PREPPED AND READY FOR SCHOOL
EMMETT Aubrey, Aubrey 6, 6 is ready tto stept up to Year 1 at The Cathedral School this year. Part 1 of our back-to-school series:
REAMS of photocopy paper, tissues, whiteboard markers, hand sanitiser, googly eyes, sequins and even a 1kg bag of flour – these are some of the items Townsville parents are ticking off book lists this year.
A look at Townsville primary schools’ book lists for 2019 show as well as exercise books and pencils, parents are expected to bring along a number of extra supplies for “wider classroom use”.
The quantity of supplies vary widely across the board, with some schools adopting a “bring a few and replace what you need” attitude while another stipulates each Year 1 pupil must bring along exactly 12 large Bostik glue sticks and even their own hand soap.
Most schools’ book lists for 2019 include reams of A4 photocopy paper, with Kirwan State School asking parents to supply three reams of paper per child in all grades.
Oonoonba State School also asks parents to provide three reams of A4 photocopy paper per student, as well as two boxes of tissues for most year levels.
The number of glue sticks you have to bring on Day 1 at Oonoonba vary depending on year level; 10 sticks are needed for Year 1 students, eight for preppies and just two in Year 6.
Kelso State School is also a big fan of adhesives. You’ll need 10 glue sticks if you’re going into grades one and two, and eight if you’re just starting out in Prep.
Vincent State School parent Kim Williams was fed up with the number of glue sticks her Year 4 daughter needed to bring to school each year and finally had enough.
“My daughter’s book list every year since she started prep has always been six to eight glue sticks,” Ms Williams said. “When I put my foot down about it to the teacher last year I got two packs of glue sticks back.
“Essentially what parents are doing is buying to supplement the kids whose parents don’t.”
The number of HB pencils needed is markedly different depending on school: on average, students require about 12-24 lead pencils to see them through the school year.
Pushing pencils
At North Shore State School, however, Year 2 pupils look like they’ll be doing some serious writing (or accidentally eating a few) with an epic 96 HB pencils required for the year. They’ll also need eight erasers to last the year.
North Shore SS operates under a voluntary financial contribution scheme, with $50 per student going towards supplying laptops, ipads and interactive whiteboards.
They also have the most glue sticks required for public schools across the region, with 12 sticks needed for Year 1 pupils, 10 for Year 2 and 8 for preppies. Three packets of whiteboard markers are needed for prep students at North Shore, and Year 1 pupils are asked to bring two whiteboard erasers each.
A recorder is also a must for Years 3-6 students, sure to provide hours of homework renditions of Hot Cross Buns and Three Blind Mice for the year ahead.
Boxes of tissues are also a regular addition to Townsville school book lists, with most schools listing one or two boxes – but they’re expecting a few more tears on the first day at Townsville West State School, with four boxes on the 2019 list.
Aitkenvale State School is a similar story, with Year 5 students requiring four boxes of tissues. It obviously followed a tough year, looking at the number of erasers Year 4 students are required to buy. Most grades at the school only need one or two for the year, but in Year 4 you’ll need six packs of two erasers, assuming students go through an eraser a month.
It’s an easier time in prep though, with those starting school at Aitkenvale SS required to bring a 1kg bag of plain flour and two boxes of cream of tartar in addition to books and coloured pencils.
Many public schools offer parents resources or stationery levies to cover supplies.
Townsville South State School ask for a $20 stationery levy which provides most items including 2½ reams of paper per student, a small charge for lead pencils, $17-$20 for books and $10-$25 for paint and craft materials.
A few items are not included in these levies and will have to be bought by parents – including eight large glue sticks for most grades. Eight whiteboard markers are needed for Prep-year 4 and six for Years 5-6.
Personal hygiene
Hermit Park State School has a $75 resource levy for students in Years 1-5 that covers most supplies, but one thing that isn’t included and parents have to supply – you guessed it, glue sticks. And you’ll need 10 if you’re going into Year 1.
Heatley State School also has a Student Resource Scheme costing $32 a student for one year which includes things like reams of A4 paper, paints, scissors and additional glue sticks.
At Mundingburra State School, preppies will have to supply their own hand soap; one pump pack per child according to the book list.
Garbutt State School is also a fan of the personal hygiene standards, with all grades having hand sanitiser on their book lists for 2019.
Rasmussen State School doesn’t have a book list, with a blanket fee of $80 going towards all school resources including books and stationery.
If you’re going into Year 6 at Currajong State School, you’ll need nine highlighters; three pink, three green and three blue; and East Ayr State School students also need to top up the whiteboard markers supply: 10 of either black or blue at a cost of $29.90.
And Annandale State School parents need to pay a $30 craft fee going towards buying coloured paper, sequins, pipe cleaners, glitter, googly eyes and more. The book lists aren’t restricted to public schools, either.
Ryan Catholic College requires parents to provide one to two boxes of tissues per student, as well as high schoolers supplying their own stationery.
Other items include safety glasses if you’re doing biology, chemistry, physics and tech metal/wood.
You’ll also need a box of tissues starting prep at St Anthony’s Catholic College in 2019, as well as a pump bottle of hand sanitiser. In Year 1 at St Anthony’s you’ll need 10 sticks of glue, two boxes of tissues and four whiteboard markers.
St Margaret Mary’s College students don’t stipulate exact amounts of stationery items.
Students going into Year 7 at St Patrick’s College also have a book list, including just one glue stick and two HB pencils.
Like many schools across Townsville, students are required to bring their own laptop to school – perhaps explaining the need for only two pencils for the year.