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1. Wow! Such a vital story for us all to know about!
   
   Give us a break. I find it amazing that the family are kicking up a fuss about this rather than just complying wiht the schools' rules. Even more amazing that it made the local newspaper. And utterly astounding that Cath News thinks it is news.

   Posted By: terra

2. There are some arguments in favour of school uniforms, not least of which is the pontential to reduce cost to parents. But in practice, this argument is usually turned on its head when uniforms have to be so smart that they cost more than mass produced garments.
   If the uniform is merely another ploy to enforce strict conformity then it can be counter-productive in any educational establishment

   Posted By: Denis Matthews

3. Has Matthew's Mother thought that sticking to the rules for the school are just part of the discipline? Her indignation and possible refusal to agree to the school's rules, will reinforce in her son's mind - even though only five - that it's right to disobey authority and that mum and dad will back him up. Have they thought that this could lead to future anti-authority troubles?

   Posted By: gloria healey

4. Forget the issue of the length of socks, the real issue here is the failure of the parents to support the whole school community.
   
   If they want their child to wear any type of socks, some other parents will want something else etc etc
   
   Before they know it the school community will be fractured because of DIY understandings of membership of a Catholic School community, much the same as the St Mary's Sth Brisbane parish community allowed DIY understandings to fracture their relationship with the Church.
   
   There are enough structures for parents in a Catholic School community to work through issues such as this one. That the public media has become involved, seemingly without the issue going through those structures is disappointing.
   
   Again, I put into the mix of discussions, the idea of a contract to be signed at the time of enrolment to ensure that parents are clearly introduced to the structures that will allow maximum protection of everyones' dignity but affirm the need to live as a community.

   Posted By: Fr Mick Mac Andrew Bombala-Delegate NSW

5. Wouldn't it be good if parents accepted the responsibility to adhere to school rules and policies instead of 'siding' with their children. The challenge to fix up school uniform standards was done in a very gentle, yet challenging fashion. Whether you have a prep student or a year 12 student, should make no difference. In fact if you dress your prep. 'out of uniform' and then go to a newspaper to complain about a reminder to dress him correctly, then it is you, the parent that has the problem.
   
   A Principal's job is a rather thankless one. Mrs Graham has been challenged by many other parents to address the laxness of many students' uniform dress.... since raising the issue, she has received quite astounding levels of abuse... quite remarkable. You would think parents would support her leadership. But many parents, have the mindset of their children.
   
   If you read this article, and feel so moved, I suggest you write in support of Mrs Graham who is doing a marvellous job as leader of St Andrew's College.

   Posted By: Supporter

6. Maybe- Control is a lethal thing; it infects all levels of power, corrupts any sense of perspective and destroys creativity... just wondering.

   Posted By: TJ Lawson

7. about 30 myrs ago my youngest daughter was being singled out because I allowed her to wear sandals to school without socks.I spoke to her female teacher pointing out that in Australian summer you didn't wear socks with sandals and noting that every female teacher had bare legs.
   I noted that her ability to teach had nothing to do with her bare legs and my daughter's learning ability was not subject to what she wore on her feet.
   Problem solved.Fancy wanting 5yrs old in Cairns to wear long socks in that climate.Get real.

   Posted By: Peg Saunders

8. Good morning,
   I think that this school is way over the top of what is acceptable behaviour in giving this child a breach because his socks aren't quite the right length. They are, according to his father, the right colour and the photo shows a neatly attired little boy. What sort of message is this school trying to send in this day and age? That if you're in the wrong type of sock you won't fit in? Surely a Catholic school ought to have more important things on its mind. Perhaps the kids' spiritual development could feature more prominently? Perhaps they could teach the kids about tolerance the acceptance of some diversity.
   LMO

   Posted By: LMO

9. I am behind and in support of any measure taken on any student in view of imparting sense of discipline so long as it is done with the view to correcting the student and instilling moral up-bringing on him/her. Matt, be a good boy and obey the rules and regulations of the school.
   
