The front of the St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School building.

Dress Code

By choosing to attend St. John Paul II (SJPII) Catholic Secondary School, students commit to complying with the school's uniform and dress code. We believe it is important to uphold standards of modesty, neatness, cleanliness, and good taste that reflect our Catholic values.

School Uniform

The compulsory uniform components are:

Pants/Kilt

  • Charcoal grey pleated school dress or casual pants.

  • Charcoal grey flat-front school dress or casual pants.

  • Girls only: school kilt or X-kilt (no shorter than 10cm above the knee and not to be rolled at the waist).

Golf Shirt

  • Short or long-sleeved white or navy school tuck-under SJPII golf shirt with contrasting stripe (navy/white) bearing the school crest.

Footwear

  • Plain black shoes - These must be completely black, including the stitching and soles (no accents, trim, or logos of any type in white or any other colour) and fully enclosed. Students may not wear sandals, clogs, slippers or boots.

  • Navy, black, or grey dress or casual socks. Girls may wear knee socks or tights. Tights must not be transparent (no pantyhose) and footless tights are not allowed.

Shorts

Navy McCarthy Uniforms shorts can only be worn during the designated times that are outlined in the school calendar as set by the principal.

Summer Uniform

The Summer Uniform can be worn from the time period indicated in the school calendar that states "Summer Uniform Begins" to "Summer Uniform Ends".

Students are allowed to wear:

  • Golf shirt (outlined above).

  • Socks - dress or casual, black, navy or grey (outlined above).

  • Shoes - plain black shoes (outlined above).

  • McCarthy Uniforms shorts (outlined above).

Optional Uniform Components

The optional uniform components are:

  • Navy blue zip-polo, fleece polo, v-necked long-sleeved sweater or the sleeveless vest, embroidered with the SJPII crest, available from McCarthy Uniforms. These items are not to be worn alone - they must be worn over the golf shirt outlined above.

*Please note that the Panther athletic sweater is not part of the school uniform.

McCarthy Uniforms

The school uniform components are available only from McCarthy Uniforms. Visit their online store for more information.

Dress Code Expectations

SJPII students are expected to be in full and proper uniform every school day, from the first day of school in September until the end of June examinations, unless specifically told otherwise by staff. Any student out of uniform may be sent home to change.

Students on school excursions are expected to comply with the specified dress requirements indicated on the permission form.

Civvies Days

Civvies days are held periodically. On these days, students are expected to dress in casual attire that is appropriate for a school setting (no bare backs, shoulders or mid-riffs, no décolletage, or clothing with inappropriate messages or graphics).

Uniform Requirements

  • Students must remain in full uniform throughout the school day, including lunch, study periods, and detentions.

  • Shirts and ties are no longer part of the uniform and are not permitted.

Headwear

  • No headwear is allowed inside the school. This includes caps, hats, durags, headbands, bandanas, scarves, etc.

  • Confiscated items may be picked up from the Vice Principal’s office at the end of the day (first offense). Repeat offenses may result in longer confiscation and further consequences.

Outerwear

  • Coats, jackets, and other outerwear are not to be worn inside the school.

Undershirts

  • Only plain, all-white t-shirts (no patterns, logos, or graphics) may be worn under uniform tops and must be fully tucked in.

  • Long-sleeved shirts may not be worn under short-sleeved uniform items.

Belts

  • Belts must be plain and solid black.

Uniform Appearance Standards

Students are expected to wear their uniforms neatly and with pride:

  • Uniforms must not be altered.

  • Clothing must be properly fitted—not oversized.

  • Pants and kilts must be worn at the waist.

  • All uniform pieces must be clean and in good condition.

  • Excessive jewelry, large pendants, contrasting belts, sashes, or other adornments are not permitted.

Prohibited Items

  • Gang-related items (e.g., bandanas, grills, or any clothing/jewelry associated with gang activity) are strictly prohibited on school property and at all school-related events.

Consequences

Administrative Discretion

Decisions regarding appropriate accessories, grooming, and overall appearance are at the discretion of the school administration.

Uniform Violations

Students who arrive without full and proper uniform are in violation of the dress code and will be sent to the main office for a violation slip. These incidents are recorded, and consequences are applied accordingly and may include:

  • Warning

  • Detention

  • Being sent home

  • Suspension

The response will depend on the nature of the violation, the number of previous offences, and the specific circumstances.

Religious Accommodations

Students who wear head coverings for religious reasons may request an exemption through the administration. Approved head coverings must be solid black or navy blue.

Dress Code in TCDSB Schools

All Secondary schools within the jurisdiction of the Board shall adopt a Uniform Dress Code.

Parents are encouraged to review the local dress code at their child’s school and to direct their questions to the principal of the school.