Disadvantaged families in the Illawarra are struggling with back-to-school blues as the cost of educating children balloons to more than $2000 a child a year.
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According to the Smith Family, parents hand over an estimated $2237.60 per child on basic schooling essentials including uniforms, lunches and stationery.
The figure excludes discretionary costs such as excursions, sports and home computers.
The Smith Family’s Back to School Appeal aims to help children who face returning to school without the essentials, leading to educational difficulties, compounding disadvantage.
“Through no fault of their own, kids will be starting school with ill-fitting or incomplete uniforms; a lack of essential books and stationery; they’ll miss out on excursions, sporting and artistic pursuits, simply due to a lack of finances,’’ Smith Family chief executive Lisa O’Brien said.
‘‘We know this inability to participate fully can adversely affect their learning.’’
Natasha Finch relies on the Smith Family Learning for Life program to make sure her three children have the same chance at getting an education as their classmates.
‘‘I’m a single mother with three children, so that’s three times more expensive and it’s getting harder,’’ Ms Finch said.
As her youngest child starts primary school and her oldest starts high school, the milestone events place further financial pressure on Ms Finch.
‘‘Cameron is going to high school and he needs uniforms with the special emblems; I can’t just get cheap basics from anywhere any more and the school has a bring your own device from home policy so we’ve got to find money for that too.’’
All three of Ms Finch’s children have medical problems that require constant trips to specialists, leaving a meagre budget left over for school supplies.
‘‘Cameron has ADHD and ODD, Brooke is legally blind in one eye and Cameron has asthma so we’re always at the doctor’s and specialists.’’
The program helps 200 students in the Warrawong area with scholarships.
‘‘We’re making sure kids don’t feel different from the others, little things like having a proper bag, a full uniform, doing sport and going on excursions make a difference,’’ Smith Family general manager Steve Macready said.
‘‘Making sure kids get the best out of their education is the best way out of disadvantage, it increases their life chances.’’
The Smith Family is looking for sponsors.
