Phasing out BYODD Years 4–6
Following the NSW Government's announcement of new screen-use guidelines towards the end of Term 3, Rose Bay Public School will be progressively phasing out our Bring Your Own Designated Device (BYODD) program.
These new guidelines place a greater emphasis on purposeful, age-appropriate technology use, ensuring that screen time genuinely enhances student learning and is balanced with other valuable learning experiences.
What does this mean for students and families?
To ensure a smooth and fair transition, particularly for families who have already purchased devices, the following arrangements will apply:
- Year 6 in 2027: Students will continue with the existing BYODD arrangements for their final year of primary school.
- Year 5 in 2027: Students will continue with BYODD. We also anticipate that these students will continue using their devices when they enter Year 6 in 2028, recognising that families purchased these devices with the expectation of using them across multiple years.
- Year 4 in 2027 and future cohorts: Students will no longer participate in the BYODD program, including as they progress into Years 5 and 6. Families will not be required to purchase a designated device for school use.
What about technology in the classroom?
Importantly, this change does not mean technology will be removed from teaching and learning at Rose Bay Public School.
Our school is well-resourced with a plentiful supply of school-owned iPads, robotics kits and a range of other digital technologies. These resources will continue to provide all students with engaging, hands-on opportunities to develop essential digital technologies skills, regardless of whether they bring a personal device to school.
We remain committed to delivering authentic and meaningful learning experiences that develop students' digital literacy, creativity, problem-solving and computational thinking skills. Teachers will continue to integrate technology where it serves a clear educational purpose, supports curriculum outcomes and enhances student learning, while ensuring our practices align with the Department of Education's new screen-use guidelines.
We recognise that this announcement comes relatively close to the end of the school year and that some families may have already been considering device purchases for 2027. We appreciate your understanding as we respond to these recently announced changes and work towards a smooth and equitable transition for all students.
How iPads support learning
In Years 4–6, iPads are used to support learning across key areas such as English, Mathematics, other KLAs and coding, and to enhance learning through apps and tools including Apple apps, Google Suite and augmented reality experiences.
English
Students draft, edit and publish writing using purposeful digital tools. Additionally, students compose multimodal texts.
Mathematics
Students practise, model, represent and explain maths thinking with apps and visuals.
Other KLAs
Students research, collaborate, create and present learning across the curriculum. This is achieved using a variety of different applications and tools.
Coding
Students use coding and robotics to build problem-solving and computational thinking.
Accessing WiFi at school
At school, students connect to the Department of Education WiFi network, which provides access to child-friendly and approved websites. Sites such as YouTube, social media and inappropriate sites are blocked while students are at school.
Teachers supervise and monitor each student's device usage with Apple Classroom.