Every Child Deserves to Start School Ready to Learn.
For many families across Mandurah and the Peel (Bindjareb) region, the rising cost of living makes back-to-school expenses overwhelming. Items many of us take for granted, backpacks, stationery, lunchboxes, and uniforms, can be out of reach.
The Return to School Project brings our community together to ensure children from disadvantaged households start the school year equipped, confident, and ready to learn.
This project is delivered in partnership with Soroptimist International of Mandurah, who established this program in the region, combining community generosity with local coordination to create real impact for local students.
Equipping Kids. Unlocking Potential.
1 in 6
are held back by poverty before the school year even begins.”
100%
of teachers reported spending their own money on essential classroom supplies
250+
students returned to school ready to learn in 2024–2025, supported with essential stationery and uniforms.
Erasing Barrier to Education
The Return to School Project is a joint initiative delivered by Bridge Builders, in partnership with Soroptimist International Mandurah, built on a strong foundation of advocacy, service, and community care.
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Soroptimist Mandurah has been delivering the Return to School program in the Peel region for many years, supporting vulnerable children with essential school supplies and uniforms so they can start the year prepared and confident. This long-standing commitment reflects Soroptimist’s Mandurah's dedication to improving the lives of women and children through practical action and education-focused support.
By partnering locally with Bridge Builders, this established program is strengthened through deep community connections and on-the-ground delivery in Mandurah and the Peel region. Together, we combine experience, local knowledge, and shared values to ensure support reaches children who need it most.
Every school item carries more than function, it carries possibility. A pencil can spark confidence. A notebook can hold a child’s first sense of achievement. A school uniform can restore dignity and help a child feel they belong. When children arrive at school equipped with the essentials, they are more likely to engage, participate, and feel confident in the classroom.
Yet for many families, the rising cost of living and education means these basic items, including uniforms, are simply out of reach. For children living in poverty or housing stress, the start of the school year can bring anxiety instead of excitement.
Without the right supplies and uniforms, children can feel left behind before learning even begins. This program recognises that it’s not just about a school bag, it’s about confidence, belonging, and giving every child the opportunity to thrive alongside their peers.
1 in 6 children start the school year behind, with poverty setting them back before it even begins.
Rising housing costs are placing significant pressure on low-income families, with rental prices increasing by around 50–75% over the past five years and making stable, affordable housing increasingly out of reach.
In the Peel region, poverty continues to impact thousands of residents, with around 1 in 6 children living below the poverty line.
Poverty and housing stress don’t stop at the school gate — children affected are more likely to experience ongoing anxiety and disengagement from learning, with effects lasting long after they leave school.
Build-A-Kit: Helping Local Children Start the School Year Ready to Learn
Running a Return to School Kit Drive is a practical and meaningful way to support children in Mandurah and the Peel region who are experiencing financial hardship. Delivered by Bridge Builders in partnership with Soroptimist, this program ensures students have what they need to feel prepared, confident, and included from day one.
We work closely with our network of local schools to ensure the support provided is relevant and practical. All items included in Return to School Kits are aligned with current school booklists, ensuring students receive the exact stationery and supplies required for their classroom learning.
Getting Started
Before launching your kit drive, consider the following:
Type of Drive
You can choose to:
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Collect school supplies only
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Collect school supplies plus financial donations (designated for supplies and uniforms)
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Run a financial donation drive only, supporting the purchase of kits and uniforms where needed
Method of Collection
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A one-day collection event
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A set collection period (one week or one month)
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Drop-off points at workplaces, schools, churches, or community hubs
You might also:
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Host a community “Fill the Trailer” day
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Set up collection boxes in high-traffic locations
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Combine your drive with a team-building or volunteer event
What goes into a Return to School Kit
Each kit is thoughtfully assembled in consultation with local schools and includes booklist-approved items, ensuring students are fully equipped for the year ahead.
Most-needed stationery items include:
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Single-subject notebooks (wide or college ruled)
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Pencils (12-pack)
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Washable markers
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Crayons
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Glue sticks
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Scissors
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Durable folders
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Pencil cases
By matching supplies to school requirements, we reduce waste, ease pressure on families, and support teachers to deliver lessons without interruption.
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Why Your Kit Drive Matters
Children who start school without the correct supplies can feel left behind before learning even begins. Teachers often step in to bridge the gap, purchasing items themselves or adapting lessons when students are unprepared.
Providing booklist-aligned supplies and uniforms:
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Improves classroom readiness and participation
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Builds confidence and self-esteem
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Reduces stress for families facing financial hardship
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Supports teachers to focus on teaching, not resourcing
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It’s More Than Just a School Bag
Together, Bridge Builders and Soroptimist Mandurah are continuing a long-standing commitment to education equity in the Peel region. By working hand-in-hand with local schools and the wider community, we are ensuring children start the school year with dignity, confidence, and the tools they need to thrive.