptable styles of shoes on page 8; - Plain dark grey, navy or black socks. 4
Optional Uniform Items for Boys Forms 1 Upper Sixth Pullover Scarf Forms 1-3 Raincoat/ Overcoat - Regulation grey V-necked pullover with white and navy stripes around the neck; - Knitted woollen regulation scarf with stripes across the width. Forms 4-6 flannel regulation scarf with stripes along its length; - Plain, dark navy rain coat. (Hoodies are not permitted with school uniform). Regulations for Boys Jewellery Badges Make-up/ Nail Varnish Belt Hair - Boys are not permitted to wear jewellery; - Only badges representing College clubs and societies or Prefect badges may be worn; - These are not permitted. (Hypo-allergenic wipes are provided by staff for the removal of them if the regulation is not followed); - Plain, black belt; - Hair should be conventional in colour and style. It should be worn off the face at the front and above the collar at the back. It should not be excessively short and shaven hair either in full or in part is unacceptable. Side burns should not be grown below the level of the ear lobes and boys should be clean shaven. An MCB tracksuit top, fleece or hoodie, even one used for sport in the College, must not be worn with the non-sports uniform, for example when travelling to and from school except in extremely inclement weather. Non-MCB tops, fleeces or hoodies are not permitted under any circumstances. 5
Footwear Regulations Please note that the following do not conform to the College regulations and must not be worn with College uniform: boots; platform shoes; shoes with suede, Nu- buck or canvas finish; stiletto/ kitten /wedge heels; ballet pumps; black trainer type shoes. Parents of pupils whose shoes do not conform to the College regulations will be asked to purchase new shoes immediately. Please see below styles of acceptable footwear. Examples of Acceptable Footwear for Girls Forms 1 - U6 Examples of Acceptable Footwear for Boys Forms 1 - U6 6
Information about Games and PE Uniform for Boys and Girls The items of Games and PE uniform marked with an * can only be bought from the Canterbury School Shop located in the College. The shop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday before school and at lunchtime on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during term time. It is open at other times during August, before the start of the autumn term. Details of all opening times are available on our website www.methody.org. Pupils going home after Games or after school practices are permitted to wear either full school uniform, including blazer, or MCB track suit bottoms and top/regulation hoodie, (but not a mixture of school uniform and Games/PE kit.). If a pupil is representing the College on a team, agreed MCB apparel must be worn. It is strongly recommended that in contact sports mouth guards and shin guards are worn. It is also recommended that in sunny weather sun cream should be applied. Uniform Regulations for ALL Pupils involved in Sporting Activities during the School Day other than Afternoon Games If pupils are involved in a sporting activity from the beginning of the school day they may only come to school in their tracksuit if cleared to do so by the Head of PE. If pupils are leaving for a sporting activity during the day they come into school in their uniform and they change at the following times: Leaving between break and lunch change at break time; Leaving after lunch change at lunch time; Leaving at the end of school for a match or practice change after school. If pupils return during the course of the school day they must change into full uniform. 7
Games and PE Uniform for Girls Compulsory items Canterbury polo shirt* Lycra shorts* Games skort* Hooped Games socks* White ankle socks Non-marking laced training shoes no fashion trainers Optional Items for Girls Track suit bottoms* - strongly recommended Track suit top* Fleece Games shorts* Lycra leggings* Hooded top* (only for wearing with Games/PE kit) Waterproof jacket* Items marked * may be purchased only in the shop located in the College. 8
Games and PE Uniform for Boys Compulsory Items Canterbury athletics vest* Canterbury reversible rugby shirt* OR Canterbury hockey polo shirt* White shorts* Navy rugby shorts* OR navy hockey shorts* Hooped Games socks* White ankle socks Non-marking training shoes Rugby/football boots are required if playing rugby Optional Items for Boys Track suit bottoms* - strongly recommended Track suit top* Hooded top* (only for wearing with Games/PE kit) Waterproof Turbo jacket* Canterbury fleece* (required for travelling teams only) Items marked * may be purchased only in the shop located in the College 9
Summer Uniform The change to summer uniform regulations is usually announced about mid- May. Blazers are no longer compulsory. Pupils may wear shirts and ties without having to wear a blazer over them. However, if they choose to wear a jumper they must wear a blazer over it. Jumpers without blazers are not summer uniform. Either short-sleeved shirt or a long-sleeved shirt, with cuffs buttoned, may be worn. Collar must be buttoned and ties must be worn in the approved manner. Official Outfitters for Uniform Articles of uniform, apart from Games and PE kit (see items marked * previously), can be obtained from the following stores: CA Gowdy Ltd Tel 02890 459052 David Gotto Tel 02890 381722 McCalls Tel 02892 675111 Warnocks Tel 02890 381828 121-131 Woodstock Road, Belfast 72 Stranmillis Road, Belfast 20-24 Market Street, Lisburn 791-792 Lisburn Road, Belfast Financial Assistance Financial Assistance towards the cost of school uniform is available for some pupils through the Education and Library Board Clothing Allowance. The eligibility criteria are the same as those used for free school meals. Please contact the Head of Pastoral Care, Mr Neilands for more information. Second-Hand Uniform Items Stocks of second-hand MCB uniforms are often available from the Save The Children shop, 12 Botanic Avenue, Belfast. Tel 02890 249549. 10
New skirt arrangements From September 2016 all girls will be required to wear the new skirt. Please use the images below as a guide to purchasing the new school skirt. Please note that the skirt should be worn to sit at knee level as is shown in the photographs. In Forms 1-5 pupils will wear the new navy skirt. Sixth Form girls will wear the new grey skirt. In an effort to improve the overall appearance of how the uniform is worn, the skirt should not be altered in terms of length. Skirts purchased which are too short will have to be returned and you will be asked to purchase a new skirt of the appropriate length. 11