what does your school do?
previously stationary has just bn given to every child in their 1st week and its just bn added to the bill - this means EVERYONE has all the stationary they need and they never run out as pens/glue etc just get replaced as the school bulk buys the stationary and then just shares a set charge out.
this year we've bn told we have to go and buy it ourselves BUT catch 22 we aren't given a list of what they need instead we HAVE to buy it from a certain shop which has prepackaged stationary for each class and you apparently arent allowed to open it until 1st day of school.....this also just so happens to be the most expensive place to buy stationary so i can only imagine we're going to pay out of our arse for these packets...when elsewhere is selling off textbooks for 20c .....

im a big GRRRR to say the least - sooo annoying - and somehow i dont think the charge will be removed from school fees either they'll just put them up and say the $$ is for something else/activities etc etc

we've got soo many leftober textbooks/glue sticks/pens/pencils/rubber/coloured pencils to HAVE to buy them all in a pre-packed cant know whats in it pack its ridiculous.

That sucks. That really, really sucks!

We get a list at the end of the term 4 for next year.

dumb, I so wouldn't be following the rules on that one! I would send my kids to school on day 1 with a few books and pens/pencils and ask for a list of the other things they need.

I would also complain to the school about it. They will probably be getting a cut from the bookshop (the school I taught at did that, but it was OPTIONAL, not a you have to !)

That is a bit sucky.

We get given a stationary list at the end of the year and you can get it anywhere but they recommend one local store who also give the school commission on the stationary purchased. Last year I went in and asked for Year One stationary and they gave me a box with it all in. It wasn't overly expensive (around $20) although this year I notice they've got a few more things.

Ours just all gets supplied at school...I pay the required amount, and everything is kept at school - I never see it again until the end of the year when the books come home with their work in it. (or during interviews etc)

That's silly. I'd be asking the shop for the list. And purchasing what you don't already have. Otherwise if there's a mother prepared to open her pack so you know what yo buy somewhere cheaper.

Sounds a bit weird! Have to say though, the 20c books aren't worth the hassle, they tend to fall apart!

Why can't you look inside - is there a surprise? lol Can't see why the shop won't tell you whats on the list... could try that...

For Y1 I bought it myself but TBH it was a bit of a hassle trying to track some of the stuff down.

For Y2 (2011) I bought a pre-packaged box from the office and it was all done and dusted so easily. Will definitely do that again, and I don't mind paying slightly more than getting it somewhere myself if the school is benefiting

We were given a list at the end of term 4.

you had the choice of buying the whole list from the supplier (School gets a cut), buying some from them, or sourcing the whole lot yourself.

I chose the easy option of buying the whole lot as I didn't fancy traipsing around the shop with 3 kids!

VERY jealous of your NZ prices though Schools here are so underfunded our list came to $173!!!!!!! (for NZ year 2, school fees NOT included!), and I still have to find tissues, hand soap and a painting shirt!

What on earth did you have to buy for it to cost that much?!

5 'text books' (maths, reading, handwriting etc),
retractable USB stick,
scrapbooks
exercise books
whiteboard markers
writing pencils
coloured pencils
2 types of crayons
2 reams of paper
scissors
specific paintbrush
ruler
pencil sharpener and eraser
specific pencil case (that attaches to one of the folders)

plus a few random folders/ project books

either they have a LOT of work to do this year or a lot of those books will be coming home! (or more likely...will be used by kids who's parents don't buy them stuff )

They're changing the system for this year at our girls school.
You have to go online (or get someone to print out a hard copy for you to fax/post off), and type in school's name - then the child - and the year that they're in.
Then it just tells you the cost.
The interesting thing is that the donation fee is also included - but it is optional whether you want to pay it at the same time (dont' think that I will - bit too pricey at this time of the year!).
I must admit that the cost of stationery isn't too bad - around $40 for a year 4.

One of the problems with getting the pre-supplied packs online is that you still have to go back to the store to buy duraseal. At our school book covering is compulsory but it's not supplied, I suppose so that the kids can choose their own designs which makes sense. Does anyone know of an online book covering site in NZ where you can buy book covers online?

I'm giving these a crack this year: http://www.ezcover.co.nz/order.php
Haven't arrived yet, so can't personally say what I think but I know other people who have said they're pleased with them.

Gosh Amie, that is really shocking! having to buy scissors and stuff like that Do they get to keep them in their dseks? I would hope so!

Amie - reads like you are kitting out the whole classroom not just providing your child's personal stationary.

I am considering those Ezicovers as well.

textbooks!! and reams of paper?? yeah that would rip my undies I think

Perfect!! These look so cool. NZ Made from recycled materials, 12 designs, covers all NZ book sizes and reusable from one book to the next!! Thanks Beekay Best thing will be not having to stay up all night sticking on contact / duraseal. And cheap too!!!!

Thanks for the link Beekay. I've just ordered some as well!