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Your ultimate 2025 back to school checklist

The bell to signal the start of the 2025 school year is about to ring.

Getting ready for school after the holidays can be a huge task - from remembering what to pack in their school bag to making sure they have the right-sized uniform, shoes and more ready to go. Luckily, Westfield Kotara is your one-stop-shop for everything they’ll need for the school year.

Here's your official checklist to help you on your way when your little one returns to the classroom.

Fresh stationery

Depending on their year level, your child may only need a few new pens and pencils, or the works: a diary, calculator, notebooks, and a new pencil case. Either start fresh or check what is missing from the last school year. Try visiting Smiggle, Typo & Kmart and grab all their stationery needs in one go.

Upgraded gadgets

A decent pair of headphones is necessary for all kids these days – if not used for school, then to silence the sounds of them watching their favourite show or playing their video games after school. Head to JB Hi-Fi or EB Games

If your kids use smartwatches or child-friendly mobile phones, consider treating them to a fun new band or tech case for the year from JB Hi-Fi or David Jones

Don’t forget extra chargers and batteries – the essentials that can never be found when we really need them!

Smart school shoes

If they’re due for new school shoes (and sports shoes), head straight to Shoes & Sox, Skechers or Mathers

Some footwear stores also have professional fitting services and offer online bookings to make it as easy as possible to get your kids’ footwear sorted for the new school year. Try The Athletes Foot

Image: Skechers

Backpack basics

Whether it’s time to update their bag or size up, there’s lots of great designs to suit your child’s age group. Head into Smiggle, Typo, JD Sport, Surf Dive & Ski, Strand


Image: Strandbags

Essential accessories

You can never have too many of the day-to-day basics like hair accessories, lunchboxes, school and sports socks and even spare undies. Shop the basics from stores like Lowes, Cotton On Kids, Kmart, Target. Pro tip: Invest in iron-on or sticky labels and attach them to everything in their bag.

Image: Howards Storage World

Homework station

Create a desk set-up that will get your kids excited to study...well, you can try, right?! Set your child up with a desk, chair and storage space to keep their homework supplies organised by visiting Kmart, Typo & Target

Encourage your kids to get creative and personalise their desk area with some posters and decorative touches from Typo, Harry Hartog Bookseller,

Visit a hairdresser

Time to tidy up the kid's hair after a summer of swimming in the ocean or pool. Get it done at Price Attack, Just Cuts, Christiane's Hair Design & Cultures Barber

Uniform alterations

Almost all uniforms need a little tweaking. We have you covered with alteration services available at LookSmart Alterations

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