Back to School 2026 stationery checklist: Grade R to Grade 12
The stationery list arrives, the shops are full, and somehow one item is always missing on the first day of school. This checklist covers what learners actually use from Grade R to Grade 12, how many of each to buy, and where you can save without buying twice. Everything on the list is available on www.bigotrading787.co.za with free delivery over R3 000, or collect in Pretoria.
Grade R to Grade 3 (Foundation Phase)
Two packs of wax crayons or Jovi crayons, one pack of Croxley or Maped colouring pencils, four HB pencils, two erasers, a sharpener with a container, a 30 cm ruler, a glue stick (two if your school uses lots of paste-in worksheets), a pair of blunt-nose scissors, a pencil bag, A4 exercise books as per the school list, plastic book covers or contact, a lunch box and a water bottle. Skip the expensive character pencil cases; a plain pencil bag lasts the year and does not get borrowed.
Grade 4 to Grade 7 (Intermediate and Senior Phase)
Add blue and black pens (a box of Bic Cristal is the cheapest way to keep a whole year's supply), a maths set with protractor and compass, a scientific calculator from Grade 7, highlighters, a set of colouring pencils, A4 feint and margin exercise books, a 72 or 96 page book for each subject as listed, an A4 flip file for projects, and sticky notes. This is the age where things get lost, so buy pens by the box rather than the packet.
Grade 8 to Grade 12 (High School)
A Casio FX-82ZA Plus II or equivalent scientific calculator is required for maths and physical science from Grade 8, and it is worth buying the real one because exam boards check the model. Add A4 hardcover counter books or 192 page exercise books per subject, lever arch files with dividers for notes, a maths set, a quality pen that does not smudge for exams, correction tape, a stapler and staples, a memory stick, and for learners doing EGD or art, the specific drawing pens and boards on the school list.
Where the savings are
Buy pens, pencils and exercise books in bulk once rather than topping up every term; a box of 50 Bic pens costs less per pen than five packets of ten. Buy the school list as a bundle: our back to school packs are grouped by grade and are cheaper than the same items bought individually. Cover books once with durable plastic covers instead of paper that tears by June. And for schools ordering for a whole class, email us the list and we pack per learner, labelled, delivered to the school.
Do not forget
A calculator cover, spare batteries, a name label sheet for every item, a second water bottle, and a sturdy school bag with a padded base if the learner carries a tablet or laptop. Browse the full Back to School range, or WhatsApp 083 455 7367 with a photo of the school list and we will quote the whole thing in one go.