Our iPad Bring Your Own (BYO) device program is coming....

I am pleased to share some exciting news with you. From next year, we will be introducing a Pilot BYO program across all 2020 Year 4 classes, whereby these students will be invited to voluntarily bring an iPad to school to use as their own personal learning device.

In Week 6, all current year three families will receive an email, explaining the program and providing a link to our iPad BYO Program information booklet. The initial Year 4 Pilot program is not only an opportunity to enhance and upscale innovative teaching and learning opportunities for students, but also to ensure that the school network and infrastructure is able to manage increased demand as the iPad program develops and evolves each year.

The 2020 Year 4 implementation timeline

• 2019 Term 4, Week 6 – iPad BYO Program information book sent home via email.
• 2019 Term 4, Week 7 Thursday the 21^st of November at 6 p.m. – Parent information session.
• 2020 Term 1, Week 1, (week beginning Tuesday 28th January) – students can bring their devices to school.

Developing our iPad program

All students in Australia are expected to develop ICT General Capabilities, throughout their schooling, as mandated by the Australian Curriculum (ACARA). The integration of a wide range of ICTs and Digital Technologies  into the classroom to enhance learning outcomes for students is a priority area, identified in parent surveys and in our Strategic Planning.

The purchase and servicing of ICT devices in school, to support this aspect of the curriculum,  has been an issue all schools have been dealing with over the last few years.  At NFSS, a huge amount of funding has been used to purchase new devices that become obsolete very quickly.

In consultation with the P&C Association, our STEM Committee, including parent representatives, has examined information about different models of practice, in relation to devices in primary schools. We have also liaised with Fortitude Valley State High School and conducted a trial of laptops and iPads in Year 6, to establish which device had the most benefits in delivering the curriculum.

Similar programs have already been fully implemented in many other state schools to coincide with full implementation of the Australian Curriculum in 2020.

Background information

In preparation for this new way of working, the school has undertaken significant upgrades to connectivity (i.e. upgrades to wireless capabilities, increased bandwidth speed); hardware (laptops; iPads, robotics etc.) and continued professional development to prepare staff to successfully implement iPads and other technologies in their classrooms. Currently, all classes in the school have a pods of iPads, shared across the year levels, thanks to our P&C Association’s donations. As a result of this commitment and investment towards the school, we are now in the position where we can initially invite all Year 4 families to participate in the Pilot BYO iPad program, on a voluntary basis, commencing at the beginning of 2020.

More information

New Farm State School is fully committed to provide technology rich learning environments ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills to be successful citizens of the future. We thank our P&C committee, who have supported and endorsed our school’s directions with this initiative.