Uniforms

The official dress code of Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School is a result of discussion with faculty, students, parent council and administration. Our school uniform is compulsory. All students are to wear the uniform during the school day. The school colours are green and gold.

During the 2021 - 2022 school year, headwear will be under review across all DCDSB secondary schools pending consultation with community partners and stakeholders. All Dress Code infractions will be addressed with discretion and respect.

At this time, the school administration is asking all families, especially families of incoming Grade 9's to register with McCarthy uniforms and prepare to shop on-line. Please select the following link to be redirected:  McCarthy School Uniforms.  

 

School uniform

Students are required to wear the uniform properly. The uniform will be kept clean and in good repair and worn neatly. Uniform clothing needs to be sized appropriately: neither too large nor immodestly tight.

Boy's Uniform 

The following items of the boy's uniform must meet specific requirements.

 

Items of the uniformRequirements

Pants

Shorts*

Grey pants - McCarthy Only label must be displayed. Pants must be worn around the waist and the waist band is not to be rolled and open.

Black Walking Shorts - McCarthy Only with label on display *may be worn from May 1st up to and including the Friday before Thanksgiving weekend.  Winter uniform begins after Thanksgiving and is in affect until May 1st when McCarthy Shorts can be worn again.

First Layer Shirt

Only McCarthy's Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School embroidered logo white or black long or short-sleeved golf shirt may be worn..

Second Layer Sweater

Only McCarthy's green zip sweatshirt, v-neck pull over, v-neck vest, Full Zip Fitted Jacket, with DO'C embroidered crest may be worn. Sweaters are not mandatory at DO'C however, if worn, it must be worn with the DO'C golf shirt underneath.  There is no exception.

No other sweater of any kind is permitted.

Footwear

Only low cut, solid black shoes are acceptable. No other colour or design shall be on the shoe. Laces must be black and plain. The shoes must have a full back and closed toe. Boots, sandals, flip-flops, clogs and other styles of slip on shoes are not permitted. For safety reasons, shoes must be worn at all times in the building, including lunchtime. Please inquire, with the administration, if there is any question about the appropriateness of footwear PRIOR to making a purchase.

Socks

must be solid black, grey, white or navy socks.  

 
Girl's Uniform 

The following items of the girl's uniform must meet specific requirements.

Items of the uniformRequirements

Kilt

Grey with green plaid - purchased from McCarthys.  Must be worn with solid black, green, navy or white knee socks/tights. The kilt must be properly hemmed and cannot be worn more than 10cm from the middle of the kneecap. Failure to wear the kilt, as specified, may result in the loss of privilege to wear this uniform item; pants only will be allowed for the remainder of the semester.

Pants

Shorts *

Grey pants - McCarthy Only label must be displayed. Pants must be worn around the waist and the waist band is not to be rolled and open.

Black Walking Shorts - McCarthy Only with label on display *may be worn from May 1st up to and including the Friday before Thanksgiving weekend.  Winter uniform begins after Thanksgiving and is in affect until May 1st when McCarthy Shorts can be worn again.

Hosiery/Socks

with Kilt - tights or knee socks in solid black, green, navy or white.

with Pants or shorts* only solid white, black or grey socks that are above the ankle may be worn.  

Patterned tights, pantyhose, sheer tights, footless leggings and ankle socks are NOT permitted.

Foot wear

Only low cut, solid black shoes are acceptable. No other colour or design shall be on the shoe. Laces must be black and plain. The shoes must have a full back and closed toe. Boots, sandals, flip-flops, clogs and other styles of slip on shoes are not permitted. For safety reasons, shoes must be worn at all times in the building, including lunchtime. Please inquire, with the administration, if there is any question about the appropriateness of footwear PRIOR to making a purchase.

First Layer Shirt

Only McCarthy's Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School embroidered logo white or black long or short-sleeved golf shirt may be worn.

Second Layer Sweater

Only McCarthy's green zip sweatshirt, v-neck pull over, v-neck vest, Full Zip Fitted Jacket, with DO'C embroidered crest may be worn. Sweaters are not mandatory at DO'C however, if worn, it must be worn with the DO'C golf shirt underneath.  There is no exception.

No other sweater of any kind is permitted.

 
Items that Can be Worn with the Uniform 

The following items MAY BE WORN with a student's uniform.

  • Belts: If belts are worn they must be plain and black. No distracting or offensive buckles are
        permitted. No other makeshift belts are permitted (shoe laces etc).

  • Jewelry: Must be neat, respectable and inoffensive. No spiked or studded bracelets. Necklaces and earrings
        are permitted.

  • Undershirts: Only short-sleeved PLAIN WHITE t-shirts are permitted under the school shirt. Plain means
        "without any decoration or text." The length of the sleeve of the undershirt must not exceed the length of the
        sleeve of uniform shirt.
 
Items that Cannot be Worn with the Uniform 

The following items MAY NOT BE WORN with the school's uniform.

  • Bandanas/Headbands: Bandanas are not permitted and will be confiscated if seen. Parents may come to
        the school to retrieve the item. No wide head or hair bands are permitted. Head scarves are permitted if worn
        for religious purposes and are worn daily.  Must be a solid colour of black, green or beige.

  • Hats: Hats and hooded sweaters may not be worn in the school building from time of arrival for the school
        day to time of departure. No athletic hoodies or club hoodies are to be worn unless permission has been
        given.

  • Outer Clothing: Students must remove outer clothing as soon as possible after arrival to school, and put
        outer clothing on as late as possible when about to depart from school. Outer clothing must be stored in the
        locker, not taken to classrooms.

Administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of all non-school uniform items.

 
Summer Uniform 

First layers of the uniform are to be worn every day. Second layers are optional, but if you are cold, you must wear the DO'C Uniform school approved second layer (they are all GREEN). No hoodies or other sweatshirts are permitted.

For the girls, knee socks may be worn from May 1 up to and including the Friday before Thanksgiving long weekend.

Girls and boys may wear McCarthy walking shorts (BLACK) from May 1 up to and including the Friday before Thanksgiving long weekend with socks as designated above.

 
Spirit Days 
Throughout the school year, students may be allowed to share their school spirit by wearing a Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School sweater, jersey, hoodie or logo item in place of a second layer.  These days are announced in advance by Administration.  Only Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School items will be allowed on these spirit wear days. 
Non-Uniform Days

Non-uniform days are voluntary and often carry a donation of $2.00 which is part of the schools fundraising and community outreach.  Each non-uniform day is targeted towards a school support charity or event which will be announced over the announcements.  

Students who CHOOSE to participate in a non-uniform day are required to donate the $2.00 otherwise they are expected in full uniform.  Students who do not comply may be sent home, have a parent come and bring them their uniform or Administration may lend them the required pieces, if the student is unable to make the necessary arrangement.  

On non-uniform days students must be dressed in clothing appropriate for a Catholic secondary school. Parent and guardians will be contacted and students may be sent home if dressed inappropriately. No head wear is permitted and shorts are not permitted before May 1.