School bag – Think about what your child will need to carry in the bag each day and choose one that’s comfortable to wear.

Lunch box – Lunch boxes come in many different styles so shop around for one that matches your child’s appetite and preferences. Don’t forget to include a small slicker pad to keep everything cool.

Drink bottle – Always ensure you have a backup drink bottle as these are easily the most lost school item! We love double-walled stainless steel drink bottle that keep drinks cooler for longer and are incredibly durable.

Exercise books – Check with your child’s school for a list of exercise books that your child needs.

Stationery – Pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, glue stick, pencil sharpener, highlighters, whiteboard pens, coloured pencils, protactor, compass – got them all? Make sure your child has a pencil case that’s big enough for all they need.

School uniform – Now is the time to check if your child still fits into their school uniform from last year (ie, not the morning of the first day of school!).

School shoes – Your child’s school shoes are going to get a mega workout! If the school has a uniform, they are often very particular about the shoes that kids should wear so check the requirements carefully. Don’t be tempted to buy a size larger than your child needs in order to allow some room to grow into them. It’s important for your child’s comfort and development that they have correctly fitting shoes.

Sports/PE uniform – Time to rummage through last year’s PE bag that probably hasn’t left the bedroom floor or cupboard! Line-drying washing will help to freshen it up.

Sports shoes – This is the one I always forget! Those trainers the kids have been thrashing all summer holidays probably aren’t going to be up to a term of sport too so check if you need to grab some new ones.

Socks – If you’re not bound to uniform socks, consider purchasing ones with arch support and cushioned soles for added comfort. Don’t forget those sports socks too!

BYOD – If your child needs to bring their own digital device, check with the school before you purchase to ensure you are buying something with the minimum specifications needed. Laptops are great but the most expensive. Chromebooks have smaller storage but cost less than a full laptop. Tablets are usually the cheapest option but often are insufficient for high school classes.

Essential tech – Our modern, connected classrooms often require more than just a BYOD. Your child may require headphones, a calculator, mouse, etc. Check with your school for what is required for your child’s selected subjects. USB flash drives are handy for sharing projects.

Bus/train pass – Check with other school parents for the best way to purchase passes (ie term passes or loading a card). Check if there’s credit on your child’s transport pass and read the terms for the pass to ensure that it is still valid, especially for high school students who may no longer automatically qualify for a child’s rate.

Sunscreen and sunhat – Many schools will have a ‘no hat, no play’ policy. Check with the school if they have a school hat first. Pop a small sunscreen tube or roll-on into your child’s bag during summer so they can top-up when needed.

Name clothing and shoes – Actually, just name everything … EVERYTHING! If writing on a name isn’t suitable for an item, label makers are a parent’s best friend!

Lunch recipes – Get a head start on filling those lunch boxes by grabbing some lunch box inspiration and recipes (from the Kidspot Kitchen, of course) and consider doing some bulk baking and freezing prior to school starting.

Face mask – If your child’s school requires a face mask to be worn (or you prefer your child to wear one), it pays to take a couple to last throughout the day and a small bag to bring home the used ones.