Yellowknife (Oct 18/04) - Every generation of high school students seems to clash with authority when it comes to one particular form of self-expression -- fashion.

The situation is no different at Sir John Franklin high school, where students sat captive at a recent assembly as they were informed of additions to the school's list of clothing no-nos.

Hats joined the ranks of forbidden fashions, next to T-shirts with obscene messages and other clothing that may be deemed inappropriate. Religious headgear is exempted. Hooded sweatshirts are allowed as long the hoods aren't worn over the students' heads.

"Students are expected to dress in good taste, to a standard that is appropriate for an educational institution," reads the 2004/2005 daytimer.

Security issues prompted principal Anne-Mieke Cameron and other staff to decide on the ban.

Kids hiding under sweatshirt hoods and hats aren't easily picked up by the security cameras dispersed throughout the building. Staff need to be able to identify students on camera.

"For us, it was about safety and security," said Cameron.

The ban goes along with staff expectations of appropriate clothing for school activities, as well. That means no baggy jeans in the wood shop, no bare midriffs in the welding shop and gym clothes for gym class.

"It's a very reasonable expectation. Dress appropriately for the workplace," said Al McDonald, assistant principal.

While staff didn't notice a wave of discontent rising up among the student body during the assembly, a quick walk down a hallway later revealed the rankled emotions of the "oppressed" teens.

"I thought it was stupid. Nobody likes it," said Dustin Arychuk, a Grade 12 student.

"It's not the hat rule. It's the reason. What kind of reason is a security issue?" said 17-year-old Chris Dipasquale.

Other students' sense of injustice was piqued by the thought of yet another rule to live by.

"The school is getting so restricted. What if you're having a bad hair day?" wondered Karlee Bell, 14. "You can't cover up at all."

Bell, along with a group of her friends, said she doesn't want to be told how to dress, though she can appreciate staff's request for them to dress "appropriately".

Holly LeDrew figures students should be able to dress how they like, as long as their shirts meet their pants and there's no underwear hanging out, she says.

A few hats can still be glimpsed walking through Sir John Franklin, but a quick cue from staff is all it takes to stem the misdemeanour, according to Cameron.

Despite the grumbling, there's no real rebelliousness in sight.