Deputy Principals

Supporting Learning Through BYOD

At Francis Greenway High School, we are committed to providing students with engaging, purposeful and differentiated learning experiences that prepare them for life beyond school. Technology is an important part of this work, and our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program is designed to support teachers and students to engage with technology meaningfully in classroom learning.

Our current BYOD procedure states that all students in Years 7–12 are expected to bring their own device to school every day. Devices are regularly incorporated into lesson sequences, allowing teachers to provide students with opportunities to research, create, collaborate, access digital resources, complete formative assessment and demonstrate their learning in a range of ways.

We are asking parents and carers to support this expectation by helping students to:

• bring their device to school every day;

• ensure their device is fully charged before arriving at school;

• keep software and applications updated;

• bring a device that meets the school’s requirements; and

• take responsibility for the safe storage and care of their device.

Our BYOD specifications include a minimum of 128GB storage, 4GB RAM (8GB recommended), a minimum 11-inch screen and a battery life capable of lasting the school day. Microsoft Office and the Google suite are available to students at no cost through their Department of Education portal.

Why bringing a device every day matters

When students consistently have access to their device, teachers can plan learning experiences with the expectation that the whole class is equipped and ready to participate. This reduces interruptions to lessons and enables teachers to move more seamlessly between explicit teaching, collaborative activities, independent learning and digital interaction.

A device is not required for every lesson; rather, teachers determine when technology will enhance learning. Our goal is to ensure that when a teacher has planned a learning activity requiring technology, students are ready to participate.

It is important to remember that BYOD devices are for learning purposes and must be used safely, responsibly and respectfully. Students must follow teacher directions and school expectations when using technology.

We greatly appreciate the support of parents and carers in establishing the simple routine of “charged, packed and ready to learn” each morning.

Communication Between Home and School

Strong partnerships between families and schools are an important part of supporting student learning, wellbeing and success. We value the communication we have with our parents and carers and encourage families to contact the school when they have a question, concern or piece of information that may assist us in supporting their child.

We also ask families to understand that teachers and school staff are often teaching classes, supervising students, attending meetings or responding to other important matters during the school day. The NSW Department of Education encourages staff to find a time to speak with parents and carers when they can give the matter their full attention, rather than expecting staff to respond immediately while they are teaching or otherwise engaged.

For questions, feedback or complaints, the Department’s current guidance is that schools should acknowledge communication within three working days and aim to provide a response within 20 working days. More complex matters may require investigation, consultation or referral, and in these circumstances families will be kept informed about progress and expected timeframes.

This means that an acknowledgement does not necessarily mean that a matter has been resolved within three working days. Some matters require time to gather information, speak with relevant staff or students, consider policy and determine an appropriate response.

We encourage families to:

• contact the most appropriate staff member in the first instance – for example, the classroom teacher or relevant Head Teacher for subject-specific matters;

• provide clear and relevant information so that the matter can be investigated effectively;

• allow staff reasonable time to respond;

• communicate respectfully and collaboratively; and

• contact the school office if you are unsure who is the most appropriate person to assist.

These expectations reminds parents and carers of their responsibility to communicate with school staff and the wider school community respectfully and collaboratively, consistent with the NSW Department of Education’s School Community Charter.

Our shared goal is simple: to work together in partnership so that every student at Francis Greenway High School is supported to learn, participate and succeed.