With the start of the 2026 school year fast approaching, it’s time to prepare for a hard start and stock up on classroom essentials before students and teachers return.
According to Kirsten Hayward, Category Manager Education at Winc, having a well-resourced classroom supports learning and encourages critical thinking, helping students focus on achieving their personal best without worrying about access to materials or experiencing shortages.
Here, Kirsten shares her top six classroom essentials to enhance collaboration, creativity and learning throughout the year.
1. Physically writing things down enhances retention.
In an increasingly digital environment, writing materials play a vital role in classroom learning. Research shows that handwriting activates a broader network of brain regions involved in motor, sensory and cognitive processing1.
“Encouraging students to physically write down notes, thoughts, ideas and tasks has so many benefits for enhanced learning. The process forces the brain to slow down and focus. It also activates more sensors and helps to build motor skills. The more sensors involved in learning, the better the retention,” explains Kirsten.
The BIC® Round Stic™ Ecolutions™ ballpoint pen is ideal for a variety of workplace conditions and is made from 74% pre-recycled plastic. While the new Pilot FriXion Clicker Erasable Gel Ink Retractable Rollerball Pen is another option that features thermos-sensitive ink, allowing mistakes to be easily erased with the built-in eraser tip.
2. Enable students to learn at their own pace with digital resources.
”Whether engaging in online modules or interactive learning on digital devices, students can stay focused and comfortable with the Jabra Evolve2 30 SE MS Stereo headset. This lightweight, portable headset offers noise-cancelling technology for more focused work.
“For students who like to learn at their own pace, a headset provides a way to minimise distractions, reduce cognitive fatigue by reducing the need to constantly filter out background noise and supports deeper focus during independent work,” advises Kirsten.
3. Make brainstorming and idea sharing fun!
Sticky notes can be a fun way of encouraging students to participate in collaborative activities, such as brainstorming. Writing their own ideas on individual notes and sharing them on classroom surfaces fosters engagement, collaboration and ownership.
“Sticky notes make interacting with ideas easy and fun. Teachers can give students their own notes to hang up on the whiteboard or walls to bring ideas to life. In addition to using them for brainstorming, sticky notes can also be used for mural and pixel art, or for reminders,” says Kirsten.
A great choice is the Post-It Super Sticky Pop-Up Notes, which comes in vibrant shades of yellow, blue and pink and has 2x sticking power.
4. Bring a burst of colour into the classroom.
Colour in the classroom can influence mood, engagement and learning outcomes in subtle but powerful ways.
“There are so many benefits of incorporating colour into the classroom environment. Colourful elements throughout the classroom can boost focus and attention, support emotional wellbeing and spark creativity and curiosity,” shared Kirsten.
A great way to achieve this is with Marbig’s Polypick Document Wallet Foolscap Bright Assorted Translucent Pack 12, ideal for filing classroom documents, awards and reports. Available in assorted bright colours, these wallets are durable and tear-resistant to protect documents and feature an identification panel for writing a student’s name.
5. Encourage active engagement.
Enhance the learning space with the addition of a mobile magnetic whiteboard.
“There are so many benefits of having a multi-purpose whiteboard. Not only is it a wonderful tool for visual thinking and organisation, it can also help with the facilitation of collaboration and group work. Additionally, a multi-purpose whiteboard encourages creativity, trial and error and visual experimentation,” suggests Kirsten.
The Penrite Quartet Penrite Premium Whiteboard 900L x 600Wmm White is a great choice for encouraging interactive collaboration. It features a commercial grade writing surface that erases cleanly and resists ghosting over time. For writing on the whiteboard, consider the Pilot Begreen V Board Whiteboard Marker Chisel 2.2-5.2mm Blue Box 10 featuring a chisel tip designed for precise, vibrant writing. The light-resistant, pure liquid ink delivers outstanding visibility and remains clear and legible from up to 10 metres.
6. Keep surfaces clean and fresh.
Create a healthy learning environment by keeping the classroom fresh and hygienic throughout the school day. Between morning tea and lunch, surfaces can accumulate bacteria and germs brought from the outside.
“A simple wipe can provide household grade disinfection, prevent the spread of germs in the classroom and clean up incidental accidents such as spills or mess from art and craft activities,” recommends Kirsten.
Using Pine O Cleen Biodegradable Disinfectant Wipes kills more that 99.9% of germs/bacteria and viruses across more than 100 surfaces such as basins, rubbish bins, floors, keyboards and more while leaving the classroom smelling pleasant with a tropical blossom fragrance.
Find everything you need at Winc with our BIG Welcome Back SALE for Term 1. Stock up on educational essentials and get the new school year off to a great start.
References.
1.Marano G, Kotzalidis GD, Lisci FM, Anesini MB, Rossi S, Barbonetti S, Cangini A, Ronsisvalle A, Artuso L, Falsini C, Caso R, Mandracchia G, Brisi C, Traversi G, Mazza O, Pola R, Sani G, Mercuri EM, Gaetani E, Mazza M. The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing-Who Wins the Battle? Life (Basel). 2025 Feb 22;15(3):345. doi: 10.3390/life15030345. PMID: 40141690; PMCID: PMC11943480.
