Cost of new school clothes makes pre-owned an attractive option

SUZANNE BELLING

Hardest-hit are children from poorer schools, although rules are not as rigid in those schools, and basic grey shorts and white tops with minor additions are acceptable.

One may think parents of children from private Jewish day schools would comfortably be able to bear the cost of the uniforms. But this is not always the case, especially when these children are receiving subsidised school fees.

In several of the Jewish day schools, members of the PTA have recognised the problem and have opened previously-owned uniform shops to help combat the soaring costs – especially since youngsters grow so fast that more often than not, a blazer may still be in mint condition – but too small! Also, a “snobbish stigma” of yesteryear has in many cases made way for practical considerations.

“It is very informal,” says Melanie Burman, who runs such an enterprise from her home for the benefit of Yeshiva College.

“It is never-ending. And children are always losing things, too. I think it is great to have a second-hand shop whereby uniforms in good condition are donated.”

Burman thought of the idea about 14 years ago when she came across “a whole lot of uniforms in black bags at the school”. She brought them home and began selling from there, which she feels is more discreet.

Coincidentally, her sister Desiree Hoppenstein, unbeknown to Burman until recently, had exactly the same idea for Hirsch Lyons.

“I have a spacious home and thought the school could benefit. The stuff I have is of excellent quality. Cost of the garments is R10 per item and proceeds of the sales go to school funds.”

Melanie Burman can be reached on 082-462-7713 and Desiree Hoppenstein on 082-680-5353.

King David Schools have been running a pre-owned shop in Linksfield for the past 10 years. There are three cupboards in an office set aside for this purpose.

It was started for 45 needy families and now caters for pupils from grade 1 to grade 7 of all the King David Schools.

A spokesman for King David said R20 could buy whatever was needed, with the proceeds going towards a therapy fund for children who needed therapy, but whose parents could not afford it.

Many of the items come from lost property. “There is a clean-up at the end of every term, notices are sent out, announcements are made in the newsletter and if unclaimed (most of the garments are unlabelled) the clothes are put up for sale in the shop, which is open every Tuesday and Thursday morning at KDL Primary.”

Another point made by King David was that children were growing all the time and that items were always getting lost.

The United Herzlia Schools in Cape Town has a pre-owned shop run by PTA mother Beth Silbert for the five primary schools, the Middle School and the High School.

It has been in existence for many years. Those wanting to purchase previously-owned uniforms may e-mail Silbert at beth@infochoice.co.za and inform her of your needs.

A King David Linksfield parent feels pre-owned uniform shops are a “great idea” and hopes parents will donate outgrown or used items.

“In government schools it is possible to buy shirts, for example, or grey pants from affordable clothing shops. But the problem is that many of the logos of the schools are part of the shirts at the Jewish day schools.”

Although she has not found it necessary to buy pre-owned gear in the past, “I would not hesitate to buy quality second-hand clothes, if necessary”.