Our Approach to Technology

Excellent teaching relies on a broad range of methods and we therefore embrace the use of a wide variety of technologies. Our aim is to deepen thinking and learning, and we recognise the new opportunities to connect, create and collaborate provided by technology. Teachers and students are encouraged to navigate the changing digital landscape thoughtfully and critically, and the use of technology is regularly reviewed and modified in light of current evidence. Our approach is balanced: technology is welcomed and integrated where it assists learning, but we are wary of uncritical enthusiasm that promotes technology for its own sake.

Creating Space for Relationships

The relationship between teacher and pupil is at the heart of our education and technology is integrated discerningly to protect this. We prioritise friendship and community by expecting our students to use their time together – at recess, lunchtime and during breaks – to relate to each other face to face. Digital devices must be invisible and inaudible during the school day, unless being used for study, and we cherish the quality of the social environment that results.

Junior School

  • Focus on foundational skills: literacy, numeracy, handwriting, gross and fine motor skills, communication and collaboration skills.
  • Touch-typing from Kindergarten but priority given to the development of correct letter formation and fluent handwriting.
  • Reading from books emphasised in accordance with clear evidence of learning advantage over reading from screens.
  • Curriculum K-6: digital literacy, digital citizenship, information literacy, coding, robotics. Cocurricular opportunities through project, clubs and competitions.
  • Ready access to tablets, laptops, desktops for classroom use. 

Middle Years (Years 7 and 8)

  • Continued development of fluent reading, handwriting, research skills, and specific teaching of digital literacy, digital citizenship and information literacy.
  • Ready access to tablets, laptops, desktops on all three campuses. 

Senior Years (Years 9-12)

  • Continued development of skills and knowledge from Middle Years.
  • Students move to BYOD model with ongoing development of associated skills.
  • Increasing expectation of independence and self-regulation.

Other features

  • All years K-12 use an online learning management system.
  • In addition to personal devices, a range of technologies appropriate to different disciplines is used in the classroom to enhance teaching.
  • Students have access to cloud-based applications and storage.
  • Additional ways to work with technology and explore STEAM opportunities are provided through cocurricular programs.

Technology Procedures – for teachers

In light of current research our approach to technology, we encourage the following:

  • Integration of technology in alignment with syllabus requirements and cross curricular priorities.
  • Careful attention to the effectiveness of a task using technology in directing thinking towards the learning outcomes rather than the technology itself.
  • The use of handwriting for notetaking and written responses wherever possible according to professional judgment.
  • Reading from paper rather than screens to encourage comprehension and deeper understanding.
  • Active monitoring by teachers in the classroom to minimise distraction or misuse of technology.
  • Regular communication of academic honesty policy and explicit teaching of digital citizenship by all teachers especially for online research tasks.
  • Consistent use of Canvas to make up-to-date resources available, to communicate key course or class information and for submission of all digital tasks. 
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  • Locked Bag 1
    Mosman NSW 2088
  • ABN 83 000 532 696
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