CPC parents raise concerns about uniform, books cost

Concerns about the cost of uniforms and books in Cross & Passion College have been publicly raised by some parents, following a recent webinar organised by the college with parents of the next Transition Year students, writes Brian Byrne.

In an open letter circulated to local and social media and to public representatives, Elaine Burke and Brian Boyle are asking CPC to implement Department of Education guidelines on reducing costs to parents by allowing 'generic' uniforms and implementing a book rental scheme.

They also expressed their concerns about uniforms being available only in one outlet, in Baltinglass. An issue of fitting older students who need adult sizes in clothing is also noted.

"Parents should be allowed source royal blue jumpers with a better fit and have CPC badge embroidered onto them," Elaine Burke said. "I feel the school should be more focused on the fact that pupils are in school and not all about outward appearance. If they are neat and tidy in the blue and black with maybe just a black fleece with badge."

The initial annoyance was apparently a reference in the webinar to a forthcoming new tracksuit design which would cost €80.

Contacted by the Diary, CPC Principal Joe Leonard said he has been in touch with the parents and 'answered their queries'. He says the school is always mindful of the expenses on parents, and the school uniform is as generic as any. He says a crest is available to be sewn on to any jumper of identical design and colour sourced elsewhere by parents. "Likewise, purchasing and sewing on a crest will be possible for the plain black tracksuit bottoms."

The new tracksuit clothing for the Senior school cycle is currently at the design stage, involving student input and for which there will be a student vote on the final design. "There has been a great buzz about this and the students have really been very positive about being involved in the consultation," Mr Leonard says.

On the need for a consistent uniform, the Principal says that there is a health and safety concern given the open nature of the campus and the use of the grounds by the local community. "For child protection purposes we need to be able to identify quickly when a non-student is on the campus. Indeed, most local schools have a crested school jacket/coat as well."

This morning, Elaine Burke confirmed to the Diary that the college had been in contact, but had not addressed the issue of book rental. "The reduction in school costs isn't just for us, but for the community as a whole," she said. "The school has guidelines [to follow] and we just want to know why they are not implemented."

NOTE: An initial version of this story incorrectly put the cost of the tracksuit bottoms as €80. That is the cost of the whole tracksuit set.

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