When families begin a new school year, it should be a time of excitement and possibility.

For many of the families we serve, however, the rising cost of uniforms, books, school supplies, and school fees can make this season deeply stressful.

JRS Australia is committed to ensuring that every child seeking asylum has access to education and the opportunity to thrive.

This year, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, 160 backpacks were distributed to 80 families through the JRS Back-to-School Drive, ensuring children could start the year equipped, confident and ready to learn.

Each backpack was filled with essential supplies: stationery, pencil cases, exercise books, calculators, headphones, water bottles, and other classroom necessities.

For parents already navigating high rents, food insecurity and prohibitive school costs, this support made a tangible difference. It eased immediate financial pressure and allowed families to redirect their already limited income toward other essentials such as rent, transport, and groceries.

One parent shared: “I picked up the backpack supplies which included a lunchbox and water bottle. Special thanks to the JRS Community! My son got so excited that he can’t wait to use them at kindergarten tomorrow!”

Beyond the practical items, these backpacks help students in a way that is less visible, but perhaps even more important: confidence. They help ensure children can walk into their new classrooms feeling prepared and included.

This initiative was made possible through the incredible support of Mums for Refugees, George’s River Life Church, and many generous individuals from our broader community who donated bags, funds and school materials.

Their kindness is a powerful reminder that when community comes together, we can create meaningful change for real people.

Kristen Lazarus, our Schools & Community Engagement Officer, reflected: “What stood out most during the back-to-school drive was the spirit of connection. The community rallied together so that the families we serve felt seen and supported, and so that the youngest members of our community have every opportunity to thrive. It was a beautiful example of solidarity in action.”

Children seeking asylum face barriers to schooling

While we celebrate the success of this year’s back-to-school drive, the need for support continues well beyond the first day of term.

“Families seeking asylum face significant financial and systemic barriers to accessing education,” shares Gabrielle, our Service Capacity Building Manager.

“Many live on extremely limited incomes and are ineligible for mainstream government support, making even modest school-related costs difficult to manage.”

A non-refundable $150 enrolment fee per child for NSW public schools can delay or prevent children from starting school, particularly for families already struggling to cover rent, food and transport.

Administrative hurdles further complicate the process.

Enrolment must be completed online, while fee-waiver forms must be printed and posted, requiring internet access, devices, printers and stable mailing addresses that many families do not have.

JRS Australia’s Casework team provides vital, hands-on support to help families navigate these challenges, assisting with applications, documentation, school liaison and uniform vouchers.

While providing school supplies helps children begin the year with confidence and dignity, meaningful access to education requires sustained, year-round support.

With your continued support, JRS can continue to walk alongside families not only at the start of the school year, but throughout their whole schooling journey.

We invite you to please support our work.

Donate to JRS Australia today.

Together, we can ensure every child has what they need to learn and thrive.