At The Cathedral Grammar School, we believe it is important that every child experiences a balanced approach to learning in today’s digital world. We value both the traditional tools of learning, such as pencil, pen, paper, books and rulers, and modern digital technologies that enhance creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.

Research shows that students benefit most when these two approaches work together to suit their individual needs.

Benefits of pen and paper include:

  •   Providing a low-distraction environment for improved task focus
  •   Strengthening motor skills and memory through the physical act of writing
  •   Encouraging creativity, brainstorming and idea development
  •   Building satisfaction through visible, incremental improvement

Benefits of digital technologies include:

  •   Offering alternative ways to engage and motivate students
  •   Providing efficient, dynamic tools for learning
  •   Enhancing collaboration and communication
  •   Enabling new, innovative learning experiences

Years 1 – 4

The school provides classroom devices to support learning. There is no requirement for students to bring their own device at these year levels. If you believe your child would benefit from having their own device before Year 5, please speak with your classroom teacher to discuss this further. Generally, we recommend waiting until Year 5 to purchase a device.

Year 5 and Beyond

From Year 5 onwards, students are expected to have their own device to support their learning.

Cathedral Grammar partners with Cyclone Computers, a New Zealand-owned company offering educational pricing, extended warranties, and optional laptop insurance. While you are not required to purchase through Cyclone, their Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Portal lists the school-recommended devices and specifications.

Click below to access the Cyclone BYOD Portal:
Select “Cathedral Grammar School” to view the recommended devices.
https://www.byod.cyclone.co.nz/collections/cathedral-grammar-school

Recommended Devices

We recommend a PC or Mac laptop. iPads and Chromebooks are not suitable beyond Year 4.

To ensure your child’s device meets learning needs through to Year 8, we recommend purchasing one that meets the Year 5 minimum specifications below:

  •   Processor: Intel i5 CPU or better
  •   Memory: 16 GB RAM (minimum) 
  •   Storage: 256 GB hard drive (minimum)
  •   Operating System: macOS 14 (Sonoma), macOS 13 (Ventura), and macOS 12 (Monterey) / Windows 11 versions 23H2, 22H2, 21H2

Need Help?

If you have any questions about devices or specifications, please contact:
Simon Lean-Massey, Head of E-Learning
lean-masseys@cathedralgrammar.school.nz