St Pius X Unanderra
A Catholic Parish Primary School
The presence and use of Information, Communication and Learning Technologies (ICLT) are an integrated feature of the modern classroom at St Pius X. iPads are used by students to access the internet and appropriate applications. All learning spaces have a large flat screen TV installed, which allow easy integration across all Key learning Areas as well as the interaction between mobile devices. All classrooms have access to a printer that can be used from any device through Air Printing. The school is supported by high speed wireless infrastructure.
St Pius X is a well respected and highly regarded school in the local community as it has a rich history of over 50 years of Catholic Education. St Pius X prides itself on honouring and respecting the past, celebrating the present and embracing the future with confidence and resilience. This commitment to the future in providing an inclusive and holistic education has embraced the challenge of using technology by enhancing and extending learning.
At St Pius X, we give our students the opportunities to reach their full potential by using a range of learning tools and pedagogies including the explicit teaching of foundational skills, immersion in rich literature, communicating ideas in a variety of modes, real life problem solving, making connections, demonstrating their learning creatively and accessing a range of modern technologies.
In 2013, St Pius X began leading the way in the Illawarra by implementing 1:1 iPad usage in Year 5. Today’s generation of students view technology as a part of their everyday environment. Students' ability to find, evaluate and create information is enhanced through connecting with the world beyond the classroom. Through technology, mobile learning is possible. To appropriately meet their needs, technology should be pervasive – always available.
St Pius X's 1:1 iPad program has now grown to students in Year 4, 5 and 6, who supply their own iPad for learning tasks; while students in Kindergarten to Year 3 have access to school-supplied iPads in their classroom at a 1:1 ratio.
Read more about our 1:1 iPad program, including setup and parent tips
Download our ICLT Policy Flyer, including students' 1:1 iPad responsibilities
View our Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement, which each student and parent/carer is asked to sign at the commencement of each year.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education is a targeted school review and improvement goal for St Pius X, with all classes receiving dedicated lessons each week around STEAM learning. These include coding, robotics and engineering investigation tasks.
See our St Pius X STEAM Site below, which has been created to document our STEAM learning journey and serve as a learning and teaching resource for teachers and students.
Digital citizenship is a priority at St Pius X, with all students participating in learning experiences that focus on being responsible and ethical users of technology.
Teachers use a range of resources developed by the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and other online safety organisations, to assist in the ongoing education of our students in being safe and responsible digital citizens.
The CEDoW Digital Citizenship Program Site provides a program of resources for our students on digital citizenship.
Oliver is our school’s Library Management System. It is fully web-based, so the whole school community can access library resources including eBooks and Audiobooks. Simple, clear search options like dynamic picture searches help young students find books and other resources that appeal to them. They can also choose from a huge selection of background graphics and avatars to personalise their library experience.
Oliver means students and staff can also manage their loans and reservations — anywhere, anytime.