Student Story · Confidence · 2026
Jamie's Story of Confidence: How Help with School Uniform Costs Gave Her a Fresh Start in High School
For much of Year 6, Jamie went to school in uniforms that no amount of washing could return to their proper colour.
Her family was living in temporary accommodation on her grandfather's farm in regional NSW. The washing machine ran on solar power and could only be used on a sunny day, and the water came from the farm dam. At school, Jamie was bullied for being different and for smelling like a farm.
She finished primary school performing at the Schools Spectacular in late 2025. “She's a phenomenal drawer,” says a staff member from her primary school.
Help with Back-to-School Costs Before Year 7
Before Year 7 began, the family secured a twelve-month rental and Jamie enrolled at a new high school. Through A Start in Life's Education Essentials support, the family receives $1,200 across the school year for uniforms, stationery, equipment and technology, with the first payment arriving in January.
At Jamie's school, shirts cost $55 each and trousers $45.
“I'm not stressing about getting the stuff she needs, like I normally do. She actually gets brand new.”
Jamie's Mum, Parent
For Jamie, new uniforms meant starting high school “where no one knew me as the dirty uniform kid”.
Making Friends and Finding Confidence in Year 7
The first weeks were not easy. Then, in one class, Jamie sat beside a girl who had drawn a character from a game Jamie plays, and the two started talking. That conversation led to a new group of friends.
A First Guitar and Stories Still to Finish
This year, A Start in Life is also funding something Jamie has never had the chance to try. She chose guitar, and she will be the first person in her family to play an instrument.
Her art is reaching a wider audience as well. Her acrylic painting What Do You See is one of the works going under the hammer at our Student Exhibition and Artwork Auction on 19 November.
Jamie has several unfinished stories and plans to finish one this year. Asked whether she might publish one day, she doubted anyone would buy her books, then reconsidered. “There's eight billion people in the world,” she says. “At least one of them would look at it.”
Become Jamie's Education Hope Hero
Education Hope Heroes give $25, $50 or $100 a month into one shared fund. Every time the fund reaches $1,200, another student starts the school year with their uniforms, stationery and technology covered, the way Jamie did.
All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.
Student names have been changed to protect their family's privacy.
