Can I just say how totally bull**** I think it is that you all have to buy everything for your kids and then have it shared? I've had kids in public school for the past 7 years and never have i ever had to do that. I get that it's not your fault and nor is it the school's fault because I guess they just can't fit it into their budget to buy books but that's bull**** bull**** bull****. There would be parents deliberately not buying stuff at all because they know other people will pick up the slack. I know there are kids who dont' have any pencils etc of their own at our school because they know the school supplies it, but there is just something really unfair about parents having to pick up the tab like this.

FWIW Efjay, big W had a shedload of stuff on special for only $1. I brought ten packs of those papermate HB pencils that come in the 5 pack because they only cost $1 and we go through heaps of pencils just at home. And they had books quite cheap too.