BYOD Information for 2024

BYOD at Kaipara College

Being a smaller, semi-rural school we often need to bring the world to the College and provide connectivity with worldwide culture, social, and political information. Devices have shown to improve student engagement when coupled with effective teacher pedagogy. Students need to leave school digitally fluent if they are to operate effectively in the workplace in 21st Century and the vast majority of students already bring a device (e.g. Chromebook or laptop) to school for use in class.

BYOD is compulsory for all students at Kaipara College. For those who have difficulty obtaining a suitable device, Kaipara College has both a long-term and short-term loan scheme on devices. Please go to the Parent portal, through our website, for more information.

Broad Guidelines 

Years 9 and 10:  A Chromebook device is perfectly adequate, moderately priced, easy to use and has very few software costs. It has no on-board software and will have limited use if wifi is not available. Everything is stored in the cloud.

Years 11, 12 and 13:  Any device that meets the specifications below is useful. Senior students continuing to university or further study should consider moving up to a laptop.

User Agreements

Each student who wishes to have a device at school will sign a Digital Citizenship Agreement. Enforcement of the rules of Digital Citizenship will be strict.

Device Specifications

• Screen Size:  At least 17cms / 7 inches, 25cms is preferred and recommended
• Keyboard:  An onscreen keyboard or a separate keyboard. An onscreen keyboard should not   take up more than half the screen
• Ports:  At least one USB
• Operating System:  Windows XP, Vista, 7 & 8, Apple mac OS X 10.6 or better, Android 2.1 or better
• Anti-Viral Software:  Must Have
• WiFi:  Must Have: No direct connection to the school system is permitted
• Battery Life:  6 hours or more
• Google:  The device must be able to access Google Drive and Google apps for education
• Protection:  Each device should have a protective cover or case

Security

The school will NOT accept any liability for the security of devices at school. Devices are at school entirely at the student’s risk.

Seizure of Devices

Under the Education Act, the College has the power to seize and search any device if the school suspects there is material that is inappropriate, dangerous or harmful to any student or the learning environment.

Mobile Phones

Students are permitted to use mobile phones at school for learning purposes only which is at the discretion of the teacher. In classtime, students must have their cellphones in their bags but may NOT have them out or use without teacher permission. This covers all classes. Students can use their devices in their interval and lunch breaks.

Students who are caught with their cellphone out, will be Phone Carded to the Kaitiaki (Dean) to have it impounded until the end of the day for collection.

Parents and whanau can support this by calling the School Student Centre on 09 420 8640 ext 810 who will quickly pass on your message.

Kaipara College does not endorse any supplier and these links are provided for information purposes only.