Back to School Must Have Essentials And Preparation Checklists

The beginning of another school year is fast approaching which means it’s time to get prepared and gather all the right supplies. But with so many essential things to buy, especially if you have multiple children, this can be stressful.

Take the hassle out of getting ready for school and make shopping simple with our helpful supplies and preparation checklists. Whether your child is returning to school or continuing to learn from home, the right supplies and setup can help boost their productivity and make learning simple. Keep reading to find out the best ways to start school with a bang in 2022.

When Does School Go Back in Australia 2022?

Most schools head back to class in the last week of January or the first week of February, depending on the state you live in. In Victoria, schools will go back on Wednesday the 27th of January.

How To Be Prepared for Back 2 School

The best way to ensure your child is fully prepared and organised for a perfect first day is to prepare in advance. Being ready ahead of schedule will make it easier for your children to slip right back into the school routine without becoming overwhelmed. Below is a checklist to help you fully prepare for day one.

– Take note of the starting date and work backwards: The best way to be fully prepared for school is to work backwards from your child’s starting date and write out everything that needs to be done so you don’t forget anything.
– Get into a routine a week before school starts: Getting into habits before school starts can make transitioning back a lot easier. A week before your children start school you should try to get them to go to bed on time, as rest is incredibly important for children and their development.
– Familiarise yourself with the school’s food requirements: Before you plan lunches and snack food, it’s vital to see if your child’s school has any food requirements or conditions.
– Plan out a lunch menu: Creating a menu of different foods your child can eat, makes it easier to prepare and gives them an opportunity to provide input on what they’d like in their lunches. This way you can ensure they actually eat them.
– Jot down school dates and events: Use a calendar to record any essential school events and dates so both you and your children always know what’s going on.
– Buy all your supplies early: Avoid the last-minute school essentials rush and get in early. Schools usually have a checklist of things each child will need. Use this list to help you work out what outfits, equipment, and stationery to buy.
– Fill out any necessary forms before school starts: Ensure your child doesn’t miss out on anything by correctly filling out all their important information, including medical forms and registration.
– Prepare and pack everything the day before: Keep the morning of school stress-free and fun by getting all the supplies and gear ready to go the day before. Help your child pack their backpack with all their essentials. Layout their uniform and prepare as much of their lunch as possible the night earlier.
– Set an alarm: Finally, remember to set an alarm to be on time for the first day of school.

Tip: Although it might be easier to do things without your child, it’s not always the most effective route. Children have opinions, likes and dislikes and it’s worth consulting your child on what they may want before you buy. Taking your child shopping with you will ensure they’re happy with their supplies and even more excited about starting school.

Back To School Essentials and Supplies

Once you’ve worked out what you need to do before school starts, you can put these plans into action.

If you’re unsure of exactly what you need to buy, don’t worry the checklist below has everything your child could need for school, no matter their age.

– Hygiene products: These days, hygiene is essential with your children, so don’t forget to stock them up on sanitary items, including durable, well-fitted masks and sanitiser. Also, don’t forget safety supplies, such as bandages and packaged tissues.
– Headphones: Everyone needs a good quality pair of headphones for computer work.
– A good home setup: Whether your child is doing school remotely or has homework, having a good home setup can help immensely. A good quality desk, office chair, and computer can not only encourage your child to do homework but help keep everything in one spot.
– Organisational containers: For the perfect home set-up, organisation is key. Some good book & pencil holders, as well as desk organisers, will help divide all their work and make finding supplies easy.
– Get name tags: Personalising your child’s school supplies and equipment prevents things from getting lost. This is especially good to do if you have multiple children at school, so you know what belongs to who.
– Binders and folders: If your child is heading into high school, it might be worth buying them some folders. Senior students have a lot of important documents and take a lot of notes, and binders can help keep this all together for easy access.
– A quality backpack: All children need a durable and long-lasting bag that will fit all their books and supplies. It should be big enough to hold all their essentials and last them for years to come. But the problem is children also change their minds a lot as they grow and mature – so always go for a simple backpack option they will like well into the future.

– Lunch and snack supplies: Every child needs a good quality lunch box that works for all different food types, hot or cold, so don’t forget to ensure they have the right one. Buying containers and a freezer bag for their food rather than using clean wrap can reduce waste and keep food stay fresher for longer. It’s also essential to have a durable water bottle to keep kids hydrated no matter where they are.
– A calendar, pinboard and to-do list for home: Having a calendar with all the important events and things going on can teach your child about proper organisation. A to-do list can help them manage their time more effectively at home and ensure they complete all their homework on time. A pinboard to hold essential newsletters, messages or events means you’ll never lose important documents ever again.
– A good amount of quality notebooks: Whether your child is in primary school or VCE, they’ll always need a good collection of notebooks for each subject.
– The correct uniform: One of the most essential things to buy before school starts is, of course, the proper uniform for every subject, including sport. It can be beneficial to have two of the most basic and most used clothes like tops and multiple pairs of socks.
– New shoes: Every student needs a durable and comfortable pair of school shoes that match their uniform as well as a quality pair of runners for sport.
– Office 365: These days, using Office 365 is a regular part of student’s daily life, so to ensure they can continue their work at home, it’s a great idea to buy Office 365. Not only will it benefit your child, but it’s also an excellent program for the whole family.
– The right stationery: A good quality range of stationery is vital for every child. Younger children need a lot of colourful pens, pencils and crayons to help create masterpieces at school. Whereas older children require a wide range of highlighters, pens, and pencils. Don’t forget about those accessories too, including; erasers, pencil sharpeners, white-out, rulers, scissors and a calculator.

Tip: Save money by buying these items in bulk.

– Sticky notes & notepads: For senior students studying VCE, sticky notes, pads and index cards can help them take notes and remember important information for tests.
– A pencil case: To hold all their essential stationery, every student will need a pencil case.

Tip: To get the most use out of a pencil case and save money, it’s good to opt for a simple-looking pencil case rather than one that matches their current style.

– A USB flash drive: Computer work is a daily part of most children’s learning, so to ensure they can bring their digital work to and from school without problems, a USB drive with heaps of storage is a must.
– A computer or tablet: To complete homework on time, or for home-schooling, every child needs a computer or tablet.
– An Umbrella for rainy days: Keep your child dry, warm, and protected from the rain with a small umbrella they can fit within their school bag.