Students Start Petition After Puffer Jackets Banned at School

Students at a South Island college are revolting against a ban on puffer jackets.

A decision by Motueka High School to outlaw the cosy down-stuffed coats has come under fire by students and parents who have labelled the move "crazy" and "unfair".

Year 11 student Jennifer Guthrie launched a campaign that included a petition to try to reverse the school's stance.

The school said the jackets were not part of the school uniform. Its uniform policy was devised after widespread consultation with students and parents in 2012, and it says puffer jackets were supported "only by a very thin minority".

But Miss Guthrie, 15, claims that the school-sanctioned jackets are "expensive and poorly made", and do not keep students warm.

Winter temperatures for Motueka are regularly in the low single digits.

"Puffer jackets are far more superior when it comes to value for your money and providing warmth," she wrote on the change.org petition to the Board of Trustees, which has attracted more than 360 supporters. Student council member Miss Guthrie says many fellow pupils have asked her to raise the issue with the school. But when she tried to do so, she was "shot down".

Principal Scott Haines said neither the school nor board was aware of any complaints about the puffer ban.

While he praised Miss Guthrie's "passion and motivation", he was dismayed it had been "channelled in the wrong direction".

"She should've made a formal approach to the school board."

Puffer jackets are also not permitted at Hamilton Girls' High or Massey High.

The Ministry of Education says each school is responsible for its own uniform policy."It's not something we have a particular view on although we do think it's important schools communicate very clearly with parents what their requirements are," said Katrina Casey, head of sector enablement and support. "That then allows parents to make informed choices when deciding which school to send their children to."

Story: NZHerald