Back to School Hacks to shop at South Village in the Sutherland Shire
Make the new school year feel easier (and more fun)
The start of a new school year brings fresh routines — and plenty of moving parts. From packing lunches and filling drink bottles to keeping school bags organised, mornings can quickly feel rushed without a plan in place.
A few simple back to school hacks, paired with easy lunch box hacks, can take the pressure off weekday mornings and help the whole family start the day feeling more prepared. With everything from fresh food to everyday essentials available at South Village in Kirrawee, getting organised is easy in one local shop.
1) Set up a grab-and-go zone at home
One of the easiest school hacks you can put in place is a simple grab-and-go zone near the front door. This is where school bags, lunch boxes, drink bottles, hats and library books live during the week. Having everything in one place cuts down on wasted time and last-minute searching.
Shop it at South Village:
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Coles or ALDI for storage tubs, baskets and household organisers
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Priceline for hair accessories and everyday essentials that can stay in your grab-and-go kit
Tip: Add a small container for notes, permission slips or homework so nothing gets forgotten on the way out.
2) Lunch box hacks that work all week
If packing lunches feels like a daily chore, the key is keeping things simple and repeatable. Build a short list of lunch options your kids actually eat — think sandwiches, wraps or leftovers — then rotate fruit, snacks and sides across the week.
Shop lunch essentials at South Village:
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Coles, ALDI or Panetta Mercato for fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, yoghurt and sandwich fillings
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Christopher’s Cakes for biscuits or baked treats as an occasional lunch box extra
Lunch box hacks to try:
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Prep fruit like apples, cucumber and carrots after your shop and store them in containers in the fridge
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Freeze bread so lunches can be packed the night before
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Freeze a juice box or water bottle to use as an ice pack
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Let kids choose one fruit or snack each week to help with picky eaters
3) Make school bags easier to manage
A well-organised school bag makes mornings smoother — especially as kids start packing their own lunches and homework. Keeping things consistent helps kids build independence and keeps bags from becoming a black hole of lost items.
Hack: Pack bags the night before and keep them in your grab-and-go zone. This simple habit saves time and stress on busy mornings.
4) Take the stress out of school shoe shopping
School shoes are often left until the last minute, but planning ahead can save you from uncomfortable first days and rushed shopping trips.
Hack: Bring the socks your child normally wears to school when checking fit. It’s a small step that makes a big difference to comfort and avoids returns later.
5) Simplify school supplies with fewer trips
School supply lists can feel long, but one well-planned shop can set you up for the term ahead. Focus on the essentials first, then top up as needed during the school year.
South Village options:
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Coles and ALDI for lunch boxes, containers and household basics
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SV News & Gifts for pencil cases and personalised school items
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Priceline for planners, health essentials and everyday items
Hack: Create a simple homework basket at home with pens, paper and supplies so homework time feels organised and calm.
6) The backup kit every parent should have
Spills, lost lunch box lids and forgotten items are all part of school life. A small backup kit at home (or in the car) can save the day.
What to include:
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Extra snacks or juice boxes
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A spare drink bottle
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A pen and notebook
Shop it at South Village:
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Coles, ALDI or Panetta Mercato for easy snack refills
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Priceline for practical everyday extras
7) Ease kids back into school mode
The final week before school starts can feel long. Adding light structure helps kids transition into routines without pressure — and builds excitement for the new school year.
Easy ideas:
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Choose one afternoon to organise lunch boxes and school bags
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Let kids help plan lunches for the first week
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Pick one small “fun” item for their bag or lunch box to make the first day feel special
Get ready for the school year ahead at South Village
With a few practical back to school hacks, you can make mornings calmer, lunch box prep easier and the school year feel far more manageable. From fresh food and lunch essentials to everyday household basics, South Village makes it easy to prepare for the back to school season in one convenient visit.