Back to school is in the bag thanks to Amity

Community not-for-profit organisation Amity Health says one to two days a week of a child missing school over the course of their schooling could leave them five years behind other children.

To encourage children in their return to school, Amity Health has co-ordinated a Back to School initiative which aims to encourage the reuse of school supplies or donations to support families in need.

The initiative also seeks to build on the awareness of the need to reduce our environmental footprint by reusing and recycling school items to decrease waste in Narrogin.

Amity Health Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander mental health wellbeing and resilience co-ordinator Kristy King said they had been overwhelmed by the public’s donations.

“Narrogin and surrounding families have been very generous and kind with donations of significant supplies such as stationery, school bags, lunch boxes and uniforms for each of the primary schools,” she said.

Amity Health has been able to make up 70 backpacks in the last two weeks.

The bags will be distributed across agencies including Moorditj Youth, KEEDAC and Aboriginal Primary Health to help children at risk or in need of school supplies.

“We want all children to feel a part of the classroom on day one and we hope this Back to School drive will help decrease anxiety among youth and increase school attendance rate,” Ms King said.