Important Notices

One of the things I have learnt this year at Nexus is how the strength of the community can have such a positive impact on the holistic development of our learners. I have enjoyed listening to your feedback at sessions which ran earlier this year and also listening to all colleagues and some learners. We continue to improve in everything we do and your part in this process is vital.

The 2017-18 survey is your opportunity to tell us what you think. I know many of you are not able to attend feedback sessions but we still want you to have a voice. Please take a few minutes of your time to complete the survey and add any comments you have which will help us to improve further. Your children will also be completing a survey in class and the younger learners will be asked for their feedback. We will be sending you the summary of the findings to keep you informed.

The information from the survey is used to measure our progress and to inform our rigorous strategic planning process where clear targets are set for the school to achieve. The feedback is generally very positive which is always reassuring. Areas for improvement are then identified and added to our strategic plans.

The annual survey of parental satisfaction is now open and can be accessed from the email sent earlier this week. The survey will remain open until 4th May at 4.30pm. As a strong learning community, we need to work together so I encourage you to complete the survey to ensure the future success of the school.

Judy Cooper, Principal

An email has been sent out encouraging parents of Year 5 learners to consider their 1:1 device for Year 6. The email is copied below. Worth noting is the inclusion of the iPad Pro as a 1:1 device option. This is the first time we have included a tablet device and it follows an evaluation of the capabilities of this new, more powerful iPad with Apple's new iOS 11.

If you have any questions about our 1:1 programme or would like some advice about 1:1 devices, please contact Lee Wilson - wilson.l@nexus.edu.sg.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you know, the 1:1 device scheme begins in Year 6. All learners are expected to arrive for school in August equipped with their own laptop or tablet on the first day of term. We recommend a 13” MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or iPad Pro (10.5” or 12.9”) with Logitech Slim Combo with detachable keyboard. The Apple Pencil is optional. This is the first year that the iPad Pro has been included in our approved device list. The decision to include it was made following comparisons with MacBooks which showed that an iPad Pro with iOS 11 can perform all of the functions of a laptop whilst providing additional benefits for learning. These benefits include mobility, pen driven interaction and the ability to more easily share learning.

We recommend that you purchase a device from an Apple Authorised Reseller, by visiting Apple’s Orchard Road store or via Apple's online store. It is possible to purchase refurbished MacBooks and iPad Pros at a reduced price from the online store too. They come with a one year warranty. We would recommend this keyboard, which ships from the USA, for a refurbished 9.7” iPad Pro.

As a Google G Suite for Education school, we have seen the demand for Microsoft Office applications decline over the past few years. If we find that the software becomes a necessary tool for learning, we will provide the means to download it for free as we have a school licence in place. We insist on the installation of security software for MacBooks. We use Orbicule's Undercover which is free. We also use Meraki device management software. This is also free. We will inform learners of the software installation schedule when they arrive at school in August. This does not apply to iPads. We currently cannot afford iPads the protection of Undercover as it is not iPad compatible. We therefore recommend the use of Apple’s Find My iPhone facility. This will allow parents to locate lost or misplaced iPads.

Children under the age of 13 cannot have their own Apple ID. However, a family Apple ID will be required to download free apps such as Google Chrome. We recommend that this account is not linked to a payment card.

We will run a 1:1 workshop for parents, and a series of activities for learners at the start of the new academic year. These will help prepare your family as your child looks to take advantage of 1:1 access in and out of lessons. We will also take the opportunity to work through the Responsible Use Policy together. This will ensure that learners use their devices and the Internet safely and that they understand what it means to be a responsible digital citizen. We recommend that learners do not have access to their device before starting school as they may be more likely to adopt bad habits. However, if they will have access, we recommend you use the Common Sense Media website to help you set up strong agreements at home; we encourage you to reinforce that MacBooks and iPads are powerful learning tools (not toys or extra games consoles) and learners should see them as such. Learners will be expected to bring their devices to school on their first day; the device will then remain in school until we have completed our programme focusing on responsible use and digital citizenship.

Apple devices are premium devices and we encourage learners to care for them at all times. To this end, we provide safe and secure storage in our classrooms. The devices used in Year 6 are stored in classrooms throughout break and lunchtimes.

If you would like any further information or clarification regarding the content of this email, please email ict@nexus.edu.sg.

Paul Beach (Head of Primary School)

Lee Wilson (Director of Learning Technologies)

Lee Wilson, Director of Learning Technologies