i have heard a lot about book lists lately from friends on fb, dsd is currently grade 3 will be grade 4 next year in public school nsw and i am yet to hear of a booklist at this school, what exactly is it? Our voluntary yearly contribution is $40 a year or $10 a term. We then provide stationery ourselves. handwriting books are $9 each as needed, about 2-3 a year. Sorry im just confused and wonder if theres something were not paying for or something?
Our book list is all the stuff they need for the school year - crayons, pencils, exercise books, handwriting books, folders, scissors, erasers etc.
It all gets sent to the school and pooled so each class gets a years supply at the start of the year - I'm pretty sure they ask for a little more than they need because some parents don't contribute and other children turn up mid-year.
I had a look at the list and it seems that I'm buying 2 whiteboard markers as well as rulers etc.
I guess it makes life easier because I don't need to worry about sending a pencil case etc to school or buying replacements through the year.

The school must have a billion pairs of scissors because I buy a new pair each year...

We don't have any voluntary contributions or school fees (unless you count the raffles and baked goods for the cake stalls and so on).