We believe in empowering students to use technology purposefully while protecting their wellbeing. Our comprehensive framework, Keeping Everyone Safe Online, goes beyond simple restrictions to ensure students benefit from technology for learning whilst remaining free from distraction and safe from online risks. We partner with families to create a culture of responsible device use across our Year 0-13 community.
Our approach is built on seven key pillars with clear expectations, simple messaging, and consistent responses when boundaries are crossed. This framework enables students to pursue their educational pathways and co-curricular activities whilst supporting meaningful technology use for research, collaboration, and independent learning during the school day.
Our Seven-Pillar Framework
Educating Our Community
In 2026 we introduced our Year 0-13 Digital Citizenship Programme alongside our pastoral model. We provide ongoing resources through School TV to help families navigate the digital world together, offering practical guidelines for modern challenges and supporting important conversations about healthy technology use at home and school.
Partnership with Parents
We encourage parents to use Apple Family Sharing to have conversations with their daughters about app choices. Through 2026, we’re expanding capabilities for parents and addressing configuration workarounds, extending our partnership beyond school hours. We provide tools and support to help families manage devices effectively at home.
Tech-Free Spaces
We provide designated tech-free spaces around campus for everyone in our community, helping students and staff connect face-to-face and take important breaks from screens. While devices for senior students aren’t banned during breaks, study zones in the library support students who wish to work independently during free time.
Phones Away for the Day
We match the government’s “away for the day” policy (8.15am until after the last bell) but require phones to be turned off. Years 0-6 require Head of School permission with clear reasoning to bring a phone to school and phones are handed to classroom teachers. Years 7-13 keep phones turned off in bags unless permitted for learning.
Smartwatch Guidelines
Our age-appropriate smartwatch policy ensures focused learning: Years 0-6 may not bring smartwatches to the College. Years 7-10 must keep smartwatches in their bags from 8.15am until after the last bell. Years 11-13 may wear smartwatches (non-cellular models only), with usual sanctions applied for distracting behaviour in class.
Device-Level Safety
From 2026, all student iPads in Years 5-8 are managed and supervised with protections including VPN prevention. This ensures students cannot circumvent safety measures. During 2026 we’ll review device types for Year 9-10 learners, continuing to prioritize age-appropriate online safety across all year levels.
Teacher Empowerment
Our teachers have classroom management tools to guide students to stay on task during lessons. From Term 1 2026, Heads of Year will review internet usage. Our device usage reflects a balanced approach: varied media, handwritten notes, digital synthesis, and intentional activities that support learning.
Student Support
Our students can confidently contact trusted adults when they need help. Alongside our new pastoral structure, we provide additional ways for students to reach out online—anonymously or openly—ensuring they feel safe and supported while maintaining privacy and confidentiality of disclosures.
Medical Exemptions
Students with medical requirements for smartwatches or phones must apply through our nurses to validate the need. This ensures the College is aware of and can appropriately support the condition while maintaining our overall framework for responsible device use across the community.
CuthSmart Option
For our Senior School students, we understand some families want their children to have phones for safety and communication before and after school. CuthSmart managed phones provide essential communication functions with appropriate restrictions and monitoring aligned with our framework. This optional service offers peace of mind while supporting our whole-school approach to device use.
“This framework reflects our commitment to purposeful technology use that enhances learning while protecting wellbeing. Managing devices can be challenging for families and we’re here to support you. The tools we’re implementing work in partnership with you, not to replace your role as parents in guiding your daughter’s digital life.”
Years 5-13
Apple devices are used in a meaningful and intentional way to enhance the classroom experience and deepen the learning of our students. Students in Years 5 to 9 must use an iPad, with keyboard and Apple Pencil.
Students joining the College in 2026 in Years 10 to 13 must have an Apple MacBook for their learning. Current parents and parents of accepted students can access details at https://mycollege.stcuthberts.school.nz/homepage/342
Years 7-13 Stationery
Our Years 7-13 families purchase stationary from OfficeMax. 2026 stationary requirements are now available on the OfficeMax Website.