12 years as an Apple Distinguished School, so what have we learnt?

Being an Apple Distinguished School is not all about ‘technology’ for the sake of having shiny new things. It’s the access to modern tools and resources that allow both teachers and students to teach better, learn better, and to keep up with the ever-changing careers of tomorrow. The right technology becomes an ‘all access' pass to a worldwide community with an ever-growing database of knowledge and skills that allows our students to get beyond the grind of classroom repetitive tasks and to really think about the ‘how’ of learning.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, educational leadership, and teaching excellence. Some would argue that they are the most innovative, forward-thinking schools in the world.  While Apple technology connects students to the world around them, it also acts as a toolbox that fuels creativity, deepens collaboration, promotes well-being and makes learning personal.

Mount Sinai College is pleased to announce that it has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for a 4th designation (2021 – 2024) for its unique implementation of Apple technology.

During the three-year designation (2021- 2024), schools like Mount Sinai College will collaborate with other Apple Distinguished Schools around the world and will share stories and successes with other progressive educators to uncover the most exciting practices in education. They also host school visits in collaboration with Apple Education teams, where school leaders discuss the vision for their programs, and educators showcase how they use Apple products and digital content to create powerful teaching and learning experiences.

Just the other week, Principal Phil Roberts was invited by Apple Education to speak at their Wellbeing Leadership series, exploring the ways in which we can use technology to support a culture of health and wellbeing. Principal Roberts shared Mount Sinai’s approach to learning, how we use technology to enhance creativity within the classroom and why wellbeing is at the forefront of everything that we do. As he said, “Wellbeing seeps through the pores of Mount Sinai College".

Apple Distinguished School educators have a clear vision and they articulate how their technology-rich environment supports their goals for learning. School leaders set the conditions for and promote continuous innovation to support their school’s vision. They understand that this is an ongoing process that requires thoughtful planning, practice, and iteration along the way. Because they support the innovative use of technology and agile classroom learning, students have opportunities to enrich their learning and teaching experiences in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

“Schools go on multiple journeys, but I can say without a doubt that the most enjoyable and most productive journey has been the one we have shared with Apple,” says Principal Roberts.