Prep bags

Each student starting Prep at a Victorian government school in 2026 will receive a Prep bag to celebrate this milestone in their learning journey.

A bag of goodies for every Prep student

Each Prep student starting at a Victorian government school in 2026 will receive a Prep bag.

The bags are full of engaging learning items and information for parents and carers to help families have a great start to the year.

This year’s theme, ‘Reach for the stars’, encourages our Preps to dream big, believe in themselves, and aim high in everything they do.

What’s in the Prep bag?

To spark a lifelong love of reading and to help build literacy skills, each Prep student will receive a special collection of 5 Australian books**.** The books are:

Chooks in Dinner Suits– written by Diane Jackson Hill and illustrated by Craig Smith
Frank’s Red Hat– written and illustrated by Sean E Avery
Sharing– written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson and illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson
The Bin Monster– written and illustrated by Annabelle Hale
The Concrete Garden– written and illustrated by Bob Graham.

A collection of different books as described on this page

To support Prep students who are blind, the Statewide Vision Resource Centre has also produced the books in Braille, with tactile illustrations.

Other goodies in the bag include:

Learning resources

An Inclusive Education poster with a colouring activity, created by Emily Hammond from NeuroWorld. The poster explains what inclusive education is and how schools support students with disability.
A postcard with information about Real Support Right Now cost of living supports available to families with children attending a government school.
A jigsaw puzzle featuring a world map and children from different cultures wearing traditional clothing. The puzzle helps introduce our youngest learners to global learning and engagement. It also includes information for parents and carers to help build their child’s understanding of the world.
A Story of the Moving Image postcard from ACMI. The postcard includes question prompts for parents and carers to ask their children, to help them think more about animation. Families can also access free resources to make their own animations.
A guide from the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and Parents Victoria, to help parents, families and carers understand what phonics is and why it is important. The guide includes interactive activities that families can put on the fridge to support learning phonics together at home.
A Youth myki card holder from the Department of Transport and Planning with information on the Youth myki.

Sport activities

A story-led AFL Play resource featuring the Willie Wagtail picture book. The resource includes access to beginner footy skills videos and more Willie Wagtail activities. NAB AFL Auskick program.
A Melbourne Stars or Melbourne Renegades activity poster from Cricket Victoria. The posters include a colouring activity and information to help children learn more about cricket and how to get involved in Cricket Victoria’s entry-level program, Woolworths Cricket Blast.

Health and wellbeing information and resources

A Healthy Food Fun activity booklet from VicHealth and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. The interactive booklet is full of age-appropriate literacy and numeracy activities. These activities help children understand food and the role it plays in our lives.
A Pick & Mix 1-6 poster from the National Nutrition Foundation. The poster has a range of ideas and tips to inspire families to create healthy school lunches.
A Primary School Nursing Program postcard with information on a free health screening service for students in their first year of school. The postcard also includes websites and links to children’s health and wellbeing resources.
A Respectful Behaviours within the School Community information flyer explaining the shared roles of parents, carers and school staff in creating a positive learning environment.
A Smile Squad interactive toothbrushing chart from Oral Health Victoria. The chart makes brushing fun for children and helps build their confidence and independence.

Find out more

For more information about starting school, visit Starting school.

Updated 26 March 2026

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Prep bags

A bag of goodies for every Prep student

What’s in the Prep bag?

Learning resources

Sport activities

Health and wellbeing information and resources

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