With the technological evolution of devices, here is a reminder about our BYOD (bring your own device policy)

 We have noticed over the last few weeks a number of children contacting, or being contacted by, their parents during the day on bring your own device (BYOD). This has happened on student cellphones and on student (smart) watches. Therefore we have a couple of reminders in order to clarify our policy.

• All devices that access the internet or data networks are considered BYOD (bring your own device).
• If a student is bringing BYOD then a BYOD permission slip needs to be completed

Part of this permission slip states that:

• Contact between students and parents during the day must go through a Home Base teacher. For example, if someone has forgotten their winter sports uniform (or togs) then the student needs to talk to the HB teacher before contacting parents.
• The student must only access the internet through our (student) wifi. This is the only network that has filters in place to ensure that the students cannot access anything inappropriate at school. 
• The student must not access cellular data (during the school day) without consent from a teacher

In the case of an emergency (natural disaster or school lockdown):

• We will shut down our student wifi as soon as we are able. This is to ensure that the flow of information goes through a teacher and that we can control what information students are accessing
• Students need to ask permission from the teacher before contacting parents. This is to also control the flow of information. We understand that you want to be sure your child is safe, and we will post regularly (school app, Facebook page and email) to reassure you everything is fine. It is important that we keep everyone calm at school. 
• We will contact you personally if there is something wrong.

If you have now realised that you need to complete a BYOD form, there are copies at the office.

Ngā mihi nui

Chris Panther
Deputy Principal - Tumuaki Tuarua