Buying Stationery for Secondary School and Junior College — 2025/26 IP-Friendly Guide

Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)

12 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z

TL;DR
One organised pencil case = fewer careless slips.
This guide sorts every tool you need - from exam-approved calculators $\rightarrow$ 0.5 mm mechanical pencils - into core, lab, exam-only and nice-to-have buckets.
Links point to official SEAB lists, sustainability start-ups and tried-and-tested favourites among IP maths & physics classes.

1 | Why Stationery Still Matters in IP Maths & Physics

Vector-sign discipline begins with a clear ruler & 0.5 mm lead - thin lines cut mis-readings on free-body diagrams.
Paper 4 practical is 20 % of the A-Level grade; a grid notebook keeps data tables neat while spreadsheet skills grow.
Approved calculator codes change yearly; bringing the wrong model voids your paper.
SEAB's 2025 list flags the Casio fx-97SG X & Sharp EL-W531S as safe choices Approved Scientific Calculators List 2025.

2 | Core Pencil-Case (Daily Lessons)

Item	Why students choose it	Quick tip
0.5 mm mechanical pencil (e.g. Uni-Kuru Toga)	Fine lead = crisp algebra, lighter pressure = less smudge Wirecutter review	Carry 2 tubes of HB leads; swap after every WA to curb breakage.
Pilot G-2 0.38 pen	Smooth gel flow; ink doesn't bleed through foolscap Shoppiverse pick	Keep blue and black - some teachers mark in colour.
15 cm transparent ruler	Traces axes inside A5 lab book; fits pencil case.	Pick a bevel-edge model to avoid ink bleed.
Soft-grip eraser (Staedtler Mars plastic)	Leaves no graphite ghosting.	Slice one eraser into thirds; lighter to carry.
0.1 mm gel fineliner (black)	Diagram labels stay sharp at 50 % photo reduction for RE reports.	Archive notes digitally - high DPI scanners love dark, thin lines.

3 | Lab & Practical Kit (Sec 3 -> JC 2)

Must-have	Why / WA link	Source
A4 5 mm grid notebook	Paper 4 ACE rubrics demand labelled axes, units SEAB Guidance	Staple a spare sheet to each spread for spill-proofing.
Mini protractor (180°)	RI & HCI Y3 WAs include vector triangles; small protractors slide under ring-binders.	Clamp with binder clip to stop slipping.
Coloured tabs	Flag “calibration”, “results”, “evaluation” sections for speedy lab-book marking.	Use neon only - pastel fades in lab light.
Calculator: Casio fx-97SG X or Sharp EL-W531S	Both appear on SEAB's 2025 approval PDF (see §1)	Label with candidate index no. sticker.
USB-C cable + phone stand	Schools now allow video timing in pendulum WAs Physics Classroom Pendulum FAQ	240 fps setting cuts reaction-time error $\approx 0.04 \pu{s}$.

4 | Exam-Only “Clean” Kit

Bring duplicates -> skip sharing -> maintain focus.

Item	Rule snapshot	Official doc
Transparent pencil case (no words)	SEAB forbids pattern/print cases to curb cheating	Exam Rules & Regs 2025
Spare calculator (same model)	If primary fails, swap within 30 s, no rule breach	Same SEAB list
Non-programmable stopwatch	Allowed in A-Level H2 practical (no comms)	SEAB Practical Info Sheet
2 x 0.5 mm pencils + 2 x blue pens	Lost cap? continue writing instantly	—
40 cm flexible ruler	Draw normal lines on ray diagrams without moving paper	—

5 | Eco-Friendly & Ergonomic Upgrades (Optional)

Plantable pencils made from recycled newspaper germinate basil in 7 days A Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Stationery.
Left-Handesign's bamboo notebooks cut plastic spiral waste Left-Handesign Story.
Ergo grips (Kuru Toga “Advance” model) rotate lead as you write - reduces wrist strain over 3-h promos NY Times review.

6 | Budget Math - How Much Should You Spend?

Assume the following basket for a new Sec 3 IP student:

Item	Price ($)
Calculator	33
2 x Pilot G-2 pens	4
0.5 mm mech pencil	6
Leads + erasers (term)	5
Grid notebook (2)	8
Lab protractor	2

Total Cost

\[ \$33 + 4 + 6 + 5 + 8 + 2 = \$58 \]

Divide by 40 school weeks ⇒ < $1.50 per week - less than one bubble tea.

7 | IP-Smart Packing Routine

Sunday (5 min) - top up leads, check pen ink.
Mon PM - move calculator from bag -> desk visible; reduces “left-in-locker” panic.
Night before WA - set phone charging cable + stand inside pencil case.
Friday - wipe clear ruler & compass with alcohol swab; dust eraser crumbs.