Australia is not the same as America

Warrigal

Warrigal

SF VIP
Location
Sydney, Australia
Just read a tweet written by an American now living in Australia. He makes a couple of observations about his kids schooling.

After a solid week of Australian schooling for my kids, I can say that my second favourite thing about schools here is school uniforms. It's amazing to not have to worry about outfits. Of course, that's a distant second to the fact that they won't die in a shooting.
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We take school uniforms for granted and it is a moment of pride to see the little ones wearing their brand new uniforms to school on their first day.

A typical public school uniform



Anyone like to post their surprise experiences of visiting or living in Australia
 

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Many of the private schools in this area require school uniforms.

I understand and agree with many of the reasons that uniforms are used, but if you pay attention to the condition of the uniforms and the way the kids choose to wear them the differences in the lives and attitudes of the kids shine through loud and clear.

The tweet itself it’s a bit unfair, but I’m glad that the author has found a place where he and his family feel safe.
 
Never been to Australia, I would love to go.. my DD has been and loved it..

On the subject of school uniforms.. of course every school child in the UK wears School uniform. There are a myriad of different Uniforms. and I wore a Uniform when I was at school
When I was a child, I remember my Aunt and Uncle visiting from Toronto, and bemoaning the fact they had no school uniform rules there.. saying even then back in the 60's... that it costs them a fortune to keep up with the latest fashion for my cousins.. and how they would love to be able to send them to school in a uniform every day...

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I approve of school uniforms and I hope we continue with them. It gives a feeling of belonging to a community, which is all part of school education.
'Australia is not America'....no and nor is Great Britain.....long may it continue!
 
Uniforms, no uniforms, how does that effect one’s education? Where I live, the Catholic school kids wear uniforms and the kids that go to private schools wear uniforms and still do. Kids in public schools dress as they please with certain exceptions. I’ve never heard or read of kids being involved in any fracases over uniforms or who was wearing what.

I see most guys wearing shorts at knee length and a polo shirt. They can’t wear slides or flip flops, but can wear dockside’s. I don’t pay attention to what the girls are wearing. I don’t think kids today make a big deal out of their clothing like they once did.

One thing I do take notice to is that when kids get to 16, they drive back and forth to school. Back in my day, you could only drive to school if you had a job or had to stay after school for team practice. Now, anyone can drive.
 
Many schools in America also require uniforms. Many other options in school choice in most parts of America. Of course, these options are not free, but the quality of education in generally way ahead of most all public schools.
 
I spent 12 years in a Catholic school. And for 12 years I wore a school uniform.
Oz may not be the US, but I'm struck by how similar we are becoming. If you go on Tik Tok, or any media where people show their homes, it is impossible to tell where on the globe that is. It could be Russia, the UK, China, Peru, etc. We've come a long way in eliminating poverty. Well dressed people living in nice homes is rather common. (Yes, there still are pockets of poverty.) But what gets me is the sameness. There is nothing to indicate if the home was in Russia, the UK, etc. To me, it seems there's something lost.
 
When I attended school, back in the late 30's through'1951, private and Catholic school wore uniforms. Kid like myself, attending public schools wore regular clothes. Overalls (alter becoming jeans) were rarely present and girls wore dresses/sweaters, blouses and skirts. As an aside, in grades 1-6, boys and girls had separate play areas for outside activities and during lunch break.
 
When I lived in Adelaide SA, I would see students wearing their uniforms. The hats are a practical and good idea for sun protection. I met quite a number of children of all ages. One thing I noticed, was how respectful and curious they were toward me.

The women were friendly and accepting. My best friend ever, is an Aussie. She and her husband helped me through the most difficult time in my life. The people, in general, are straightforward, which I really like. They are very unique in a way that quickly endeared me to them.

I tried to educate myself in regard to the politics of the State and the Country - definitely very different from here, and the U.S. One thing, I did frequently, was to point out that Canada isn't part of the U.S., and just part of North America - and that our governments were not similarly run.

I was so close to gaining Citizenship, but my ex made sure that didn't happen.

Australia is, and always will be, in my heart forever. I love Oz as much as I love my birthplace, Canada.
 
Mizmo said:
In Scotland this is what I wore until I was fifteen..we called them Gyms...different coloured sashes denoted the school
We also wore what we called then Trench coats...part of the uniform
..no I am not in picture

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That was the same school Uniform as my mother when she was at school in Dundee.. in the 40's... I wore a tunic like that.. a little more modern in the 60's during my first and second years .. we could choose to wear either a black tunic dress or a black skirt.. by the time my 3rd year came around I was wearing a mini skirt.. ( well the rules were no skirts more than 3 inches above the knee)... but we rolled ours up as soon as we got out of school..
 
My one visit to Australia was during the summer when school was out, so I had no idea school uniforms were the rule throughout. I was there to ride horses. I stayed on a ranch out in the country after spending a week in Sydney, where they had a marvelous zoo nearby. I loved Australia - the country is gorgeous and the people were great!
 
I loved our brief visit to Australia. Still think of ”mind the gap” when I see a train.

Paraphrasing a discussion of a podcast, expats living in Australia told their friend that it took them a while to realize they were no longer living in fear.
 
I think the school uniforms along with military uniforms instill a sense of oneness which is a step forward in promoting a unified society and not like in the U.S.

The young guy in the top left looks like a little wise guy. :)
 
I spent several months touring New Zealand and Australia in the early 90s. Saw highlights/ bits and pieces of both but have regretted not adding a little of Tasmania as well. Used trains, planes and short organized bus tours. Beautiful country, friendly people.

Yanks were loved everywhere and would engage in convo just to hear our accents. A comment that has stayed with me ...... During WWII, England took their men to fight for England but the USA helped protect Australia. 50 years later and they remembered and were still grateful.
 
hollydolly said:
Never been to Australia, I would love to go.. my DD has been and loved it..

On the subject of school uniforms.. of course every school child in the UK wears School uniform. There are a myriad of different Uniforms. and I wore a Uniform when I was at school
When I was a child, I remember my Aunt and Uncle visiting from Toronto, and bemoaning the fact they had no school uniform rules there.. saying even then back in the 60's... that it costs them a fortune to keep up with the latest fashion for my cousins.. and how they would love to be able to send them to school in a uniform every day...

VacanciesHeroImage2.jpg
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They all look smart and so nice.
 
Jules said:
I loved our brief visit to Australia. Still think of ”mind the gap” when I see a train.

Paraphrasing a discussion of a podcast, expats living in Australia told their friend that it took them a while to realize they were no longer living in fear.
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They still say Mind the Gap here ..on the Tube trains..
 

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