Pupil sent home on St David's Day for wearing Wales rugby shirt
A LLANELLI pupil was sent home from school on St David's Day for wearing a Welsh rugby jersey — sparking a furious reaction from her mum.
Coedcae Comprehensive pupil Yasmin Gibbard was told to change her clothes yesterday as they didn't fit in with the school's normal uniform.
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Pictured is 11-year-old Yasmin Gibbard, from Llanelli, who was sent home from Coedcae Comprehensive School for wearing a Welsh rugby shirt on St David's Day, with her mother, Sharon. RM290210A-001
School bosses said it was important to strike a balance between learning and celebrating the day, but 11- year-old Yasmin's mother, Sharon Gibbard, was outraged.
"When I was called by the school to say that I would need to pick Yasmin up, I couldn't believe it," said the mother-of-three, of Marged Street.
"Shouldn't the day be celebrated by the schools in the town?
"It's wrong — we live in Wales and my daughter can't even wear a rugby top to school on St David's Day."
Coedcae head teacher Pete Spencer said a balance had to be taken between normal school lessons and St David's Day celebrations.
"We usually only have non-uniform days if we are fundraising for a good cause," he said.
"As well as some very successful celebrations, normal lessons did take place and pupils were expected to be properly dressed."
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Comments
by Megan, Bonymaen
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 8:01AM
“Whilst I fully support the idea of pupils wearing uniform to school for many reasons, surely what they wear doesn't affect what they learn. Pride in your heritage is our right, and should be encouraged. Whilst most of our primary schools actively encourage the wearing of traditional clothes/rugby/football kits, it does not follow through to senior school. I do believe one school though allowed pupils to wear rugby shirts if they wished. Why don't Headteachers allow the children to wear either uniform or rugby shirts for this one very special day each year? They may find that it would actually enhance learning rather than hinder it. Saying that though, it would have to be officially allowed by the individual school, and not just pupils taking it on themselves. Perhaps Yasmin should get her school council rep to bring it up in their next meeting and fight for the right to wear the shirts for next year.”