A designer from a New Zealand action sports and streetwear clothing company helped to create Cambridge High School’s new uniform.
Malakai Eade has taken off the blazer to profile the Year 12 and 13 shirt. Anja Leander is still wearing the jumper to show the range together.
“We worked with the design team from SAS – the designer was from streetwear label Ilabb – to create the new range,” principal Greg Thornton said.
“It has landed well so far with positive response to the design. I am getting really good feedback from the students in particular. They love the new design, the new look and feel of the fabric.”
The makeover began in late 2023, after the school’s board got feedback from students unhappy with the existing uniform.
“Feedback from students was a uniform that didn’t work in so many ways,” Thornton said.
“Once we started engaging, we realised a lot was wrong with it – jackets that weren’t warm or waterproof. Polos, white shirts, trousers and the fit, cut and fabric were all wrong.
“Across our sports codes we had a such a variety of uniforms that it was really difficult to see who represented CHS across the codes. So it became obvious we needed to re-design the look.”
He said the re-design created a chance to tell the school’s story and build on the belonging and connection theme in its house system, while modernising garments.
The new uniform was split into a junior uniform with navy shirts and blouses for students in years 9-11, and a senior uniform with light blue shirts and blouses for year 12 and 13 students.
Fabric had stretch to improve comfort and moveability.
Shorts were slightly longer, trousers more tailored, and skirts A-line for a better fit.
A new jersey brings the navy and light blue colours of the junior and senior uniforms together, “visually tying together the year levels”.
The school jacket is now fleece-lined and waterproof. There is also a dark navy blazer, not for purchase, which will be gifted to members of the student executive.
Thornton said students had been canvassed throughout the re-design process and their feedback incorporated.
“This will be a much better uniform, and we have options to help families with the finances if that is needed,” he said.
New uniform items will be compulsory for years 9, 12 and 13 in 2026 and optional for years 10 and 11. From 2027 they will be compulsory for all students.
Left to right are Anja Leander (wearing the new school jumper and the Year 12 & 13 uniform) Peperereao James Kawamura (wearing the Year 9 to 11 shirt with the Tupenu or Ie Faitaga) and Malakai Eade (wearing the Year 12 & 13 uniform with the Head Student blazer).
