IG听力2020 part3

[00:03.60] Speaker 1 (head teacher) I would like to introduce to the School Council, Chloe, who is the new representative for Year 12.

[00:10.96] Let’s give her a warm welcome.

[00:15.74] There are a number of issues we would like to discuss, and I would like Chloe to open the meeting.

[00:23.45] Speaker 2 (Chloe) Thank you, sir.

[00:25.04] I’ve been asked by my colleagues on the School Council to discuss the issue of school uniform.

[00:30.35] There have been suggestions, particularly from the younger students, that uniform should be abolished.

[00:36.73] You might not like your school uniform, but I think it’s here to stay for a good reason.

[00:42.30] A shirt, tie and blazer may not be the ingredients for my favourite outfit but,

[00:49.40] if I were given the choice, I wouldn’t throw away the idea of a school uniform.

[00:54.25] Wearing a uniform is a badge of pride, it helps create an identity for a school and is an important part of being a school student.

[01:04.35] Speaker 1 (head teacher) As head teacher of this school, I agree wholeheartedly with Chloe.

[01:09.40] A formal school uniform shows that you are part of an organisation.

[01:14.17] Wearing it says that we are all in this together: teaching and learning.

[01:19.76] Also, if you wear a uniform, it is a sign of respect and feeling proud of being part of an organisation.

[01:27.46] Uniforms give students a sense of belonging to a particular school

[01:32.24] and create a sense of identity for the school in the wider community.

[01:37.02] Speaker 2 (Chloe) Our school is one of many that seems to be reverting to a more formal uniform.

[01:43.06] This September I’ll be wearing a blazer instead of my old jumper and polo shirt.

[01:48.44] A number of students have complained but the general opinion in Year 12 is that the old jumpers and polos were ‘childish’

[01:56.86] and after a while look untidy and scruffy.

[02:00.13] Speaker 1 (head teacher) You’re quite right Chloe.

[02:02.52] School uniform teaches students to dress smartly and to take pride in their appearance.

[02:08.11] It helps students to prepare for when they leave school and may have to dress smartly or wear a uniform in the world of work.

[02:16.34] As a teacher, as well as the head teacher,

[02:19.79] I firmly believe that a school uniform can improve learning by reducing distraction,

[02:25.63] sharpening focus on school work and making the classroom a more serious environment,

[02:32.01] allowing students to perform better academically.

[02:35.19] Speaker 2 (Chloe) Perhaps most importantly, a uniform means that students don’t have to worry about peer pressure when it comes to their clothes.

[02:43.17] When everyone is dressed the same, worrying about how you look isn’t so important.

[02:49.18] There’s no competition about being dressed in the latest trend,

[02:52.90] which would put a great deal of financial pressure on students and particularly their parents.

[02:59.10] I agree that having a uniform improves behaviour and increases achievement in a school.

[03:04.95] A strict uniform gives the impression that rules are strict too, perhaps helping maintain a sense of order at school.

[03:13.18] Speaker 3 (Student). Although wearing a school uniform is less expensive than buying a whole wardrobe of outfits,

[03:19.38] a uniform can still be pricy.

[03:22.21] Many schools have a specific supplier,

[03:24.87] and wearing cheaper alternatives can result in punishment

[03:28.32] if the black trousers you’re wearing aren’t exactly the right kind of black trousers.

[03:33.28] Finding a uniform that fits you,

[03:35.83] especially if you’re limited to one shop, can also be a struggle.

[03:39.65] If like me, for example, you’re very tall, you can have problems.

[03:44.97] Speaker 1 (head teacher). Recently, there was a high-level discussion about the cost of a school uniform across the country.

[03:51.34] New guidance was issued to end the practice of a single uniform supplier,

[03:56.12] enabling parents to use different uniform suppliers.

[04:00.01] If a school decides to change their uniform, for example a new emblem or colour,

[04:07.01] changes should be restricted to one or two items, preferably with sewn-on logos.

[04:12.59] Changing from a one-supplier system could help families with the cost of school uniform.

[04:19.76] Speaker 2 (Chloe) Although it might seem a shame to miss out on those two years in the sixth form of dressing as I like at school,

[04:26.13] I welcome the smart dress code.

[04:28.53] Not only does it make getting dressed each morning a lot easier,

[04:32.50] but it sets us sixth formers up as role models for the younger students, and that’s important.

[04:38.62] Has anyone else anything to say?

[04:41.28] Speaker 3 (Student) My sister is a Year 8 student and she likes uniforms

[04:44.37] because everyone is the same and no one can be left out by the way they are dressed.

[04:48.98] She thinks our school uniform looks very smart.

[04:52.43] The uniform might not be what she wears in her own time,

[04:56.24] but it gives her a sense of belonging and takes away the pressure of what to wear.

[05:01.38] She agrees school uniform is not fashionable,

[05:05.64] but that’s exactly why she thinks it should stay.

[05:08.29] I think she has a point.

[05:10.68] Speaker 1 (head teacher) Thank you.

[05:12.01] We can report back to both the school and the governors

[05:16.26] informing them that the decision to keep school uniform is unanimous.

[05:21.04] We will include this in the latest newsletter and announce it at our next assembly.

[05:26.62] Shall we move on to the next item on our agenda?