Dress Code

Parents are requested to pay particular attention to the requirements of the dress code when outfitting their sons for school.  It is not only important in terms of what students wear, but how they wear it.

Dress Code
The purpose of a Dress Code is to encourage students to be neat and clean at all times, to foster in them a sense of community and to create an atmosphere of gentlemanly behaviour and serious study.
For students in Grades 7-12 the Dress Code is as follows:

• White long sleeved dress shirts
• School tie (purple/black)
• Regular black, dress shoes, with leather uppers, cut beneath the ankle
• Socks extending beyond the ankle (dark dress socks recommended)
• Slacks: Grades 7 to 11 - Grey Dress Pants; Grade 12 - Creased suit quality Dress Pants
• Only white undershirts can be worn

It is not only important what students wear, but how they wear it. In all instances slacks must be worn at the waist with shirts tucked in and buttoned to the top with the school tie drawn to theneck. If a belt is worn it must be black and dress quality.

Optional
In instances of cool or inclement weather, students may elect to wear a garment over their shirt and tie. If students elect to do this, only the following garments will be considered to be in Dress Code:

• Black, monogrammed Vancouver College sleeveless vest
• Black, monogrammed Vancouver College V-neck sweater
• Traditional purple Letterman’s sweater
• Traditional blue Edmundian sweater
• Traditional beige Student Council sweater
• An approved Grade 12 Graduation sweater

The Dress Code will be in effect everywhere on campus, throughout the school day and at out of school activities when requested. This applies to unscheduled blocks and lunchtime. On specific occasions the Dress Code may be relaxed for suitable reasons such as Mayfair Casual days, as announced by Administration.

Optional Summer Dress Code for Grades 7 – 12
Summer Dress Code is in effect from the beginning of the school year until the day before the President’s Honour Society Student Assembly and then again on the day following the Mother’s Day Masses. The Summer Dress Code consists of the following:

• A Vancouver College Golf shirt with collar turned down or a white dress shirt and school tie
• Dress pants or Vancouver College shorts
• Dress shoes or sandals, strapped at the heel
• Socks
• If a belt is worn, it must be black and dress quality

Grooming
Hair should be clean, well groomed and of moderate length, no longer than the top of the shirt collar, nor radically styled, nor unnaturally coloured. Jewellery must be in good taste and subdued in nature. No body piercing rings are permitted. Earrings, while permitted must be either a stud or a single small ring.

Decisions regarding the suitability of grooming are left to the discretion of the Vancouver College Staff and Administration.

Violations of Dress Code and Grooming Policy

The success of the Dress Code and Grooming Policy depends upon the cooperation of the entire Vancouver College Community – staff, students, parents and administration.

• If a student appears in class or in the hallways and common areas out of Dress Code, teachers will make every effort to insure the student is compliant with the Code (i.e.: remove outer garments, tuck in shirt, draw tie to the neck). If a student remains non-compliant (i.e.: no tie, running shoes) he should be referred immediately to an Administrator. A student may not be in class out of Dress Code without a note from an Administrator or his or her designate.
• If there are repeated breaches of the Dress Code Policy, consequences will become more serious consistent with our practice of Progressive Discipline. Consequences include contact with parents, counseling, in-school suspension, suspension, withholding of re-registration, or expulsion.