60 iPads handed out to students in initiative

INITIATIVE: Rotorua Boys' High School Year 9 students, Gabriel Forrest (left) and Todd Storey, with Noel Leemings Bay of Plenty commercial business manager Daniel Pereira. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Sixty iPads were handed out to Rotorua Boys' High School students this week in a collaborative effort to provide them with the best advantages that comes with embracing digital technology in learning programmes.

Through an initiative among the school, Nga Pumanawa e Waru, Noel Leeming and Credit Union Central, a vision to give every student the chance to access an iPad for their learning has become a reality.

Nga Pumanawa director of technology Adam Ellis said Tuesday was a demonstration of how a collective impact worked to provide all children with an iPad that was easy to use and safe.

Mr Ellis said to date more than 60 per cent of the Year 9 students had taken advantage of the community-funded model that Nga Pumanawa e Waru, Noel Leeming and Credit Union designed.

"Our vision of finding a way for every parent to fund a device has been the hallmark of this collaborative effort."

With careful planning by Nga Pumanawa e Waru and Rotorua Boys' High School all devices were configured and ready for learning within the hour by using a Mobile Device Management Software.

"Looking into 2017, Rotorua Boys' High School is the beacon high school for how technology works to make learning with devices simple and trusted.

"Now is an opportunity for our teachers to nurture the innovation that comes from having technology they trust will work."

Principal Chris Grinter said the students ultimately benefited with the school working alongside Nga Pumanawa e Waru, Noel Leeming and the Credit Union.

"In 2016 our school underwrote the rollout of iPads to our Year 9 students. In the longer term, this may not have been sustainable both in cost terms but also in time to manage the exercise.

"We are, therefore, grateful, that Nga Pumanawa e Waru and the two other partners collaborated to make this happen so smoothly for this year's group.

"This is a realisation of the Nga Pumanawa e Waru vision and our school's vision to provide future-focused learning for the boys of this city."

- Supplied by Rotorua Boys' High School