Uniform
In 2024 we are phasing out our current boys and girls uniform and introducing our new look gender neutral uniform to students.
The new uniform consists of a navy jersey which will be worn by all students replacing the current option of separate girls and boys jerseys. Blue button up school shirts replace the current girls and boys polo white and grey polo shirts and two types of shorts are available for all students. At present there is only the current blue houndstooth skirt option for purchase and we hope to have the new colour skirt option available by 2025. New socks for wear by all students (these are navy with blue stripes) are replacing the current options of separate girls and boys socks. All new uniform items are available to purchase at Academy Apparel in Broadway Avenue.
All students (year 7 & 8) are permitted to wear both the current and the new uniform items in 2024.
For those students who wish to wear a skirt the current blue houndstooth skirt can be worn in the following ways in 2024 only;
with the new shirt, or;
with the original white polo
with the new jersey, or;
with the original blue jersey
with the new socks, or;
with the original white knee high sock option
2024 will look quite differently across the school in terms of uniformity, but this is to be expected when making significant changes to a school uniform. Our primary focus is to ensure that we implement this change as efficiently as possible to ensure that any financial impact on whanau is kept to an absolute minimum.
In 2025 all students will be expected to wear the new school uniform items and the wearing of the original white polos, grey polos, blue jerseys, grey jerseys and sock options will cease.
Other Uniform
Black lace up shoes (compulsory for technology subjects)
Black / brown roman sandals (terms 1 & 4 only)
Navy tights are a winter option (terms 2 & 3)
Plain white or navy blue headband or hair ties
Sunhat (compulsory for outdoors, unless playing sport)
PE Uniform
The PE shorts and top (which has not changed), along with sports shoes and ankle sports socks, must be worn during PE lessons, team sport and while involved in any other school related sports events.
For PE and sports activities, students are required to remove ear studs. It is their responsibility to take care of these.
Girls and Boys school uniforms, sports uniforms, and school jackets are available from:
Academy Apparel, 82 Broadway Ave, Palmerston North.
We have a supply of second hand PE Uniform and School Jackets for sale, please see the school office team.
Code of Appearance
Students attending PNINS are not permitted to wear or display the following:
T shirts or hats with logos or slogans
Clothing that is torn, dirty, or with buttons missing
Clothing that is a fashion statement
Piercing – no piercings other than the earlobe is permitted (this includes nose, tongue, eye, lip or any other type of body piercing)
Make up of any type
Nail polish
If there are differences in interpretation, the principal will make the final decision on an individual basis as to what is permissible or permitted.
Uniform Occasion Requirements
Formal occasions, and representing the school in public:
Full dress uniform to be worn, as specified above, with knee length socks up and shirts tucked in. This includes during attendance at assemblies, school visits or performances, and arriving at or leaving the school grounds.
In class:
All students are required to be in correct school uniform during class and at school assemblies. Shoes are to be removed and left tidily on racks in the corridor. Students must change into the correct sports gear for classroom PE, team sport or lunchtime sports activities, immediately before each event.
Safe cycling - school requirements:
All students cycling to or from school must wear a cycle helmet and fluro vest.
Exceptions to wearing full school Uniform:
After Friday assemblies when students have been dressed up for an item (directions will be given at the end of the assembly).
Students going to school practices out of school grounds, or playing a sport at 4pm.
Sunhat
The school sunhat is part of our summer school uniform, and must be worn when the student is outside (from Labour Weekend to Easter). Hats may be slouch hats or bucket hats only, and must be either plain navy or white. Caps are not part of our school uniform.
School Jacket
A school jacket (windproof and showerproof) can be purchased from Academy Apparel. The jacket is for wearing to and from school, and at sports events. The school jacket can also be worn outside by students on cold days at interval and lunchtime. No other jacket is permitted to be worn at school.
School Scarves
School Scarves may only be worn to and from school, and outdoors at school (terms 2 & 3 only).
Shoes
Regulation black lace-up shoes must be worn in the technology and science rooms. No sandals or sports shoes are permitted in these areas.
Jewellery
Earrings - may be in the form of small plain studs only, with a maximum of one stud per earlobe. Earrings must be small and discrete - no sparkly earrings. No other jewellery is permitted.
Culturally approved jewellery may only be worn hidden from view, underneath the person’s clothing. Culturally approved jewellery must not be worn during PE or sports sessions.
Owners must accept the risk of loss of or damage to all jewellery at school.
No jewellery may be worn during PE or sports lessons.
Undergarments
Undergarments worn should not be visible when wearing the school uniform.
Swimming
The following dress code is required in our school pool.
All swimwear must be made of swimwear material.
No t-shirts, boxer shorts or underwear to be worn
GIRLS
Modest one or two-piece swimwear.
If wearing a two piece – no bikini (bra top) but instead a crop top can be worn.
Swim shorts may be worn but should not reach below the knee.
BOYS
Swim shorts must have an inner lining, and should not reach below the knee. No underpants or boxers are to be worn underneath swimming shorts.
The need for guidelines has been brought about by a number of students wearing inappropriate swimming attire in the school pool and is based on:
Health and Hygiene concerns - no boxers or street wear
Need for modesty – with an element of choice within the above guidelines
Filtration concerns - hair product / fibres blocking the system
Hair
BOYS HAIR is to be off the face, and cut so it is off the shirt collar, and out of the eyes.
GIRLS HAIR is to be off the face and, if long, is to be tied back.
No hair styles that are fashion statements e.g. beaded braids in hair, rats tails, etc.
The student’s natural hair colour only is permitted (no dyes, highlights, streaks).
No hair gel, wax or similar hair styling products.
Only white or navy blue hair ties are to be worn.
If there are differences in interpretation, the principal will make the final decision on an individual basis as to what is permissible or permitted.