BYOD plays an important role in the learning experience within the Waitematā and Rangitoto Whānau.  While it is not compulsory, we recommend it to support digital learning opportunities.  Having their own device helps students develop their digital literacy skills and learn about the care and responsibility associated with technology.

While the school provides devices, having access to a personal, newer device gives students the flexibility and advantages of consistent, reliable technology during their learning.

The school uses the Ministry of Education Filtering Service (N4L) and a third-party app called Gaggle to provide a secure environment, and students will use a school-managed Chrome Browser to access online resources.

Students in Years 5 and 6 do not require email accounts to access the Educational Applications and programs that we use at school.  Social media accounts are blocked at school.

Device Recommendations: We highly recommend Chromebooks for students, as they have proven to be the most reliable and cost-effective option for BYOD at Churchill Park since 2014.  Chromebooks work seamlessly with Google Apps for Education and the Hapara Teacher Dashboard.  We advise against using iPads or tablets, as they can be difficult to integrate with some applications.

When purchasing a device, please consider the following:

• Minimum 4GB of RAM
• Solid State Hard Drive (SSD)
• A protective case or bag
• Bluetooth headphones
• A mouse

For your convenience, one of our suppliers has created a webpage with deals based on these recommendations. CLICK HERE to view the page.  You may also want to take advantage of Black Friday sales which can be a great opportunity to purchase devices at a discounted price.

Getting Ready for Next Year:

If you purchase a Chromebook and your child wishes to use this before the beginning of the school year, please ensure that the primary account loaded onto the device is your child’s school email address.  This will ensure they can access their device at school when we return in February.

To ensure your child is ready for school next year, both you and your child will need to sign the BYOD Letter of Understanding and the Cybersafety contract. These documents must be returned to the school before your child can use their device at school.  Please read through these carefully with your child to ensure they understand what they are agreeing to.