I am a year 12 student of a Victorian Government school, since year 7 i have always had to follow strict school uniform. 

I am writing to the Victorian Government about this problem.

This has never sat right with me and thousands of other students across Victoria. Just from asking around my school I had hundreds of students agree with what I'm advocating for.

I am arguing that we should have the choice to follow a different code of dress, with there still being the option to wear a school uniform if you want to. Yes we still have to follow a dress code but we just need to be respectful on the casual clothes that we wear. 
Not only is this a pain for us students but also for our loving parents, firstly they have to pay our schooling fees, secondly they have go out to a certain brand and buy brand new school shirts, pants, shorts, jumpers, blazers, ties, black leather shoes and when you're in year 12 you have to buy a year 12 jacket.

In Melbourne there is already a school that doesn't follow a strict uniform policy.
At "Melbourne Montessori School" their uniform policy states "There is no compulsory uniform at Melbourne Montessori School. Students are required to wear neat and tidy clothes that are comfortable and practical"
This as a rule is a game changer towards how students feel at school, they will feel more comfortable in their own clothes. This school does still follow a code of dress as you aren't allowed to wear strapless sundresses and singlets, must wear toe closed shoes.
And yes they still have a school uniform available for the students that want to wear them.

I know some of you may be thinking, aren't the normal day clothes that we wear more expensive than school uniform in total? Oh do I have some facts for you.
I've found that most schools in Melbourne use PSW as their school uniform supplier.
During you're schooling year the clothes you buy will last up to a year or 2 as you're growing from a child to a young adult. From year 7 to year 12 that's 6 years you're buying school uniform, that means 3 years of spending. Comparing most of the schools that are supplied by PSW i have found the median for uniform.
Men
Short Sleeve - $37
Long sleeve - $52
Shorts - $47
Pants - $60
Women
Summer dress - $60
Short Sleeve - $37
Long sleeve - $52
Shorts - $47
Skirt - $70
Pants - $60
Unisex
Black leather shoes - Upwards from $100
Blazer - $180
Tie - $25
Jumper - $90
Socks 3 pack - $20

So just for one year of spending as a female your parents or yourself will have to spend upwards of $741 and as a male $611. This is insane money to be spending just on the first year of buying uniform, lets say the blazer shoes and jumper lasts longer than shirts and shorts that's still spending at least $400.
If you go to Kmart, Target, Big W, clothes are still fashionable from $20 for around $150 you can buy 2 outfits that its a third of the total amount of school uniform.

If we get enough votes to change this rule, it may lead to the Government changing some other rules we have.