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Back to school checklist for Western Cape parents
January is busy, so a simple list helps. Check what still fits from last year before you buy anything new. Shirts and trousers wear out first, so count how many your child has. Most families need at least two of each for the week. Write down the sizes and note any badges or colours your school requires. Then shop in one trip if you can, and keep the receipts until the first week back.
School Checklist
Do not leave the shoe shopping for the last weekend. Feet grow over the holidays and the shops get crowded. Try shoes on in the afternoon, when feet are slightly bigger, and let your child walk around the shop in them for a few minutes before you decide.
Bags are the next thing to check. Look at the straps and the zips, and make sure the bag is not too big for your child's back. A sturdy bag that sits high and snug will last the year and is kinder to young shoulders.
Name tags save a lot of lost property trouble. Every jersey, blazer, shirt and sports item should carry your child's name, written or sewn in a place that is easy to find. Iron-on labels are quick, but sewn ones hold up better through winter washing and many school terms.
Keep a small pouch at home with needle, black and grey thread and spare buttons. A loose button or a torn hem is much easier to fix on Sunday evening than at seven on Monday morning, when everyone is rushing out the door.
Winter in the Western Cape means wet days and cold mornings. Make sure your child has a warm jersey and a rain jacket that is easy to pull over a school bag. Check the sleeves as well, because wrists get cold fast.
A rain jacket that fits over a jersey is worth more than a second pair of gloves, and it will be used on most wet days from May to August.
Label every layer before the first cold snap. Jackets are the items most often left behind on the field or the school stoep.
Sports days come around fast, so look at the kit early. Athletics vests, shorts and takkies should be comfortable and not too tight. Try them on at home and let your child jump and stretch to see how they move.
Keep a spare set in the bag for practice days and matches. Wash kit after each use, and hang it out to dry fully before it goes back in the bag. Damp kit smells quickly and wears out sooner than it should, so a little care goes a long way.
Name Tags
A new school year starts with a long list and a short budget. Begin by checking what last year's uniform can still do. Look at hems, cuffs and shoe soles before you buy anything new.
Buy the big items first, such as blazers and shoes, and leave extras for later. Ask your school which shops it recommends, and keep the receipt in case a size needs changing. Label everything with your child's name before the first day.
Our team on Wellington Road is happy to go through the list with you.
Jerseys take a beating in winter. Wash them inside out on a cool cycle, use a mild soap and skip the tumble dryer. Dry them flat in the shade so the wool keeps its shape and the colour stays deep. A little care now saves a replacement in July.
Pilling on the sleeves is normal. Remove it with a fabric comb, never a razor, and fold the jersey rather than hanging it so the shoulders do not stretch. Keep a spare in the cupboard for the wettest weeks.
