Dear Friends,

I trust you have taken the opportunity to meet with your child’s classroom teacher over the past week to discuss their progress. It has been wonderful to see the new Curiosity Centre serving the dual purpose of hosting the Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews. These conversations are important touchpoints between teachers and parents to meet face to face. With families and school life busier and busier, this vital connection point serves to better support the collaborative nature of the parent and primary school teacher partnership. We thank all our families who have managed to meet with the teachers this term.

On Monday 15 August, 3D, 3J and 3M will be operating from their new classrooms in T Block (new building). At this stage all Year 2 and 3 students will continue to sit and play before school where they currently do. This will allow the students to be contained for before school supervision as well as play their much-loved handball before school. Teachers will introduce the 3D, 3J and 3M students to their new line-up and eating areas in readiness for Monday.

Future of the 1:1 Device program at Yeronga State School

At present, Yeronga State School operates a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) 1:1 program for all students in Year 3-6. Students in Year 2 who previously were requested to BYOD, now access school owned iPads. The use of 1:1 device at school to support and enhance the student’s engagement with the Australian Curriculum is supported by the Yeronga teaching staff. There are however disadvantages reported by parents and staff. One of the most problematic issues teachers face is the distraction of parent and friend messenger messages appearing on the device throughout the school day. This is a potential privacy issue as well as highly distracting to the student. It is appreciated that any parent/other wishing to relay a message to their child during the school day do so via the school office. Similarly, students are reminded that should they wish to contact their parent during the school day, that this also occur with permission from the class teacher and via the school office.

From 2022, the BYOD program will be fazed out with school owned devices. The reason for this is greater school control of the devices in order to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages. This commenced in 2022 with Year 2 and in 2023 Year 3 students will move to school owned devices. In 2024, Year 4. 2025, Year 5 and 2026 Year 6. Students in older grades will be able to take the device home for school related homework under a hire arrangement when they cease the BYOD arrangement. More information will be shared at the upcoming PandC meeting on Tuesday evening. If this is an area of concern or interest to you, I encourage you to attend the meeting as the PandC is the consultative forum with our parent community on school matters.

Have a wonderful week,

Eunice