Back To School

Take the panic out of packing bags with the Back To School 2023 collection at David Jones. 

Showcasing back-to-school supplies from leading Australian and International brands, this collection has everything you need to stay organised this term and beyond. 

Discover ‘welcome back to school’ essentials such as backpacks , clothing , school shoes , children’s books , stationary , and tech . Featured brands include Academy Rookie , Ellesse , Clarks , Skip Hop , Frank Green , and Trunki .

Shop Back to School supplies and essentials online at David Jones and enjoy free express delivery on orders over $100, or opt for click & collect.

FAQs

When Do Kids Go Back to School 2024? 

In Australia, Term 1 back-to-school dates differ from state to state.

• ACT: 30 January
• NSW: 1 February
• NT: 31 January
• QLD: 22 January
• SA: 29 January
• TAS: 8 February
• VIC: 29 January
• WA: 31 January

 

With these term 3 dates looming, it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school essentials. 

How to Prepare for Back to School

The start of the school year doesn’t have to feel frenzied. With the right supplies and a bit of planning, you can head into term 1 feeling organised and in control.

 

Here are our top four tips on how to prepare for the back-to-school rush. 

 

Prep the Night Before

Minimise stress in the mornings by preparing for the day in the evening beforehand.

Get in the habit of making lunches and preparing snack boxes the night before so that you can savour an extra few minutes of sleep in the morning.

Two weeks before the start of term, bring bedtimes forward and set morning alarms. This will ease children into their school routine and prevent any shocks to the system on the first day. 

Whether your child wears regular clothes or a uniform to school, have their clothes laid out in their bedroom ready to go. You might like to start doing this a week before school starts to start habit-forming early. 

Set a Morning Routine

If you have school-aged children, you’ll know mornings are typically the most frazzled time of the day. 

Setting a regular wake-up and breakfast routine will help to get things moving in the mornings. 

For younger children, ensure they wake up at the same time every morning and set up a clear routine. 

Have their clothes laid out in their bedroom the night before school and their breakfast items ready for preparation and eating as soon as they’re dressed. 

Pop their snacks and lunches on the table (either packed in a lunchbox or ready for them to pack, depending on how you do things in your home) ready for them to pack themselves or simply slip into their bags. 

Keep shoes and jackets by the front door for easy access on the way out. 

For older children, help them set an alarm clock so they can begin managing their own mornings.  

Shop for Back-to-School Supplies

Back-to-school shopping can feel like a monumental task, especially when trying to pick what your children will like best.

Involve your kids in the back-to-school shopping experience to minimise chaos down the line. 

Use the school supply list as a starting point, and add anything else you might need (clothes, socks, shoes, a bag, a lunchbox). 

Set spending limits for each item and allow them to choose what they like. You can do this with ease online, minimising time spent in busy stores. 

Make sure you pick up all supplies prior to the first day of term. Resist the ‘I’ll get it later’ approach. Trust us, when the term is underway, you’ll be glad to avoid those late-night dashes to the shops! 

What Back-to-School Supplies to Buy

Not sure where to begin when shopping for back-to-school supplies?

Prevent overwhelm (and unnecessary purchases) by collating a categorised list of supplies you’ll need.

We recommend using the following categories: 

1. Stationery
2. Lunches
3. Tech
4. Bag

Once you’ve listed each category, break down what items you need within each category. For example: 

1. Stationery: notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, ruler, stapler, pencil sharpener, highlighters, plastic folders, glue, scissors, calculator, pencil case. 
2. Lunch: lunchbox, Tupperware, drink bottle, thermos, knife/fork/spoon set.
3. Tech: computer, mouse, keyboard, relevant cords, USBs. 
4. Sports: sports shoes, hats, swimwear, swim cap, goggles. 
5. Bag: school backpack, sports bag.  

Save time jumping from store to store with the Back-to-School collection at David Jones. The collection features all the essential back-to-school items in each of the above categories.

 

Use a Calendar

Using a physical calendar might feel a bit old-school, but it’s a great way to keep the whole family on the same page. 

Hang a calendar in the kitchen and jot down important appointments, sports training and concert dates. 

Encourage high school children to add to the calendar as things pop up. This helps to lighten your mental load and get them into the habit of planning their own schedules. 

What Clothes Should I Buy for Back to School?

In Australia, most schools require students to wear uniforms. 

 

So, how should you go about shopping for school clothes? 

We recommend purchasing the required uniforms, as well as some other clothing essentials, so that you’re prepared for casual dress days, sports days and other non-uniformed events that may arise. 

Firstly, consider your budget. Once you’ve set your limit, you can better hone your search and save time scrolling.

Next, think about how often you’re prepared to wash clothes and uniforms. If you’re washing daily, you’ll need fewer items, but if you’re washing once a week, you’ll need to add a few more pieces to your list. 

Lastly, put together a list of all items you’ll need. For example:

• Socks x 8
• Underwear x 10
• Leggings x 2
• T-shirts x 3
• Runners
• School shoes 
• School sports uniform top x 2
• School sports uniform shorts x 1
• School uniform shirt x 2
• School uniform shorts x 1
• School uniform dress x 2
• School uniform jumper x 1

Once you have a solid list and a budget, you can start shopping. 

Our Back to School collection features children’s clothing essentials and shoes to make the transition back to school as easy as possible.

 

When it comes to uniforms, consider purchasing un-branded uniforms (if the school allows it) or secondhand items where possible to save some cash.