After moving from South Africa to New Zealand, I was disheartened to find that Modern Learning Environments, despite their open and flexible design, often lacked the structure and focus needed for genuine learning—especially for students with additional needs. As a teacher trained in evidence-based, structured approaches, I saw students become distracted and disengaged in settings where routines and clear authority were absent. Returning to a traditional, single-teacher classroom at Manukau Christian School has allowed me to teach effectively again, creating a calm, consistent environment where every student can be known, supported, and challenged to thrive.

At Manukau Christian School, students do not wear uniforms, a deliberate decision rooted in the school's commitment to intentional choices in all areas. While acknowledging the valid reasons many schools choose uniforms—such as simplifying routines and reducing peer pressure—the post argues that uniforms don’t necessarily resolve social pressures and that MCS prefers to foster personal responsibility and character in its students.