Junee parents are likely to shell out hundreds of dollars to prepare their children for the new school year.
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The cost of books, bags, uniforms and stationery supplies can add up, even if parents snap up bargains on the basics.
Depending on the school, there is also often also “BYO” technology, sport and music lessons, and secondary school fees, even at public schools, can be affected by students’ subject choices.
The Australian Scholarship Group estimated it cost up to $3797 for a secondary school student in regional NSW in 2017.
This includes fees of $535, extracurricular activities at $1420, clothing at $383, necessities of $375, travel at $375, and computers at $735.
For a primary school student, ASG estimated the cost at $2875.
Overall, ASG calculated it will cost parents in regional NSW as much as $53,000 to educate their child from pre-school to the end of Year 12 in a public school.
The price of a pair of lace-up black leather shoes from a regional chain store starts at around $15, while a pair of a big-name brand of children’s shoes is about $100.
For about $80, parents can pick up a pair of branded black leather sneakers, which are often popular with high school students.
A basic polo shirt in school colours can cost as little as $3 at some chain stores, but official school shirts with logos can be ten times that price.
Often, there is also a separate sports uniform as well.
Some schools also operate their own uniform stores, so parents have no choice by to buy items from there.
A basic backpack can cost as little as $10 from a chain store, but one with a school logo or a brand popular with teenagers can set parents back $50 or more.
Technology can also be expensive, with students often needing their own laptops or tablets.
In addition to the usual pencil case, schools may ask parents to contribute items to the classroom: Glue sticks, tissues and whiteboard markers are common requests.
Mother of three Tamaris Tait was shopping in Wagga this week for new school shoes with her children Tristan, Angus and Greta.
“With two boys, Tristan has been able to pass some of his school uniforms on to Angus, but Greta is starting this year and will need new clothes and shoes for school,” Ms Tait said.
Shoes are one of the more expensive items on the shopping list, she said.