Holsworthy High School
Sydney, Australia

Holsworthy High School is located in a diverse community of South Western Sydney. It has over 600 students, including a significant number of ESL learners, military families, and students with additional learning needs. The school puts a strong emphasis on equal access to learning opportunities for all students, including access to digital technology.

Initially, Holsworthy High School had three computer labs that served all students, but with evolving curriculum requirements and growing inequity in time and access to technology, the school decided to review its technology provision. They trialed multiple device options, and after consultation, almost all students, staff, and parents selected iPad as the device that best met their educational and operational needs.

Students reported that during the trial, lessons were more engaging and helped them present their learning in creative ways. Teachers appreciated the compatibility of iPad with their favorite apps, and how it worked seamlessly to streamline lessons. So in just three years, Holsworthy introduced a school-owned and managed one-to-one device program, where every student and teacher had their own iPad.

Students use their iPad with keyboard and Apple Pencil across a broad range of learning activities. In design projects, for example, they use mapping tools to virtually examine playgrounds across Sydney and analyze different designs, before developing their own concepts, using powerful apps like Procreate. These activities support students to communicate ideas, solve problems, and demonstrate their learning in different ways.

Students can also access a range of intuitive applications and built-in accessibility features to support different learning needs and preferences. This is especially important in a school with such a diverse student population, as it allows students to express their learning in a variety of formats — including illustrations, video, and music — and engage with subject matter in the way that works best for them. And with Apple Classroom, teachers at Holsworthy can simultaneously view what’s happening on every device in their lesson, so they can give students personalized guidance and support when they need it.

iPad also enables teachers to use a mix of digital tools, including Microsoft OneNote, Google Workspace for Education, and Canva, to support teaching in the classroom. Each classroom is equipped with Apple TV, which helps teachers share work in the moment, facilitate discussions, and give real-time feedback. Professional learning is a huge priority at Holsworthy, and staff members are fully supported by certified Apple Learning Coaches as they build confidence using technology to genuinely support teaching and learning. Teachers are also provided with a Mac for lesson planning and preparation, and many report that the flexibility of switching seamlessly between iPad and Mac supports their productivity.

In the background, devices are remotely managed via Apple School Manager and MDM, ensuring that students automatically receive the latest security updates and apps. Important school announcements and timetable changes are centrally managed and pushed out automatically through the school management system, so students and staff can stay informed.

Today, the one-to-one iPad program has strengthened teaching and learning at Holsworthy High School. By giving every student their own school-owned and managed device, they have been able to increase equitable access to education across its community — and create a more consistent learning experience for all students.