   Musa Habila

   Posted By: Habila Musa

10. Totally agree with Fr Mick, especially his first sentence.
    Sorry, Andrew's dad, but you've indicated that the 'story' is all about you.
    Highly reactive to something that's not even world shaking (a uniform code) because it impinges on how he thinks things should be.
    Only thing I'd suggest is that the school might like to follow in the lines that Fr Mick's mentioned....making a contract with parents about things like uniform code.
    Then, when there's a problem, directly approach the parents. Phone or email. There may be times when there's a problem that's preventing compliance.
    And it prevents a small child, like Andrew, being singled out for a visit to the Principal's office, when at his age, the 'sock choice' was a matter for how his parent dressed him that day.
    So I wouldn't follow the same process that the school did (with young children), but I thoroughly support the school establishing a uniform code.
    And sticking to it, but via a contract & with some diplomacy when wanting to raise an issue.
    Also including in that contract, info for parents re how they can contact the school if something untoward happens & they temporarily can't keep up to the code. Like the dog ate all the child's socks!
    
    

    Posted By: marhutch@ozemail.com.au

11. Obviously it's a slow news week. Who would have thought that children were getting in trouble for not wearing their uniform correctly! Maybe the boys at my school should have alerted the CM when they got in trouble for not wearing their hat, or having their shirts not tucked-in!
    
    Please, as the article says:
    
    "There are bigger and more important things happening out there in the world than the length of a five year old child's school socks."

    Posted By: Alex Knight

12. Peg Saunders and LMO deserve support. A mother told me of a dignified deputy principal telling her that her son had not worn his school uniform to school. The stressed mother - she had four other children in the car waiting to be dropped offf at other after-school activities - bemusedly tried to recall what her son had walked out of the house in.
    She was told her son's white socks did not have the required teal stripe.
    When schools see fit to make such a fuss about such trivia it is well and truly time to ask them for a balance sheet. How many children leave school practising their faith? Parents need to demand results. The mother also drew attention to the enormous knapsacks worn by five year olds at some Catholic schools. They almost drag along the ground A health hazard? The mother added that she was aware of the pressure many principals and teachers were under and sympathised with them.

    Posted By: BALANCED

13. The connection the article makes between the uniform violation and the overall state of school discipline appears tenuous. Though, evidently, this is a serious issue that requires immediate government action.

    Posted By: Michael

14. It's one thing for the CM to find such a story newsworthy, but I would have hoped CathNews was of a somewhat more discerning mind in its reporting. Please CathNews, don't just fill your otherwise valuable news reports with any old newspaper article that has the word 'Catholic' in it!

    Posted By: Fr Andrew Chase

15. I agree totally with the Principal of St. Andrew's College re. school uniform. I am a teacher myself living in Ireland. Uniform is uniform and when parents sign up to bring their child to a particular school they are well informed of the rules and regulations. So stop moaning parents and T.G. there are people out there who want to uphold standards when all around us - in every country, standards are falling. One rule for one child and another for another child is not an option. What negative example from the parents of this child. Take your child to a school where there is no uniform required. It's as simple as that. Aine

    Posted By: Aine ni Riain

16. All I can say, is that the principal of this school must have a pretty easy job, if she has the time to worry about the length of socks. I support uniforms, but really - worrying about length of scoks for a 5 year old is fairly sad. But I agree with some comments - it is equally annoying that the parents have made an issue about it. Thank God we have a Pope concerned about the state of the world economy. Now that is an issue worth worrying about.

    Posted By: Peter Burger

17. I realise I am a bit slow.
    
    If this is such a trifling matter why even respond to it?

    Posted By: Chris

18. Well chastising a five year old about his socks sounds harsh but I feel its high time discipline came back to schools. A disciplined child will grow up to be a disciplined adult who in turn will be a disciplined father some day, and discipline is the base for honesty, integrity and self control

    Posted By: Anne Sheena

19. I know the boy involved and have children who attend the school. The uniform policy as explained in the junior school handbook state: navy short anklet socks - must cover ankle. Now correct me if I'm wrong but those socks are covering the ankle. The parents didn't approach the newspapers but were contacted when a reporter read the blog on the family's web page. Emails had been sent to the teacher and a request for a meeting with the principal had been made but Mrs Graham was too busy too see his father. The father had not expected this big a deal and was under the impression that the article was going to be a few lines in a larger article about school policies.

    Posted By: Amber

20. It is news actually "terra" it's news that needs to be discussed. In my opinion our school is thinking way too much about uniform rather than education.
    
    For example my friend got in trouble for having a little bit of pen on her sock, she was refused by her maths teacher to set foot in his classroom until they are fixed. (this is denying the right of education)
    
    There's having a uniform, and then there's taking it too far.
    
    Rome wasn't built in a day so then you can't expect us all to look perfect with a the click of the fingers.
    
    I'm sorry, I'm only saying what others are thinking.

    Posted By: St andrew's Yr 10 Student

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