The check-list every parent needs when starting the school year.

I just received the ‘requisites list’ for all of my children ahead of the school year. I have children starting in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 5 this year and the three long lists of necessary school supplies have left me feeling a little faint.

The Kindergarten list is short and a bit cute. Along with the necessary stationery, they also need wet wipes and “a spare pair of underpants in a plastic bag, to be kept in their school bag”.

I wet myself in Kindergarten. I really do not wish this fate on my daughter.

“I want my daughter to slip in seamlessly.”

By Year 1 the list is getting a little longer. They need the necessary stationery as well as paper towels (no wet wipes for this lot) and a paint shirt. “One of mum or dad’s old t-shirts makes a great paint shirt”, apparently.

Just don’t give them one of Daddy’s ‘good’ shirts. Or there will be hell to pay.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Big W. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.

Then, in Year 5, they basically need to bring the entire Big W stationery section to school, as well as a “USB memory stick, 2GB essential” and ear phones, “not for use while the teacher is yelling”.

I made that last part up. Teachers don’t yell anymore. Not like back in my day…

But the rest of each of the lists are pretty similar and seem easy enough to find. I’m not a fan of the fact that some schools asks for actual brands of certain items like you’re a bad parent if you buy your children anything other than a Bostick glue stick. Thankfully they are usually on special, and come in different colours which the kids find amusing.

But just in case your children’s school isn’t as super efficient and mega organised as mine, here are the basics you’ll need to get ready for the school year. And here’s a tip…I always buy extras, especially of items that are on special, and put them away for later in the year. The school supplies never last until term 4. It’s good to check in on anything your kids’ need at the end of each term.

“More pencils mum.”

“My sharpener broke.”

“I threw my rubber at Michael and now I can’t find it.”

And you’ll need some stuff for them to use to do their homework. So keep an extra set at home.

Here are the items you’ll need to hunt and gather:

All kids will need…

1. Twist up crayons.

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2. Glue sticks.

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3. Coloured pencils.

4. Lead pencils.

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5. Decorated pencil cases.

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6. Scissors.

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7. Erasers.

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8. Enclosed sharpener.

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And for older kids…

1. Blue, black and red pens for those lucky children with a ‘pen licence’.

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2. Textas.

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3. Highlighters.

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4. Macquarie Dictionary.

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5. A plastic display folder.

6. Plastic folder for notes.

7. A clear ruler.

8. Post-it notes (not sure why they need these).

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9. A clipboard.

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Easy enough, right? Except I have to pretty much get three of everything. That’s why shortly after visiting the stationery department and then the book department and then the computing department (for the USB and headphones) you should make a beeline for the chocolate department and buy yourself some nerve-calming medicine.

For me, my medicine of choice is after-dinner-mint-style chocolate which, contrary to popular belief, can be consumed at any time of the day and is particularly useful if consumed in the car on the way home.

What school supplies do your kids need before school starts?

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BIG W has Australia’s favourite national brands and the lowest prices on everything for the kids going back to school. View our catalogues online or shop in store for all your back to school needs. Visit www.bigw.com.au for more information or sign up to our newsletter here.