Many of us, students at Auckland Grammar School, bravely endure the biting cold of winter in our short trousers. Our discomfort and self-consciousness take away from our ability to focus on what really matters - our education. As we brave the chilly climate, our learning suffers, and we believe it's time for change.

We believe Auckland Grammar students should be given better uniforms. The compulsory shorts the school give for all year round is ridiculous for the freezing temperatures in winter. They are short and do not keep us warm. This means we are stuck with short trousers for the entire year. Auckland Grammar School has been around since 1869, and since then, they haven’t changed their uniform. They continue to keep the same shorts and shirts as before. Long trousers should be provided as an option to all boys all year round for a number of valid arguments:

1. long trousers will keep students warm during the cooler months and during rainy/windy weather conditions;

2. To provide Auckland Grammar young men with sense of equality given that all other secondary schools in Auckland offer long trousers to young men. 
3. Many students find it uncomfortable or even self-conscious in short trousers uniforms due to their age and/or body/height. Providing long trousers for all boys will help them build their confidence and prevent potential mental illness; given that our school is a years 9-13 (13-18 years) school and not a primary school,  short trousers are not appropriate and insufficient considering the age of the students. Long trousers are more appropriate and better aligned with the maturity and values of Auckland Grammar students. 

In both summer and winter, students at schools across the nation are given the option to wear long trousers. As per the National School Uniform Statistics, more than 90% of schools in the country offer versatile dress code options for all seasons (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021), which is a step further than just offering long trousers. We see no reason for Auckland Grammar School to remain an exception to the norm.

We are calling on the school board to allow boys to wear long trousers as part of the daily school uniform for all seasons. By making this small allowance, the school will be promoting student welfare. This isn't just a basic human right, but a plea for functionality, comfort and focus in education. We deserve the choice and the chance to learn in the utmost comfort. 

We understand that long trousers are only available to prefects on formal occasions only. There has been no change to our uniform listing and no major uniform review process over many years. However, times have changed and the notion that young men wear short trousers no longer exists. 

Join us in requesting a change to Auckland Grammar School's uniform policy. Sign this petition today.