Private school girls petition for 'gender neutral' uniform
A prestigious NSW girls' school is pushing for an alternative uniform option in a move backed by the state's premier.
Students at Croydon's Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC) have recently started a petition, calling for the school to introduce a pants option for students.
The petition stated it would be an option, meaning students would be allowed to choose which bottoms to wear.
"With our school aiming to stay modern and progressive - we want to uphold these progressive values by introducing a gender neutral pants option," the petition says.
It also states students would "benefit greatly" if the option was introduced.
"We ask the head staff of PLC Sydney to consider our request for pants - we want every student at PLC to feel comfortable in the classroom and around peers," the petition says.
"Mental health and wellbeing of our students would greatly improve if we had more options; so please; for the benefit of all; consider our request."
In just a few days, over 700 people have signed the petition with many leaving comments in support for the option.
"It’s time!" one person who signed the petition said.
"If we want to teach our girls to become strong and empowered women then we should stop forcing them to only wear skirts and dresses," another person said.
"To those who are uncomfortable with changing the uniform, rest assured that your world will not crash because kids are given the choice to wear pants to school.
Gladys Berejiklian supports uniform change
PLC Principal Dr Paul Burgis said the school welcomes requests to change uniforms.
"(The school) warmly welcomes any request to change the uniform or anything else but those requests should go through the correct channels, which for students is the Student Representative Council," Dr Burgis said according to 9News.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has supported the petition and the efforts to allow for a pants option.
Speaking to 2GB's Ben Fordham on Friday, the premier said if she were a student at a school which didn't have the option for pants, she would argue for a change, while acknowledging private schools have "policies in place".
"I think the young girls should express their views and express them to the people responsible," she said.
"That's how you make change."
Ms Berejiklian spoke of what she was like back in her final years of school, saying she was "outspoken".
"I remember when I was in year 11 and year 12, I was outspoken on a few things as were my friends and we made change at our little school, so I commend them and hope to see change for them," she said.
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