Dear Parents and Carers,
As you know, Pallara State School has long had a strong and successful BYOD program from Year 1 through to Year 6. We are proud of the way this program has supported learning, and it will continue to be an important part of our teaching from Year 2 onwards.
From 2026, however, with Year 1 students moving to the new Junior Campus alongside Prep, we will be making a change: Year 1 students will no longer be part of the BYOD program.
This decision has been made with great care and with your children's best interests at heart. Early years research consistently shows that young learners thrive when engaged in hands-on, play-based and collaborative learning experiences. Building strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and social–emotional skills is best supported through activities that do not rely heavily on individual devices.
We have also listened to feedback from families through our P&C and parent representatives. Many parents have shared concerns that BYOD in Year 1 is not always suitable, and this change will help reduce stress for both students and families.
I want to emphasise that this is not a step backwards. The Junior Campus will continue with the same high expectations and strong teaching pedagogy as our main site. Our teachers are excited about the opportunity to teach Year 1 without BYOD devices, knowing this will allow them to focus on purposeful, engaging, hands-on learning. Where appropriate, school-based laptops will still be used to support learning.
For families who may already have purchased a device, please be reassured that it will be required from Year 2 onwards. We remain committed to ensuring that all students continue to develop strong digital skills at the right stage of their schooling journey. This change reflects what research tells us, what our community values, and what our teachers know will create the best possible learning environment for our youngest students.
Thank you for your continued support. We are looking forward to welcoming our Year 1 students into their new Junior Campus space in 2026 and watching them thrive.
Warm regards,
Yours sincerely
Year 1 BYOD FAQ
Parent BYOD and new campus Powerpoint (PDF, 2.13MB)
Watch the video of our Deputy Principal, Mrs Sarah Walton delivering an update on the new Junior Campus and the updates about BYO for our Year 1's next year.