ICT at CGPS

BYOD Update

From 2027, Carlton Gardens Primary School will no longer have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. This means families will no longer need to purchase or provide a device for their child to bring to school. 

This change aligns with Department of Education 2027 guidelines for all Victorian primary schools. From 2027, schools are expected to limit student use of digital devices:

• Foundation–Year 2: Minimal use, except when learning about and with digital technologies as part of the Victorian Curriculum.

• Years 3–6: A maximum of 90 minutes per day.

   

Technology will still be a part of classroom learning at CGPS. Students will have access to school-owned devices when needed and will continue to develop important digital skills, including using technology safely and responsibly.

This change will help us maintain a healthy balance between digital learning and other important learning experiences, including reading, writing, discussion, collaboration and hands-on activities.

We understand that this represents a change for our school community, particularly for families who have previously participated in the BYOD program. We will continue to communicate with families as we prepare for the transition to these new arrangements for the 2027 school year.

Working Together to Keep Students Safe

At Carlton Gardens Primary School, we want students to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. Technology provides many opportunities for students to learn, create and explore, and we also want students to understand how to stay safe when using it.

At school, we teach students about responsible online behaviour, including protecting personal information, communicating respectfully, recognising unsafe or inappropriate content and knowing when to ask a trusted adult for help. 

Our ICT Acceptable Use Agreement is discussed with students and shared with families at the beginning of each year. It outlines our expectations for students when using technology at school and how parents and carers can support safe technology use at home. We encourage families to revisit the agreement with their child and continue conversations about being safe, respectful and responsible online.

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

We have recently noticed an increase in the number of students bringing smart watches to school. We would like to remind families that our Mobile Phone Policy includes smart watches and other personal devices with similar functionality to a mobile phone.

During school hours, including recess and lunchtime, these devices must not be used unless an approved exception is in place. Our policy requires personal mobile devices (including smart watches) brought to school to be switched off and securely stored in the school office.

If families need to contact their child during the school day, please continue to contact the school office. Likewise, if a student needs to contact home, staff will support them to do this through the appropriate school processes.

Families can read our full Mobile Phone Policy.

Online Chats and Messaging at Home

We have become increasingly aware that students are communicating with one another through online games, group chats, messaging platforms and other digital spaces outside of school hours. While these interactions take place at home, they can have a significant impact on friendships, wellbeing and relationships at school.

We encourage families to regularly check in with their child about the platforms they are using and, where appropriate, have visibility of their online conversations. These check-ins are a valuable opportunity to talk about what respectful communication looks like online and remind children that the same expectations of kindness and respect apply whether we are speaking face-to-face or through a screen.

Importantly, children need to know what to do when an online conversation becomes unkind, uncomfortable or inappropriate. Encourage your child not to respond or join in, to step away from the conversation, save or show the messages to a trusted adult where appropriate, and speak with a parent, carer or another trusted adult for support.

Keeping children safe online is a shared responsibility between school and home. By having regular, open conversations about technology—not only when something goes wrong—we can help our students develop the judgement, confidence and skills they need to navigate an increasingly digital world safely, respectfully and responsibly.