For the first time in its 41-year history, James Sheahan Catholic High School has given girls the option of wearing pants instead of skirts.
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The new school rule for uniforms came into effect this week, with parents and guardians being informed of the decision the week prior.
Principal Peter Meers stated via email that the decision came after concern was "raised at times with me by parents and students".
Mr Meers told the Central Western Daily that giving girls the option of pants was prompted by society's "changing contemporary views", whereby it was recognised as a "reasonable expectation" for all girls and women to have that choice.
"We want all students to feel comfortable at school and [having a a trouser alternative for girls] was about empowerment and choice," he said.
It [helps] breaks down some of that rigid gender-stereotyping.
- Principal Peter Meers
"If guys can have long pants, it's reasonable that girls also have that option.
"A lot of the girls may continue to choose the skirt... but it's more just to say 'look we recognise that this is about empowering you and giving you choice and you feeling comfortable coming to school. Our focus should be on your learning and your well-being, not on [clothing]'."
The principal said that the uniform alternative would've been introduced sooner if there had been a "groundswell" of demand, but there hadn't.
However, after speaking to students and parents over the past few days, Mr Meers found that the change was welcome.
"I'm getting the sense that a lot of girls do want that as an option," he said.
"It's just recognition of societal views and making sure as a school that we're in line with growing societal expectations about empowering women.. and this is just one example of that."
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