Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is compulsory for students at all year levels. All students must bring a personal device and charger each day to support their learning.
Device Information & Protocols
A laptop is the most versatile option for secondary study, particularly for subjects that use specialist software (Digital Technology, the Arts, Media Studies, Technology, and DVC).
A Chromebook is also suitable for many students and works well for everyday tasks such as browsing, note taking, and using web based learning tools.
When purchasing a device, the Ministry of Education recommends choosing one that is:
- durable and splash resistant
- light enough to carry daily
- able to browse the internet, run basic apps, and handle schoolwork
- straightforward to repair
- compatible with school tools and platforms
- supported by an operating system that will receive updates for several years (auto-updating devices are strongly recommended)
If you would like advice on selecting a device, please contact the school and we can guide you toward the most suitable option for your child.
Kaipara College does not accept liability for personal devices. Students bring devices to school at their own risk.
Device lockers with charging stations are available for rent at $10 per term (or $30 per year). Payments and keys are available at the Student Centre. Please also refer to our Device User Agreement.
To keep devices safe, we encourage:
- a protective case or carry bag
- a screen protector
- recording device details and serial numbers
At Kaipara College we maintain a calm, respectful learning environment in line with our WAKA values. Phones are away for the day and not permitted in learning spaces unless approved by the Principal for health or learning support reasons. Most students use devices responsibly. When concerns do arise, we follow a clear, consistent process that protects student privacy and wellbeing.
If a personal device disrupts learning, breaches the phone ban, or raises a safety concern, the teacher issues a Purple Card. The student takes the card and their device to the Kaitiaki or Dean. At that point:
- the device may be held securely until the end of the day (collected by the student or whānau)
- the Kaitiaki/Dean will speak with the student to understand what has happened
Next steps are determined using our behaviour and digital safety guidelines.
If any digital content is found to have the potential to cause harm or indicates serious behaviour concerns, the school may:
- speak with the student
- contact parents or caregivers
- seek guidance from Netsafe
Only the police have the authority to search a device without whānau involvement.
We want all students to use digital technology confidently, responsibly, and safely. With clear expectations, our Purple Card system, and strong partnerships with whānau, we maintain a positive learning environment where young people can thrive.
Year 9 & 10 Device Requirements
- Device Type: A laptop is the most versatile option for secondary school study, especially for subjects that use specialist software (for example Digital Technology, the Arts, Media Studies, Technology, and Design and Visual Communication). A Chromebook is also suitable for many students and works well for everyday learning tasks such as browsing, note taking, and using web based learning tools.
- Screen Size: At least 25 cm / 9.5 inches.
- Keyboard: Onscreen keyboard acceptable but should not occupy more than half the screen. Physical keyboard preferred for ease of typing.
- Ports: At least one USB or USB-C port.
- Operating System:
Chromebook with ChromeOS.
Windows 11 recommended (Windows 10 support ends Oct 2025).
Apple macOS 13.6 or newer.
Android 11 or newer.
Avoid Windows 10S & 11S (they do not support the Chrome browser). - Anti-Virus Software: Not required for ChromeOS but mandatory for Windows and macOS.
- WiFi: 802.11ac (WiFi 5) or 802.11ax (WiFi 6) preferred. School supports older WiFi, but newer standards ensure faster speeds and better connectivity.
- Battery Life: Minimum 6 hours to last a school day.
- Browser: Must support the latest version of Chrome.
- Protection: Protective case or cover is mandatory.
- Charging: USB-C charging is recommended for universal compatibility.
Year 11–13 Device Requirements
Advanced Features as Subjects Progress
- Screen Size: At least 30 cm / 12 inches for multitasking and subject-specific applications.
- Keyboard: Physical keyboard strongly recommended for writing essays and reports.
- Ports: At least two USB or USB-C ports for peripherals. HDMI or adapter for presentations may be helpful.
- Operating System: Windows 11 or macOS 13.6 or newer. Avoid Windows 10S & 11S versions.
- Anti-Virus Software: Required.
- WiFi: 802.11ac (WiFi 5) or 802.11ax (WiFi 6).
- Battery Life: Minimum 8 hours for full-day use with extended periods of note-taking or research.
- Browser: Latest Chrome version support required.
- Storage: Minimum 128GB for general use; 256GB+ preferred for students managing multimedia files.
Recommendations for students taking courses involving digital creation
- Screen Size: Recommended 35 cm / 14 inches (good for design and editing).
- Keyboard & Input Devices: Physical keyboard. Touchscreen/Stylus support for creative subjects (optional but beneficial).
- Ports: Multiple USB/USB-C ports. HDMI or display adapter for external monitors.
- Operating System: Windows 11 or macOS 13.6 recommended for compatibility with professional software.
- Performance: Processor: i5 or equivalent (minimum), i7 or equivalent recommended. RAM: 16GB minimum, more recommended. Storage: Minimum 512GB SSD for project files and media storage. Graphics: Dedicated graphics card or high-performance integrated graphics for editing/rendering (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, CAD).
- WiFi: 802.11ac or 802.11ax for high-speed uploads/downloads.
- Charging: Consider purchasing a spare charger so there can be one at home setup for overnight charging, and this is not left behind on a high use day, as there is a charger permanently in the student’s bag to top up the charge.
- Software: Latest version of the Chrome browser is required at school.
This might apply for courses such as DVC, Design, Photography, Digital Technology, and Media Studies. Please confirm with your subject teacher.