Back to school costs sting
While teens prepare for another year of high school and teachers set up their classrooms, it’s the parents who feel the financial burden of the first school term.
Skirts, jackets, shirts, jerseys, a tie, footwear and, the most expensive item – a school blazer – all add up.
‘‘And that’s even before the stationery and books,’’ mother Ruby Priscilla said.
The 28-year-old mum to four has a daughter who is Year 10 at Hamilton Girls’ High School. She estimated the uniform cost will be around $600.
There is a compulsory junior school blazer and a senior school blazer, each for $145.
Priscilla and her family moved to Hamilton from Kaitaia to give the children a better education. The family are currently on one income and Priscilla is expecting twins in July.
‘‘I was shocked. I thought, how are we going to afford that?
‘‘The uniforms are expensive, especially when you end up having more than one kid. It adds up.’’
She said it has been a dramatic change, adapting to the new city.
‘‘Rent is high, and stationery in Kaitaia was $8! So coming from that to this, it’s like, what?’’
But the most expensive school blazer in Hamilton for a public high school is at Rototuna Senior High School. A blazer there will cost parents $250; however, it is not compulsory.
NZ Uniforms provides the uniforms for the new north Hamilton school.
Chief executive David Bunnell said the retail price of the blazer is ‘‘competitively priced when compared to what the market offers’’.
‘‘Blazers of this retail quality often retail for up to several hundred dollars,’’ he said.
‘‘The retail price of this blazer is offered at a lower cost to make it more affordable for parents, which is in line with our company cause and values.’’
He said not all blazers are the same and that the Rototuna Senior High School blazer represents excellent value for money. It carries a ‘‘very high specification to design, fabric, construction and workmanship’’.
‘‘This blazer will last for many years and look good for many years, provided the care instructions are followed.’’
Most high schools in Hamilton have a school blazer.
St John’s College has a blazer under Year 13 for $220, followed by Waikato Diocesan School with compulsory navy blazers for $190.
It will cost $180 for a blazer from Hamilton Boys’ High School, but is not compulsory. The school states in its website the blazer is for ‘‘hostel and sports representative travelling uniform’’.
Fraser’s is also not compulsory and costs $160.
Sacred Heart Girls’ College’s is compulsory and costs $185.
Fairfield College, Melville High School and Hillcrest High School did not show a school blazer on their websites under uniform.
Most schools stated there might be second-hand options. That’s unlikely at Rototuna Senior High School, given it’s a new school.
‘‘The girls do look so smart in them,’’ Priscilla said. ‘‘Once my girl finishes, we want to offer it to another family that can’t afford it.’’