Charleen could try talking to her guidance tutor or year head, or getting her mum or dad to have a word with her teacher next Parents’ Night. Those things may help, but often, all you can do is accept that you just won’t hit it off with every teacher you come across. Luckily, you won’t be stuck with them forever!

Dear Cathy

I really identify with your book Driftwood. I like to dress a little bit differently, but the teachers at my school assume you’re going to grow up to be an axe-murderer if you dare to have a long fringe or a liking for black clothes. It’s so unfair! There are kids here who smoke in the school loos and do all kinds of dodgy stuff, and the teachers don’t even notice!

Binni, age 13

Hey

Why do teachers go crazy if you wear the tiniest bit of eyeshadow or vamp up the school uniform with a pair of lacy tights or a hipster belt? What’s wrong with wanting to be cool?

Bexx, age 12

Binni has a point. Some teachers panic at the first sign of black eyeliner and dipping fringes, assuming that a taste for doom, gloom and antisocial behaviour will follow. Er, no!!! Young people just love to express themselves through clothes, and a pair of fingerless gloves are very unlikely to lead to a life of crime!

I agree with Binni – a little more time spent on sorting the real problems that exist in every school and a little less on hassling kids for wearing Converse or dyeing their hair might not be a bad thing. But that’s just my opinion… and when I was a teacher, I sometimes got into trouble myself for not enforcing the uniform rules! Oops!

Why do teachers make such a big deal of school uniform? Well, all schools are different, but many believe that a strict school uniform code makes all pupils equal and creates a strong, smart identity for the school.

If Binni and Bexx don’t agree with the uniform rules at their schools, they could try to start a discussion with the senior teachers and see whether things can be changed. Perhaps the school is looking for a uniform update? Get talking, get involved… you never know what you can achieve until you try!

Work It Out

Hey Cathy

At school I’m finding it really hard to keep up with the work. I struggle with things my friends find easy, and I can’t cope with all the homework because most of the time I didn’t understand the classwork! I can’t tell anyone about this – I’m too embarrassed.

Wendy, age 12

Hi Cathy

I hate maths. I just can’t do it at all, no matter how hard I try. Now my mum has suggested getting a private tutor and I can’t bear the thought of that. I wish I didn’t have to do it!

Jessica, age 13