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There are substantial differences concerning school uniform at primary and secondary schools. Most state primary schools do not require a uniform. Private and Catholic elementary schools, however, are an exception and do mostly require uniforms, although this has begun to change a little in recent years. The uniforms at New Zealand schools generally follow the typical traditional British school uniform of sweater, tie, shorts, and knee socks. Almost all New Zealand secondary schools have required school uniforms. A few coed schools have dropped the requirement, but most schools still continue to require uniforms--at least until the 6th form. Private secondary schools give considerable attention to uniform. Most state secondary schools also have uniforms, however, uniform standards vary substantially from school to school.
Uniforms and clothing at New Zealand primary schools have varied over time. There were also didderences at the different types of schools. Most state primary schools through the 20th century do not require a uniform. Private and Catholic elementary schools, however, do mostly require uniforms--generally the typical traditional British school uniform of sweater, tie, shorts, and knee socks. As a result, in the state system you have the rather incongrous system of little elementary school kids going to school in long pants and big secondary boys going to school in short pants and knee socks. Many New Zealand elementary children look forward to the day that they begin intermediate school and wear uniforms like the big boys. The novelty of the uniform, however, for many soon wears off. Some state primary schools began to introduce uniforms in the late-1990s. This was especially pronounced in the cities. It is a trend that has become more pronounced in the 2000s.
New Zealand after World War II began to establish intermediate chools. These were similar to American middle schools. Most primary schools teach chidren up to year six (aged about 10 years old). At this point techidren go to an intermediate school for 2 years before secondary school, which starts at year nine (roughly age 13 years). A few primary schools have programs up to year eight. Those are called 'integrated primary schools'. The intermediate schools offer specialised education for students about aged 11 to 13 years, bridging the transition from primary to secondary school. At these schools unlike the primary schools, adopted uniforms comparable to secondary school uniforms, although blazers are not very common. Thery are all part of the state sector. The older boys at the private prearartory schools ecompased the intermediate school age range.
Almost all New Zealand secondary schools have required school uniforms. A few coed schools have dropped the requirement, but most schools still continue to require uniforms--at least until the 6th form. The uniforms are based on British styles, incliuding the short pants and knee socks which to a substntial degree have disappeared in Britain. Private secondary schools give considerable attention to uniform. Most state secondary schools also have uniforms, however, uniform standards vary substantially from school to school. It is a substantial effort to enforce uniform standards with teenagers. This seem especially the case in the state schools. Some schools make the effort. Others are less willing to do so. The school uniforms are all local choices. While many students do not like the idea of wearing a uniform, the compulsory school uniform is popular among a substantial majority of parents. And as a result the school uniform has continued to b inm place im most secondary chools. We are not sure precisely why this is, but suspect that many parents see a uniform as a indicator of discipline standards.
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