School keeps in touch with app

St Joseph's School in Balclutha has launched a smartphone app to stay in touch with parents.

Teacher Danique Richards said she was contacted by the app's developer, Snapp Mobile, at the end of last year to see if the school might be interested.

She was hooked almost instantly and took the idea to the board of trustees, which approved it.

The app listed term dates, calendar items, notices and contacts for school staff. Parents could also use the app to notify the school of absences.

Ms Richards said St Joseph's School was the only school in Balclutha to have its own app.

"I think it's cool that we're the first ones around here [to have an app]. From what you get out of it, it's definitely worth it.''

It was important to keep up with digital technology and trends, she said.

Principal Annette O'Mahony said she thought the idea of an app was brilliant.

It meant the school could send out notifications and news to parents instantly.

"Communication is key. I know other schools that have it and they swear by it.''

It could even supersede the school website for keeping parents up to date.

"We have to get up with the play and that's what we've done for the school.''

Mrs O'Mahony expected other schools in the area to follow suit once they saw how successful the app was for St Joseph's.

The school has 50 pupils from year 1 through to year 8.

The mobile app, released last week, is available for free download from the Apple app store and the Google Play store for Android.

Mrs O'Mahony said the school had to pay for the app. She declined to say how much, but said it was within budget.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz

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