Mackay School Savvy pop-up coming to St Patrick’s senior campus hall

Struggling families score much needed help before school starts with a pop-up promising to save them money without making them jump through hoops.

School Savvy pop up in Mackay, 2023. The pop-up run by CatholicCare offers and free haircuts. Picture: Supplied

A low-cost pop-up shop is coming back to Mackay, promising second hand uniforms as cheap as $1 without forcing families to meet any eligibility criteria.

School Savvy, run by CatholicCare, is helping struggling families get their kids back to school affordably from 7am January 13 to 15 at St Patrick’s Senior Campus Hall.

Everything at the pop up is between $1 and $5, including stationery, uniforms, and free basic haircuts.

School Savvy does not individually assess attendees against any set eligibility criteria, reasoning that people can be in temporary hardship, and “not wanting to cast Judgement” on anyone attending.

Instead, an honesty system is promoted where users only access the program if they are struggling financially, take only the resources they need and consider others when purchasing.

School Savvy pop up in Mackay, 2023. Packed pencil cases were going for $3 each. Picture: Supplied

Anna Morris, General Manager of People and Culture at CatholicCare, says “it’s eye opening to see the level of need” for these services.

“We’ve seen 3000 plus visitors within five days,” she said.

In a survey last year, children’s charity The Smith Family found that 88 per cent of the 2200 families surveyed were worried about affording school necessities.

Some families feared missing out on excursions and extra-curricular activities due to cost-of-living pressures.

School Savvy pop up in Mackay, 2023. Picture: Supplied

Ms Morris says community led programs like this are essential to ensuring everyone can take that first step into the new school year.

“Education is what breaks the cycle. It’s about having young kids feel supported to make them feel confident about starting school,” she said.

The School Savvy pop-up store was founded in Cairns in 2016 by CentacareFNQ and has been run by CatholicCare for the past six years.

School Savvy pop up in Mackay, 2023. The pop-up run by CatholicCare offers uniforms for as little as $1. Picture: Supplied

The program has grown from three pop-up stores to eight through North and Central Queensland.

Ms Morris says plans are underway to expand the program to support families all across the state.

Flavia Prospero, general manager, CatholicCare, wants kids to head to school with clear minds.

“No child should have to worry about not having the right equipment or the right uniform on their first day of school,” Ms Prospero said.

“That’s why School Savvy is here.”

Originally published as Mackay School Savvy pop-up coming to St Patrick’s senior campus hall