Educate to Innovate:
Creating a Future of Possibilities
Our journey to becoming an Apple Distinguished School began in 2019 when Ōpunakē Primary was recognised as an exemplar of educational innovation. Through the unwavering commitment of our kaiako (teachers) and our community's shared vision, we transformed our classrooms into spaces that push the limits of technology to expand the minds of our children.
In 2023, we made it!
Today, we are proud to be globally recognized by one of the world's leading technology brands as a true innovator in education, continually inspiring our students to navigate their future.
Our Impact by the Numbers
Behind every number is a dedicated teacher, a supportive community, and a strategic commitment to transforming education through technology.
Tech Snapshot
153
ipads devices for 1:1 with students
22
ipads and Macbooks devices for staff
10
Airplay enabled tv for staff & students to share their learning
Apple Classroom
for all staff to monitor & share students' learning
11
Apple Teachers
Trained with foundational skills on how to use ipad and Mac to maximise learning
2
Apple Learning Coaches
On-site upskilling staff
One Device per Learner
Technology in Every Hand
Every student and teacher is equipped with an iPad. To further unlock creativity, all teaching staff and our Year 5-8 students are provided with Apple Pencils for digital design, note-taking, and interactive learning.
The Connected Classroom
100% Seamless Intergrations
Every classroom is fully equipped with a TV, Mac Mini, and Apple AirPlay capabilities, ensuring students and teachers can seamlessly share, collaborate, and present their work to the room instantly.
Teacher Expertise
100% Apple Certified
Our educators are dedicated to continuous growth. 100% of our teaching staff have earned their Apple Teacher badges. Furthermore, we have two certified Apple Learning Coaches on staff, with a third currently in training.
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Imagine: We are Creators
We believe that true digital fluency means moving our ākonga (learners) from passive consumers of media to active creators of new knowledge. Through the "Imagine" pillar of our journey, our classrooms are transformed into dynamic environments where student agency, collaboration, and creativity thrive. Equipped with Apple tools, our tamariki take the helm of their own educational waka—exploring complex problems, sharing local stories, and bringing their imagination to life.
Here are some stories that highlight how our young creators are making a meaningful impact every day.
Open Days
Our annual Open Day showcases how we integrate Apple technology throughout our kura.
For 2025's Rā Mākete (Market Day), ākonga used iPads and Macs to research, design, and prototype professional products to buy and sell. Watch below to see how our students transformed their creative concepts into physical realities.
STEAM Club
Our Year 5–8 STEAM Club provides weekly technological exploration. Using iPads as design hubs, ākonga investigate diverse applications from sports and music to advanced engineering. Leveraging intuitive Apple workflows, tamariki output designs directly to 3D printers and laser cutters, transforming creative concepts into
real-world solutions.
Vision & Beyond
Transforming Education Through Technology: Creating a dynamic space where cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrates with our local W.A.K.A. values; Whānaungatanga, Ako, Kaitiakitanga, and Aroha
What's Next?
Advancing student agency to ensure our tamariki aren't just consumers of digital media, but deep creators, innovators, and future-ready navigators of their own educational waka.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ōpunakē Primary School become an Apple Distinguished School? Our journey began in 2019 when our school was identified as a leading exemplar of how technology can be purposefully used in the classroom to enhance learning. To achieve and maintain this global recognition, we committed to a strategic, multi-year plan focused on digital equity and professional growth. This included deploying a 1:1 iPad environment across the entire school, upgrading our classroom infrastructure with Mac Minis and Apple AirPlay, and embedding digital fluency directly into our local, place-based curriculum. Guided by our school leadership and backed 100% by our Board of Trustees, we transformed our environment into a hub of continuous innovation.
How do our students and wider community benefit from being an ADS? Being an Apple Distinguished School ensures that our tamariki are not just passive consumers of digital media, but active creators, innovators, and problem solvers. Continuous access to 1:1 Apple devices and tools like the Apple Pencil allows our ākonga (learners) to personalise their education, take ownership of their learning waka, and express their ideas in unique, multi-modal ways (such as green-screen filmmaking, coding, and digital design). Furthermore, it connects Ōpunakē Primary to an elite global network of forward-thinking schools, ensuring our teaching practices remain at the absolute forefront of modern education and setting our students up for long-term success.
How do we build and sustain teaching capacity with Apple technology? Sustainability is driven by our commitment to Ako (learning and teaching together). We have fostered a school culture that supports our kaiako (teachers) as they design and implement innovative learning experiences. To ensure every teacher feels confident and capable, 100% of our teaching staff have earned their official Apple Teacher badges. Additionally, we cultivate internal leadership by training specialised Apple Learning Coaches—we currently have two certified coaches on staff with a third actively in training—who provide ongoing, peer-to-peer mentoring and collaborative professional development.
How does technology integrate with our school values (W.A.K.A.)? Technology at Ōpunakē Primary is never used in isolation; it is deeply woven into our core values: Whānaungatanga (Relationship/Connection): Apple AirPlay and shared digital spaces break down classroom walls, allowing students to cooperate, present, and build community seamlessly. Ako (Teaching/Learning): Devices provide tailored accessibility features, ensuring every student has equitable tools to reach their full potential. Kaitiakitanga (Stewardship): Students use iPads to research, document, and protect our local environment and history. Aroha (Compassion/Inclusion): Multi-modal tools give a powerful voice to all learners, celebrating diverse styles of expression and making learning challenging, inclusive, and fun.
Contact Column: Ōpunakē Primary School | Gisborne Terrace, Ōpunakē | office@opunakeprimary.school.nz | (06) 761 8367