Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our students use the one device from Year 3 to Year 6. Anzac Park recommends students begin Year 3 with a recent iPad model (released within the last 24 months), so that the devices continues to receive software updates during their schooling. Of course, iPads which are older can also be used.

Many recent iPads will have a minimum storage of 64Gb. This is enough for all school work. Of course, if your child is likely to use their device for activities outside of school, particularly gaming, downloading movies or making videos, you may choose to purchase more storage. It is important that students have enough storage for school base tasks, but generally this has not been a problem.

1 to 1 access to devices means that one student has access to one device. This allows students to fully participate in technology-enabled learning. Anzac Park’s 1 to 1 BYOD learning program supports our whole-school teaching and learning plan and curriculum priorities.

Through the BYOD program, Anzac Park Public School promotes ‘Quality over Quantity’. Teachers recognise that iPads are just one pedagogical tool at their disposal. It is crucial that students gain the skills to use a wide range of tools to become confident and active citizens of the 21st Century. 

In classrooms, there continues to be an emphasis on developing artistic skills using a range of hands-on materials, students continue to use instruments during music lessons, and concrete manipulatives are still used to help children understand new mathematical concepts.

Particularly when it comes to writing, it is crucial that students continue to develop skills in handwriting, fluency and book work using paper and pens/pencils. While most writing will occur on paper in 3-6 classrooms, this is balanced with learning skills in word processing and document publication.

By providing students with one-to-one access to iPads, the school ensures that students' time using technology is meaningful and rich.

Core to our BYOD policy is that these devices will only be used during designated learning activities in the classroom. Students are not be allowed to access their iPads before or after school, or during lunch and recess breaks.

Anzac Park Public School has implemented the BYOD program in alignment with research and syllabus requirements.

The Australian Curriculum mandates the teaching of Digital Technologies across all Key Learning Areas. Technology courses across Kindergarten to Year 10 aim to engage students in a diverse range of practical experiences and develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary and advancing technologies. NSW syllabus documents demonstrate how students need to develop skills in exploring technology solutions to identified problems and situations, and examine the impact of technologies on the individual, society and the environment.

The Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum: Challenge and Opportunity identifies research that can guide effective implementation and as schools’ treatment of ICT changes driven by the relatively recent acknowledgement of the growing importance of ICT in industry and society.

For more information on the decision to go BYOD you can read the 2013 Literature Review: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in Schools. This clearly displays the main advantages and concerns around BYOD programs according to literature.

Most of our students use the one device from Year 3 to Year 6. This is supported by students beginning Year 3 with a recent iPad model and taking appropriate care with their device.

Generally, students’ devices should be brought to school and go home with students each day. In exceptional circumstances, the parent can negotiate options with the key teacher.

We understand that for many children this would be their primary device, and students are able to download other apps approved by their parents. These apps should not be accessed during the school day, and many would be blocked by the school’s WiFi. If any of these apps are proving to be a distraction during the school day, teachers may communicate with parents/carers about removing the apps.

At the commencement of each school year students from Grades 3-6 are required to complete a Cybersafety learning day suitable to their year level. At the end of the day, students are then issued with the BYOD Student Agreement, which they are required to complete with a parents/caregiver, before beginning the BYOD program. This often means BYOD programs begin by Week 3 of Term 1. It is important all students have a device at this point.

Parents should encourage open and regular communication about what their children are seeing and doing online. In addition, we promote the use of parental controls that work for you and your family. These may include:

• on your home wi-fi network

• built into devices, including computers, mobile devices, gaming consoles and smart TVs

• through third-party software

• in apps and programs, including streaming services, web browsers and search engines

To gain more information about these options, please visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology

Please refer to page Cybersafety@APPS in which additional information has been provided about management of student devices as well as the teaching of Cybersafety principles. This will give you information concerning the security on Department of Education Wi-Fi, our school cybersafety programs, and how teachers monitor student usage of devices.

There are several options for managing your child’s iPad, even if you do not have access to a separate Apple device. Parents can use parental controls directly on the child’s device. When first using the iPad, go to Settings and select “This is My Child’s [Device]”. You will then be able to set up a parent passcode to manage screen time and restrict the settings on your device. There is more information available on the Apple Website: https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201304 

Some parents may prefer to use third party software, such as Family Zone (https://www.familyzone.com/anz/families) for parental controls.

Students will not be asked to publish their school work publicly. If parents have provided the school Permission to Publish, staff may share student work in Department of Education publications including the school newsletter or website, or official school social media accounts.