TODAY marked the last day of school holidays for many students as they prepared to head back to school.
Many families spent the Australia Day public holiday at beaches and parks around the Redlands, enjoying the sunny weather
Some children said they were excited to go to school, while others wanted the holidays to last longer.
Students and parents were also completing last-minute back to school preparation, and founder of educational back to school resource ‘School’s Coming’, Genevieve Matthews said planning was key to a successful start to the school year.
Ms Matthews recommended delegating tasks to children, making task lists and staying positive to ensure a painless back to school period.
In the midst of the back to school rush, online charity GIVIT is urging people to help underprivileged and drought-affected families get their kids to school too.
GIVIT’s Back to School appeal matches underprivileged students with donors across Australia, helping to provide the students with uniforms, bags, stationery items, iPads and tablets.
Founder and director Juliette Wright said the aim of GIVIT’s campaign was to ensure all Australian children, no matter their financial situation, were able to walk into their classrooms feeling confident.
“Education is the key to breaking out of a cycle of disadvantage and putting a child on a path to a better life,’’ she said.
“One in six Australian children will start the 2019 school year lacking the basic education tools of textbooks, stationery or a uniform.”
Health was also a key consideration, with Asthma Australia urging parents to go over their child’s asthma plan before sending them back to school.
Asthma Australia CEO Michele Goldman said preventer medicines not being taken as prescribed over the holidays or children mixing with others and spreading viruses key factors contributing to an increase in asthma flare-ups after the school holidays.