Thousands of families made their way to Kimberwalli, on Dharug land in Whalan, last week for a day focused on ensuring students were well prepared to start the new school year.

Kimberwalli’s rooms were full to the brim with education support packs for the annual Back to School event to give students the best chance to thrive when they head to school this year. Dentists and optometrists were also available for free health checks.

Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 received books, stationery, calculators, library bags – and more – in the 3,500 education support packs lovingly prepared by the team at Kimberwalli.

With two children at school this year, Zamma Berrigan said the support from Kimberwalli eased the pressures of school-related costs while ensuring her children were excited about what’s to come.

“I’m really grateful that we were able to come along today and not only receive the packs but do some art and ensure the kids are ready to go for the first day back,” Ms Berrigan said.

Deborah Baxter and her three children attended the event. Daughter Dakota received her education support pack and had a free visit to the optometrist to ensure her vision hadn’t changed and her glasses were still the correct prescription.

“It’s so great that anyone can come and get this support. It’s been amazing to come down and see so many families get what they need to learn and do well at school,” she said.

Kelly Stanford is Kimberwalli’s proud director and was blown away by the response to the initiative and the hard work her team put in to making it a reality.

"From our Kindergarten students to those heading into Year 12, we are so excited to support thousands of students across the state,” Ms Stanford said.

"Our Plan for Public Education has a really clear focus on equity and giving children the best start in learning, and our Back to School initiative does just that.

"Providing support to ensure our young people feel confident in the classroom is a tangible way we are working to Close the Gap, and I couldn't be more thrilled to see so many students dreaming big for their future.”

While the education support pack initiative has been running successfully for four years, the addition of optometry and dental visits has been a game-changer.

In one day alone, 41 students received free dental care, and 72 students received a free optometry assessment – 18 students required prescription glasses and will receive them for free, ready to thrive when they head to school.

“We know the importance of health in preparing children for the school year, so I’m so thrilled that we were able to offer free checks to students,” Ms Stanford said.

“We have received so much interest that we have a wait list and will be offering more health checks in the very near future.”

It wasn’t all books and health checks though, with face painting, a photobooth and games with NRL players on site to ensure students had a great time too.

The Back to School day was a collaboration between Kimberwalli, the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, government agencies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. Contributing organisations included NRL School to Work, Western Sydney Indigenous Care, the Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate NSW Department of Education, NSW Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Health, Centrelink and the NRL.

“Having access to these services is invaluable for our community and I am so proud of the work everyone at Kimberwalli, and our amazing community partners, have undertaken to bring it together and make a difference in the lives of thousands of young people,” Ms Stanford said.

Kimberwalli is an Aboriginal Centre of Excellence where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can gain educational support, develop their skills, feel strong in their cultural identity, and build connections to reach their full potential.