Enrolment
ict & byod
Vision: “ Use IT to enhance teaching and learning opportunities and prepare students for their future today. “
As part of its commitment to enhancing student learning, Rāroa is committed to the provision and use of appropriate learning technologies in all classes. To ensure the safety of students the school has a “User Agreement” to promote positive digital citizenship interactions around the use of IT. Please complete and return this when you receive it.
Rāroa Normal Intermediate is a Google apps school. We do have some Apple products that help enhance classroom and DPE programmes.
BYOD
Rāroa Normal Intermediate is an optional BYOD School (Bring your own device).
School-wide WIFI access is free to students through their school log-on. The advantages for students bringing their own devices are many and varied. A student-owned internet-capable device can provide valuable learning
opportunities.
We recognise that students are only at Rāroa Normal Intermediate for 2 years so parents should also take into account any requirements that secondary schools may have if buying a brand new device (see table below). BYOD devices such as Chromebook and laptops are highly encouraged as they cater to a wider range of learning opportunities. The use of these devices can be monitored closely and utilise the school’s filtering controls. You can now purchase a BYOD Chromebook device directly from Rāroa (see Purchasing a Device below).
BYOD Devices for use at Rāroa Normal Intermediate should have:
Information on devices
What to buy
Chromebooks – Good value for money and accesses all apps we used at Rāroa. Always connected to the internet.
Windows 10 Laptop – Versatile and easily available. Generally more expensive than a Chromebook. Can be used offline with installed applications.
Apple MacBook – More expensive with a longer device life with OS upgrades.
iPads/Android Tablets – Limited to onscreen keyboard, unless purchased with a Bluetooth keyboard. Not always compatible with all our school apps. iPads are generally quite expensive compared to Android tablets.
Purchasing a device
BYOD Chromebooks can now be purchased directly from Rāroa using Kindo. If you don’t currently have access to Kindo, contact the Rāroa office for support.
Purchasing directly from school means that you can have the confidence that your child’s device will work straight out of the box. If looked after properly, BYOD Chromebooks will last 3 – 4 years. Chromebooks can also be used at most Wellington secondary schools (please see the Table of Colleges below).
Device specifications:
Option 1: Samsung Chromebook 4
11.6-Inch UHD Graphics
Intel Celeron Processor N4020
4GB RAM
16GB Storage
Special Launch Price: $310! (Limited to the first 32 sales at this price – Don’t miss out!)
Option 2: Asus Chromebook C204
11.6 Inch HD Display
Intel Celeron Processor
4GB RAM
Rugged design, perfect for school life
Price: $410
Click here to purchase from our Kindo online shop
Use of mobile phones at school
Cell phones (Smartphones) can be useful as a secondary device, for on-the-spot learning or recording of learning. There is a higher risk of misuse, as the cellular network can be used to bypass the firewalls and content filters that Rāroa Normal Intermediate has set up. We recommend parents set up their own content filters for their child’s phone when on a cellular network.
Break and Lunchtime restrictions
Teachers will be requesting that students put their phones away at break time. We provide lockable storage which students can utilise or where necessary teachers will instruct students to lock them away.
During class time
Phones can be a powerful learning tool that can provide access to learning tools. Teachers will, however, restrict mobile use during class time, giving students access to their phones only when required for learning purposes, as stated in the student user agreement.
Table of Colleges
Below is a table of colleges that most of our students attend after leaving Rāroa along with what their recommendations are.
If looked after properly, devices such as Laptops and Chromebooks will last 3-4 years.
| School | Recommended Device | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Onslow College | Chromebook, Laptops | Google apps school |
| Wellington Girls College | Chromebook, Laptops | Google apps school |
| Wellington College | Chromebook (Year 9/10); Laptops from Year 10 onwards | Google apps school |
| Newlands College | Netbook, laptop, Ultrabook or Chromebook. | Google apps school |