Why Schools are Switching Uniform Suppliers - and What a Smooth Transition Really Looks Like
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For many schools, choosing a uniform supplier is about much more than clothing. It’s about affordability for families, ease of access, and creating a system that minimises administrative burden.
Three Victorian schools - Aspendale Primary School, Glenallen School, and Westall Primary School – have all transitioned to uniform supplier Equal Threads (run by State Schools Relief). Their experiences reveal clear themes: equity, simplicity, quality, and trust.
Listening to Families: The Trigger for Change
Like many schools, Aspendale Primary School had been with their previous supplier for years, but decided to shift to a new supplier.
“We had used the other supplier for a very long time, but we wanted to look for a greater variety of sizes and greater access for the shop’s opening hours,” said Amelia Mastorakos, Business Manager at the school.
Similarly, at Westall Primary School, the need for change was driven by affordability and reliability concerns:
“We really wanted to put reliability at the front and centre of uniform needs. We also wanted to check we were offering families a great price for uniforms,” says Dexter Siriwardene, Assistant Principal.
Across both schools, the same issues emerged:
- Rising cost pressures on families
- Easier access required to physical uniform supplies
- Operational challenges for staff managing uniform issues
Glenallen School has been using Equal Threads for some time. Their key consideration remains supporting students - especially those facing hardship:
“Using Equal Threads as our preferred uniform supplier means that our full school uniform is also available for welfare orders via State Schools Relief. When I put in orders for disadvantaged families, everything arrives quickly and discretely… that’s really important for us,” says Barb Chamberlain, Assistant Principal.
What Schools Were Looking For
When schools reviewed their uniform suppliers, their decision criteria went beyond price alone.
At Aspendale, the focus was strongly community-driven:
“We wanted people to be able to access and see the uniforms, and make sure the quality was good. We also wanted pricing to be responsible,” adds Amelia Mastorakos.
At Westall, accessibility was critical, especially given the school’s diverse community:
“Parents from non-English speaking backgrounds needed a store where they could speak to someone rather than try and work it out online,” adds Dexter Siriwardene.
Across all three schools, consistent priorities emerged:
- Affordability and value for money
- Quality and durability of uniforms
- Ease of ordering and returns
- Clear communication and responsive customer service
- Accessibility for all families
Why This Supplier Stood Out
For each school, the decision ultimately came down to a supplier that could balance cost, quality, and community values.
At Aspendale, the decision was clear:
“Equal Threads fulfilled the brief. They kept the pricing at a good point, but kept quality… We also liked what State Schools Relief represents for families going through hardship,” Amelia added.
At Westall, the relationship and support offered beforehand played a major role:
“State Schools Relief was already supporting the school - free glasses, uniforms, support for families… We thought let's support them back via Equal Threads. They were easy to work with and very responsive,” added Dexter.
This idea of mutual support and trust, not just transactional supply, was a defining factor.
Managing the Transition: What Worked
A key concern for schools when changing suppliers is how disruptive the change will be. However, all three schools reported smooth and well-managed transitions.
At Westall:
“It was very smooth… Parents were keen for it to be cheaper and easier. We made sure we communicated clearly and gave lots of information,” says Dexter.
At Aspendale, practical support made the difference:
“The onboarding was great. They were very accommodating with the buy-back of stock from the previous supplier… It was a smooth transition for families,” says Amelia.
Even in communities with long-standing habits, resistance was minimal:
“There were families used to the old system, but we didn’t get any pushback.”
Clear communication played a major role, including:
- Newsletters and website links
- Printed pamphlets
- Visual displays for new families
The Impact: Quiet Success
Interestingly, success wasn’t measured by dramatic change, but by the absence of problems.
At Glenallen:
“We’ve had no issues with delivery or quality… We don’t get complaints, which is a good sign families can afford it,” says Barb.
At Westall:
“There haven’t been any complaints… We know it’s working,” adds Dexter.
At Aspendale:
“The uniform is affordable and accessible, and we haven’t had any problems with the transition,” says Amelia.
This “no news is good news” outcome highlights what schools value most:
- Reliability
- Simplicity
- Reduced administrative burden
- Happy, supported families
Would They Recommend It?
The answer across all three schools is a strong yes.
“I would recommend this model… especially for schools with lower socioeconomic or English as a second language communities,” says Dexter.
“It’s good value for money, and parents don’t have issues getting stock,” says Amelia.
“We’ve had no problems at all… I’d definitely recommend it,” boasts Barb.
Final Takeaway
What these schools demonstrate is simple but powerful:
The best uniform supplier isn’t just about uniforms
It’s about equity, access, and trust
Schools that successfully transition suppliers:
- Start by listening to families
- Choose partners who align with their values
- Focus on clear communication during changeover
- Measure success by ease and satisfaction, not complexity
In the end, a smooth uniform program is one that just works—for staff, for parents, and most importantly, for students.
Our Commitment
Equal Threads is the social enterprise of State Schools Relief, supporting students experiencing disadvantage. By shopping with Equal Threads, you are helping to fund essentials for students in need.