Back to School Hacks to shop at Rhodes Waterside in Sydney
Make the new school year feel easier (and more fun)
When school starts, the morning routine can quickly shift from calm to chaos — especially when you’re juggling packing lunches, finding the right gear, and getting everyone out the door on time. The good news? With a few smart systems in place, you can get organised in one convenient visit to Rhodes Waterside.
Here are practical back to school hacks — with plenty of lunch box hacks woven through — to help families feel prepared for the school year ahead, whether you’re sending little ones off for the first time or managing the busy routine of older kids.
1) Create a “launch pad” near the front door
School hack: Set up one dedicated spot at home where everything lives for weekday mornings — think school bag, lunch box, drink bottle, notes and homework. This simple habit can save time every day and reduce last-minute stress.
Shop it at Rhodes Waterside:
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IKEA for storage boxes, baskets and organisers
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Kmart for hooks, tubs, labels and affordable storage solutions
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Cotton On Kids, shop HERE, for spare hats, socks and hair accessories that can stay in the launch pad
Quick tip: Keep a small back-up kit nearby with tissues and bandaids so small hiccups don’t derail the morning rush.
2) Lunch box hacks that reduce weekday stress
If packing school lunches is the part of the day that feels the hardest, building a simple rotation can make all the difference. Aim for two to three “go-to” options your kids actually eat, plus a few easy extras.
Shop lunch essentials at Rhodes Waterside:
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Coles, ALDI or Farmers Fresh for fruit, yoghurt, cheese, wraps, crackers and grab-and-go snacks
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Breadtop for buns, rolls and bakery favourites that work well for recess
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Brooklyn Donuts for an occasional fun treat
Lunch box hacks to try this week:
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Prep once, pack fast: wash and cut fruit and veg after your shop, then store in easy-access containers
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Freeze-friendly wins: keep bread or wraps in the freezer so lunches can be packed the night before
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Two-of-everything rule: having spare lunch boxes and drink bottles saves time mid-week
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Make it a fun way to eat: let kids choose one “colour” fruit or veg for the week to keep lunches interesting
3) Upgrade the school bag, not the chaos
A school bag that’s easy to open, comfortable to carry, and well organised makes mornings smoother — especially as kids start packing their own bags.
Where to shop at Rhodes Waterside:
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Kmart for backpacks, lunch bags and drink bottles
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Cotton On Kids, shop HERE, for bags, bottles and bag accessories
Hack: Add a name label and pack the bag the night before at the launch pad to avoid the morning scramble.
4) School shoes without the guesswork
School shoes are one of those items that often get left until the last minute. Shopping earlier gives kids time to try styles properly — and avoids rushed decisions.
Where to shop at Rhodes Waterside:
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Kmart for affordable, everyday school shoe options
Hack: Bring the socks your child actually wears to school so the fit is accurate — and there’s less drama later.
5) Beat the stationery panic with one-stop shopping
If your child’s list is long (or you’re shopping for more than one student), keeping it all in one place makes the process much easier.
Rhodes Waterside stationery favourites:
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Kmart for budget-friendly stationery, diaries, planners and book list essentials
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Australia Post for stationery, printing, packaging and organisation basics
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IKEA for desk storage, paper organisers and study-friendly furniture
Hack: Create a simple “homework station” at home — one tub with pencils, scissors, glue and spare paper so everything is ready when homework time rolls around.
6) A “spare set” hack that saves the week
Spills, forgotten hats and missing lunch box lids happen — often at the worst possible time.
Keep a small spare set ready:
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spare socks or underwear
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a basic snack
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bandaids and hand sanitiser
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a spare pen or notebook
Shop it at Rhodes Waterside:
7) Keep kids engaged during the school-holiday lead-in
The final week of the school holidays can feel long. Adding a little structure helps ease the transition and builds excitement for the new term.
Easy ideas to try:
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Pick one afternoon to organise bags, lunch boxes and stationery
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Let kids choose one “fun” item — a new pencil case, drink bottle or bag tag
Where to shop:
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Kidstuff for activity books, games and creative toys
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Kmart for small rewards and back-to-school treats
Get set for the year ahead at Rhodes Waterside
With the right back to school hacks, mornings can feel calmer, packing lunches quicker, and the school year far more manageable. From lunch box hacks and fresh food to stationery, storage and everyday essentials, Rhodes Waterside makes it easy to get prepared in one convenient trip.