Experts offer back to school tips
Photo credit: Anton Sukhinov via Unsplash
As the new school year gets underway, Western Sydney University experts have shared their top tips and helpful advice on a range of back-to-school topics, including how to create a budget, pick the right school shoes, pack a healthy lunchbox, and more.
Associate Professor Vincent Ho – Medicine and Academic Gastroenterologist, School of Medicine
Associate Professor Dr Vincent Ho leads a Translational Gastroenterology Research program at the School of Medicine focusing on basic science and clinical research in the gut. He offers his top tips on food hygiene and how to minimise the risk of bacteria in school lunchboxes.
"During the summer heat bacteria responsible for food poisoning can rapidly multiply. A thin slice of a well-washed tomato with 100 bacteria at 8am could contain just over 26 million bacteria by 2pm on the same day. The proper packing of food, food preparation and personal hygiene practices particularly thorough handwashing are important in reducing the chance of foodborne illness to children.”
Dr Michelle Cull - Accounting and Financial Planning, School of Business
Dr Michelle Cull is the Associate Dean, Engagement in the School of Business at Western Sydney University and a leading academic in financial planning. Dr Cull’s research focuses on financial inclusion and financial planning education, and she has advice for those looking to create a family-friendly budget.
“In preparation for the school year, it can help to scope out a rough schedule of anticipated school, sports and creative activities for the school year, and what resources will be required. As part of the budgeting process, parents can look to maximise any government benefits available (for example sports and creative kids vouchers), shop around for the best deals, and collaborate with other parents in sharing resources (for example, trading different sized uniforms, sports and music equipment, or buying in bulk). Preparing a budget costs nothing but it can help parents spend less and give them a sense of control.”
Dr Joanne Orlando – Technology and Children, School of Education and Institute for Culture and Society
Dr Joanne Orlando is a leading international expert on children’s use of technology. Dr Orlando offers her thoughts on the use of technology in school.
“There are some inconsistencies with the relationship between children and technology. Mobile phones are banned in schools, yet students are required to use technology throughout the day for learning. Similarly, there is concern students will cheat using AI, but these technologies are deliberately incorporated into the learning apps student use while at school. It is important to recognise technology is a part of daily life for children and we need to support them to manage these tools safely and wisely.”
Dr Frances Henshaw - Footwear and Footcare, School of Medicine
As an experienced podiatrist, researcher and scientist, Dr Frances Henshaw has observed first-hand the consequences of poor footwear and footcare. Dr Henshaw engages with patients to uncover their problems and find novel, workable solutions.
“Good school shoes are essential for children as they provide the necessary support and protection for their developing feet. It is important to ensure that children's school shoes are of good quality, fit properly, and are suitable for the child's specific needs and activities. Importantly, check the fit regularly and make sure that shoes are replaced when little feet outgrow them.”
Dr Frances Doyle – Clinical Psychologist, School of Psychology and the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development
Dr Frances Doyle is a mental health researcher, educator and clinical psychologist focused on improving child and family wellbeing. Dr Doyle examines the early detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health problems in young people. She offers her advice on helping to manage anxiety for children starting school for the first time, or returning to school after the holidays or changing schools.
“There’s a lot of change that happens at the start of the school year. Whilst some kids and parents might be excited to be starting or going back to school, others might be feeling apprehensive and overwhelmed. All these reactions are normal. When children are starting school for the first time, it’s important to talk to them about what to expect, who is picking them up, and be excited for them.”
Dr Catharine Fleming – Nutrition, School of Health Sciences
Dr Catharine Fleming is a Lecturer in Public Health, and is experienced in paediatric nutrition, paediatric food allergy and childhood obesity. Dr Fleming is passionate about ensuring a sustainable nutritional change occurs for children and adolescents through co-designed and development of interventions by young people for young people.
“Lunchbox shaming by labelling foods ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ is not helpful. Fundamentally, it is important that a child’s lunchbox helps them grow by including food groups for brain and body growth and sustain energy throughout the day such as whole grains, proteins, dairy and a range of colourful fruit and vegetables.”
Professor Paola Escudero – Linguistics, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development
As a professor in linguistics, Professor Paola Escudero offers her advice to culturally and linguistically diverse families of multilingual children starting at monolingual day care centres, pre-schools and primary school settings. She also has tips on how monolingual children can increase exposure to new languages and take advantage of the benefits of multilingualism.
“More than 300 languages are spoken in Australia, however more community support is needed for children to speak their home language or to learn a language other than English from early childhood education. By nurturing Australia’s little multilingual minds with increased opportunities to practice native languages, and learning a second language other than English, we can boost all children’s wellbeing, cognitive and social development during the early education years.”
Dr Kym Hennessy – Footwear and Footcare, School of Health Sciences
Dr Kym Hennessy is a Lecturer of Podiatry and Academic Course Advisor for the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine at Western Sydney University. Her research focusses on rheumatological conditions of the foot and ankle particularly relating to biomechanics and footwear. She provides her advice for looking after young, growing feet.
Top 6 tips for buying children’s shoes
Children spend a lot of time wearing their school shoes, that is why it’s important that they are fit for purpose.
- Support at the heel, which is provided by a strong heel counter
- Flexible at the toes to allow for jumping, skipping, running
- Not too much twist in the middle for support around the arch
- Adjustable fastening mechanism (eg laces, velcro, buckles) to hold the foot in place
- Good fit – correct length (thumb width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe) and adequate width
- Good quality materials for longer wear
Also, having a specific sport shoe is important for designated school sporting activities as the types of actions and movements differ from everyday activities and the feet need to be supported accordingly.
ENDS
30 January 2023
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