2023 1:1 iPad School Managed Program

Dear Year 3 & 4 Parents and Carers,

We are currently into our third year of utilising the ‘school managed’ 1:1 iPad program, where the student iPads go onto our school iPad management system. Currently only the students in Years 5 and 6 have 1:1 iPads, however, from 2023 onwards, we will be including Year 4 students in our 1:1 iPad program. Our decision to include Year 4 students in the 1:1 iPad program include the following reasons:

❖ NAPLAN 2023
 From 2023 next year, NAPLAN has been moved forward much earlier to March in Term 1, as opposed to May in Term 2. This means that next year the students will have less time spent on their school managed devices in order to be prepared for the NAPLAN writing test. In Year 5 NAPLAN students produce their writing on the iPad. We believe that a 1:1 device in Year 4 will provide optimal learning opportunities for the children to learn how to create and edit a piece of writing using an iPad. Moving to commencing the program in Year 4 will ensure the students are fully prepared to sit the NAPLAN writing test.

❖ NAPLAN 2023
We believe that purchasing an iPad as a learning device for three years, as opposed to only two years is of greater financial benefit to families.

❖ Cyberbullying
Since changing to the school managed 1:1 iPad program, as opposed to the original parent managed 1:1 BYO iPad program, the number of major incidents related to digital technologies has significantly decreased to next to zero in Stage 3 students. The only incidents related to digital technologies in recent years have come from students in Year 4, prior to commencing the school managed program who were using personal devices at home. We are confident that commencing the school managed iPad program in Year 4 will help to support parents control screen time and inappropriate use of the iPads, as children cannot add/buy apps, so messages, social media or gaming apps are not accessible.

❖ Social Media & Gaming
As mentioned above, on the school managed system, children cannot add/buy apps, so messages, social media or gaming apps are not accessible. This reduces the burden on parents and ensures students are using the iPads effectively and for their intended educational purpose.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions, including any financial concerns you may
have.
Mr Sam Mattas