For at least ten years now, in Sydney, government primary schools have had a no-hat, no-play policy. There is a hat as part of the uniform, and if you don’t have it with you, you can’t play in the playground. It’s extraordinarily cute on masse – particularly the kindergarteners.
I live in an area brimming with high schools (mostly private) and I realised the other day, though, that only very old-fashioned private high-school students seem to wear hats. I was wondering if they wear their hats at school when they have to, or whether it’s just too hard to have compulsory hats in high schools.
Since my boys were old enough to notice, I’ve taken to wearing a hat whenever I make them wear one. Gradually, we’ll probably all modify our behaviours to set a good example to our children, and we’ll be back to everyone (sensibly) wearing hats in the street again.