Learning with ICT

Te ako Hangarau Pārongo me te Rorohiko (ICT)

Preparatory School students at St Andrew’s are active users of digital tools in their learning both in and outside of the classroom, and are encouraged to become responsible Digital Citizens.

St Andrew’s is proud to be acknowledged as one of the most innovative Microsoft 365 schools in New Zealand. We have also embraced collaboration with cloud-based technology.

As part of our 1:1 Computing programme, all students in Year 7 and above bring their own device to school, which is selected from a range of recommended models, and connected to online resources through the College’s wireless network. This enables information to be shared between teachers and students in real time, greatly enhancing the learning experience.

We are now finding that students in Years 6 are increasingly choosing to bring their own device too, and this is welcomed. However, this is not mandatory, and class devices appropriate for all corresponding year levels from Year 6 and below are available.

Technology Initiatives

We are committed to applying technology widely to learning, linking with external experts, supporting collaborative learning, developing digital media and information literacy skills, and ensuring that technology is used to authentically and creatively to enrich students’ learning.

In 2017 we introduced a new coding curriculum for Year 7–8 students. The Preparatory School Senior Syndicate uses programs to write both simple and complex programs, design games, and automate processes and procedures.

Year 4–6 students also create their own programs using coding applications.

Preparatory School students are also involved in the Robotics Club at St Andrew’s, participating in the Lego Mindstorm initiative, which is supported by the University of Canterbury. Year 8 students can also become involved in the VEX Robotics competition.