In the bustling morning rush of a school day, one of the most essential items for students is often overlooked: the humble school bag. Beyond its practical function of carrying books and supplies, a school bag plays a pivotal role in a student’s readiness and preparedness for the day ahead.

As a teacher at Tauhara College for three years, I have noticed one glaringly obvious issue that impacts our student body. This is because many of our students come to school without a bag. This may seem trivial to some but here are the reasons why, as an educator, I feel it is a significant issue that our community can address.

As a student walks into Tauhara College without a bag I can make the following assumptions.

Firstly and arguably the most important is that they lack the fundamental tools necessary to engage in classroom activities. No workbooks to take notes or complete tasks, no pens and pencils to write with, no calculator or ruler, no glue stick or highlighter. Nothing! This poses an immediate disadvantage to the student as they do not have the basic tools to learn. As a kura we provide chromebooks at an enormous impact to our budget, which in the current technological age is a necessity. However, we also now have to provide pens, pencils, calculators, books, the lot. And again at a cost to the kura which students have no ownership or pride of so these provided items get treated like trash.

Secondly, without a bag I can assume that that student has no lunch. As a health and PE teacher this concerns me deeply as I believe that what we fuel ourselves with ultimately makes us who we are. Poor nutrition equals poor health physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. However, many students may bring an eftpos card in their pocket to use at our tuck shop on a regular basis. But. Let's be honest, the nutritional value there is not what our rangatahi should be consuming on a daily basis. Our cooking teachers do an amazing job with providing students and families with kura kai meals and other food items during the day and this is fantastic. But again the buck is passed on.

Thirdly, without a bag I can assume that this student does not have any extra gear or equipment for things like, a practical PE class, a field trip or a cultural or sporting practice. A bag is not just about academic tools; it signifies readiness for all aspects of school life. Without one, students often lack necessary gear for PE classes, field trips, or cultural and sporting activities. This limits their participation in valuable extracurricular experiences that foster personal growth and community involvement, potentially denying them opportunities to discover and develop their talents.

Finally, without a bag at school students miss a small but vital opportunity to become self managing. A bag encourages students to develop organisational skills from a young age. They learn to prioritise and manage their belongings, fostering independence and self-reliance. These skills extend beyond the classroom, preparing students for future academic and professional endeavors where organization is key to success. 

The humble school bag is much more than a carrier of books and supplies; it is a symbol of readiness, organisation, and equal opportunity in education. For students without a bag, the lack of essential equipment, lunch, and sports gear can significantly impact their ability to learn and participate fully in school life. Therefore, ensuring that every student has access to a school bag is crucial for promoting educational equity and setting students up for success both inside and outside the classroom. 

So what now? How do I fix this? Go get a bag! And fill it with everything your child needs to become a high functioning member of our school and our community.