In 2022, Christian College introduced a contemporary mix and match wardrobe for all students from Prep to Year 12, that reflects our position as a modern and progressive school.
We have strived to design a wardrobe that is inclusive, flexible and comfortable, while promoting a strong sense of identity among our students – and we are excited to share the designs with our community.
Students can choose from a range of items based on their personal preference, the weather and planned daily activities, including shorts for girls. Gone also is the compulsory wearing of summer and winter uniforms at specific times of year.
The new mix and match wardrobe embraces our historical colours, while introducing a more gender-neutral palette and is appropriate for all activities, ages, and body shapes.
Made with durable, breathable and easy-care fabrics, the wardrobe is more practical and cost effective in the long term for our families.
Some things haven’t changed, including the school bag and sports uniform as well as the opportunity to purchase second-hand items.
We cannot wait to see our student body transition to the new mix and match wardrobe over the next three years, with all students wearing the uniform from the beginning of the 2025 school year.
If you have any questions, we encourage you to email [email protected].
A first look
Here’s a look at our modern new wardrobe that can be worn year-round including optional items that will be available for every student.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing?
From 2022, Christian College is introducing a modern mix and match student wardrobe that is inclusive, flexible, and comfortable. While creating a coordinated and cohesive student wardrobe, the new uniform gives students options based on personal preference, the weather, or activities they have planned that day. There will be a three-year transition period for the new academic wardrobe, with all students expected to be wearing the new wardrobe by the commencement of the 2025 school year.
How is a wardrobe different to a uniform?
It’s not. It is the attire that all students need to wear to the College. What’s different is the name we call it and the flexibility and choice it provides our students.
What is the new wardrobe?
The new wardrobe is a mix and match range of garments to suit all body shapes, activities and traverse all seasons.
For Years Prep-4, new wardrobe pieces will include:
- School dress and pinafore for girls
- Short and long sleeve shirt for girls
- Shorts and pants for boys
- Short and long sleeve shirt for boys
- Scarf
- Necktie
- Girls’ crossover tie
- Pullover
- Cardigan
- Vest
- Scarf
- Girls’ pants and culottes
- Anorak
- School socks
For Years 5-12, new uniform items will include:
- Blazers
- Pants, culottes, school dress and skirt for girls
- Shorts and pants for boys
- Long and short sleeve shirt
- Cardigan
- Vest
- Pullover
- Scarf
- Necktie
- Girls’ crossover tie
- School socks
Current gloves, tights and hats will not change.
What is staying the same?
School bags, sports uniforms and shoes remain the same as well as hats, gloves and tights.
What is the transition period?
Students currently in Year 9 to Year 11 in 2021 (Year 12: 2022-24) can finish their schooling in their current uniform.
Students commencing in Prep and Year 7 in 2022 are encouraged to purchase the new wardrobe. However, if families have existing sibling uniforms to hand down or have already purchased current uniform items, new students can wear the existing uniform.
All other year levels have the option of wearing either the existing uniform or selecting from the new wardrobe from 2022-2024.
Can students mix the existing uniform with the new wardrobe?
Students can wear their existing school blazer, boys their shorts and pants and girls their existing pants with the new mix and match wardrobe during the 2022 – 2024 transition period. Other than this, students are required to wear either, all the current uniform or all of the new wardrobe.
Do new students joining the school in 2022 need to purchase the new uniform?
No. We encourage families with students commencing in 2022 to purchase the new uniform. However, in response to parent feedback that some families already have access to the existing uniform, new students will be able to wear the existing uniform or the new wardrobe.
All students will need to be wearing the mix and match wardrobe by the commencement of the 2025 school year.
Can we still buy new existing uniforms?
Yes, the Uniform Shop is heavily discounting the current uniform and has a range of second-hand items available to assist families during the transition period.
How does the cost of the new uniform compare to the current uniform?
As there will no longer be a need to purchase separate summer and winter uniforms, on average the cost to buy the new core wardrobe is approximately the same.
We envisage it will take some time for a stock of second-hand uniforms to become available after 2025.
Why is the uniform changing?
Three years ago, the college received requests from students and families to include pants as an option for female students. To accommodate their request, we started a review of the entire uniform to ensure our students had access to a contemporary, flexible wardrobe.
Our current uniform is based on the traditional English model of set summer and winter wardrobes that do not take comfort and weather into consideration. A good example of this is our current heavy wool flannel blazer, which is not suitable for warm to hot conditions, and is also difficult to dry.
The uniform was designed more than 30 years ago and has since been superseded by modern designs, fabrics, and yarns.
It is also important to recognise that the check fabric of the current summer dress and winter skirt is like that of other schools in the Geelong region.
How are the fabrics and designs different?
There are a few improvements in wearability and durability. We have included items that are made from easy-care and easy wear fabrics (e.g. drip dry and easy to iron), including:
- Blazer: modern, durable wool fabric with stretch for comfort and suitable for all weather conditions
- Skirt and pinafore: more durable wool blend fabrics to allow comfort in all weather conditions
Knitwear: an improved ‘high twist’ two ply yarn which is softer and more comfortable to wear, yet just as durable. The V-Neck now avoids being split due to a new manufacturing technique
Does the new wardrobe continue to have set summer and winter uniforms?
No. Students will be able to wear items that they are comfortable in and appropriate to the weather or their activities on any given day.
Why introduce new colours?
The Colleges’ historical colours are maintained and embraced in the new uniform, connecting students with the tradition and history of the College while being reflective of its position as a modern, innovative and progressive school.
Along with the cranberry and navy, grey was selected as it offered a gender-neutral colour that contrasted exceptionally well.
How was the new uniform decided?
The process to select a new student wardrobe was collaborative involving representation from students, staff, and families, together with the College leadership, Executive Team, and the Board.
After an extensive review of design options, together we created a new mix and match wardrobe which looks to the future by offering flexibility and comfort in choice. This ensures we are inclusive and ‘fit for purpose’ for students as they move through their younger school years through adolescence and into adulthood.
When will sample uniforms be available to see?
We expect to have sample uniforms to show the College community within weeks. The pandemic has affected manufacturing and slowed down the process. We will update you as soon as we receive sample items.
When will the uniforms be available to buy?
We expect the new uniforms to be available to purchase by early January 2022.
What happens to the old new uniforms once they can no longer be used?
Our sister school in East Timor will be the beneficiaries of all light wardrobe pieces. All items that cannot be sent to East Timor will be sent back to the manufacturer for recycling.
Which wardrobe items will be required for formal College events?
The wardrobe to be worn for specific formal events, such as music evenings, graduations, school photos and celebration evenings can be selected from the full wardrobe range. The design of the new wardrobe maintains colour and consistency across the range, to allow students to look contemporary and stylish, whilst providing a neat and comfortable fit.
The College will maintain a high level of expectation for students to wear whichever wardrobe items they choose in a neat and tidy manner.
Is the new wardrobe gender neutral?
The College has maintained a variety of wardrobe options for male and female students. The new wardrobe includes various gender neutral elements allowing for greater student choice.
Do senior girls have the option to wear shorts?
Yes.