The first day of the new school year is a mixed experience for parents everywhere. Some are marking the bittersweet milestone when one of our favourite little people makes the transition to primary school. Others are waving off secondary school students for the first time or farewelling youngsters as they move into kindergarten.
Whether you’re rejoicing or commiserating the return of the school year, Central Geelong is a one stop shop for all your back to school essentials from stationery to apparel, footwear, lunchboxes, drink bottles, backpacks, accessories and more. Take the stress out of picking up those last-minute items and collect all your back to school needs in one place.
Uniforms and school shoes
Established in 1985, Beleza School Uniforms in Ryrie Street is an Australian owned business providing both primary and secondary school uniforms for schools across Geelong. Give Beleza the name of your school and your contact information and they will forward your requested price list. Details: www.beleza.com.au.
The Secondhand School Shop in Star Street specialises in the consignment sale of pre-loved secondary school items including textbooks, calculators, uniforms and shoes. This excellent service enables you to help other families while helping yourself, recycle unwanted school products and ensure outdated school items are distributed overseas for use by other communities. Details: www.secondhandschoolsupplies.com.au/
Bellarine Uniforms in Moorabool Street is a school uniform specialist. It provides high quality school uniform products for numerous schools around Geelong as well as generic items such as plain shirts, school pants, socks, tights and accessories. Bellarine Uniforms will measure and fit your child to ensure they walk away set and comfortable for the year ahead. Details: www.noone.com.au/
PSW in Malop Street supplies excellent quality school wear from polo shirts, jumpers, jackets, rain coats and more. A uniform fitting appointment service helps you avoid queues and be in and out with your uniform items in no time. Details: www.psw.com.au/
The Athletes Foot, Faulls Shoes, Footlocker, Betts, Myer Geelong and Rebel Sport, all located in Central Geelong, can measure and fit your child for their next pair of T-bars, traditional lace-ups, sneakers, sport shoes and more. To check opening times and locations visit the Central Geelong business directory at www.centralgeelong.com.au/find/
Mister Minit in Westfield Geelong supplies a variety of products to help you maintain your child’s school shoes including laces, polish, nugget, insoles and brushes. Leather stretching spray will soften even the most stubborn of new leather school shoes.
Also in Westfield, Shoe Express can squeeze some extra life back into school shoes that require minor repairs. Details: www.westfield.com.au/geelong
Books & stationery
Located in Malop Street, stationery superstore Officeworks provides off-street parking for its customers right next door. Browse a huge range of back to school supplies in-store or visit their website www.officeworks.com.au/. Using the Officeworks back to school templates and checklists could potentially save you an average of 20 per cent on your school list prices. If you’re pushed for time, the Geelong store offers both click and collect and a ‘Store to Door’ delivery service.
Whether it’s for study or play, tweens and secondary school students will love Typo in Market Square’s range of tech accessories including laptop and device cases, carry bags, chargers, earbuds, speakers and more. Details: www.cottonon.com/AU/
Big W in Westfield Geelong is so confident in its back to school prices, it will price match competitors if you find a lower price elsewhere. Supplying children’s stationery, tech and generic uniform items, Big W can help you tick off your back to school list with ease.
Backpacks, lunchboxes and drink bottles
Pick up a funky insulated lunch bag and matching drink bottle from Chef’s Essentials in Ryrie Street. Choose from a variety of patterns to brighten up your little one’s school bag. While you are there, why not grab a pack of reusable snack and sandwich bags to reduce on waste. Visit in-store or online www.chefsessentials.com.au/
Smiggle in Westfield Geelong is the ultimate for fun, cool, colourful and playful backpacks, lunchboxes and drink bottles designed to stand the test of school yard time. Choose from holographic effects, fun badges and reversible sequins, sports and video game themes and more! Not only are the backpacks cool and vibrant, they’re also functional featuring padded and adjustable shoulder straps, drink bottle holders and laptop compartments. Smiggle also offers a super cute pre-schooler range – the perfect size for little ones to handle. Details: www.smiggle.com.au/
Matchbox, also in Westfield Geelong, stocks a big selection of drink bottles and insulated water bottles including the Frank Green’s limited-edition range. Complete with flip-up straw lids, a drinking spout, carry strap and not to mention fun and funky designs, your child will be hydrated all day long and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Details: www.matchbox.com.au/
Extracurricular essentials
Head into the school year feeling on top of all your family’s school and extracurricular commitments with a weekly, monthly or yearly family planner from Kaisercraft in Market Square. The range of unique, stylish and fun planners are designed for ultimate family organisation and will help you feel in control all year round. Details: www.kaisercraft.com.au/
Best and Less in Market Square is not only great for generic uniform items, underwear, hair accessories and socks, it’s also excellent for swimwear, netball skirts, leotards and more. The range features dozens of ‘2 for $10 items’ and the click and collect service can have you picking up your items in under 24 hours from your time of order. Details: www.bestandless.com.au/
If you child is gearing up for dance classes in the year ahead, Geelong Dance and Fairywear Supplies in Little Malop Street can set you up with everything you’ll need from leotards, head wear and dance bags to tutus, ballet shoes, tights and more. Details: www.geelongdancesupplies.com.au/
And finally, for those little ones who feel the back to school jitters, fidget items can be helpful to calm their nerves. Our Satellite Hearts in James Street stocks a range of stretchy and squishy putty and calming crystals to soothe and keep restless hands busy. Details: www.oursatellitehearts.com.au/
So put your last-minute list together and head into Central Geelong for your back to school essentials. Please remember to follow the government guidelines relating to COVID-19 physical distancing, hygiene and gathering restrictions when visiting Central Geelong.
