Douglas Park is proud to be recognised as an Apple Distinguished School for 2023 – 2026 for inspiring, imagining, and impacting teaching and learning schoolwide through continuous innovation.
Apple describes successful schools as:
Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology — and we believe they are some of the most innovative schools in the world.
Our Vision is strong. Being driven by the ‘Better Future’ words, technology is a key part of what children need going forward. What our vision does is give us scope to develop children who can use technology to be Creative, who can use technology to Explore their learning and their world and children who can use technology to Nurture themselves and others.
Technology is embedded in our learning, not as a singular focus. Our learners are equipped to tackle learning...both analogue and digital. The right tool, for the right job.
We believe that technology can inspire students to lead, learn, and thrive in our dynamic world.
Our school leadership fully resources learning, ensuring every member of staff, and our students, has the best tool to do the best job.
We believe technology can empower learners to discover new possibilities and solutions.
Our four pou - Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Learner Agency - are powerful tools that enable our learners to be successful.
We believe technology can help learners commit to leaving their world better than they found it.
Our staff engage in high quality professional learning, meaning we are at the cutting edge of teaching practice.
Our school is a gallery where creativity is embedded across the curriculum. Apple technology provides quality creative tools for learners to explore what creativity is and apply their creative talents to all aspects of school life.
In a recent Creativity Environment study Douglas Park School was found to be significantly better than other schools in the areas of playfulness, innovation, divergent thinking and curiosity. (Auckland University)
We deliver a balanced programme of traditional learning and future focused skills, including 21st century dispositions, coding and augmented reality. Apple devices are our essential tool to bring this learning to life. Powerful tools to challenge, ignite curiosity and refine skills.
A survey of Douglas Park showed the frequency of team work and critical thinking was evident often, and in many situations daily, due to the use of Apple technologies. (Learning Technologies Survey © 2026 Apple Inc.)
Douglas Park is focused on providing students with the ability to act on what they have learnt, through purposeful real world learning. The Apple ecosystem enables students to solve real world problems and produce high quality outcomes that can have a positive impact on their community. The best learners using the best technology for the best outcome.
I loved our Mokomoko Inquiry this term. We had to research, design, and create a habitat using our Keynote and iMovie skills. - Grace, Douglas Park School, Year 5
Douglas Park learners thrive on engaging learning opportunities enhanced by embedded technology to enable quality learning processes and outcomes. Apple technologies support all types of learning ensuring all students can access the necessary outcomes, express their voice, and find learning creative and engaging. Technology is not the outcome but the tool to achieve it.
What an epic way to integrate digital tech with practical hands-on learning! Tarsh, Douglas Park School Parent
Douglas Park Staff are committed to being at the forefront of innovation to support best practice. Extensive time and resourcing is put into the capability building of our staff to ensure they have the skills to best utilise Apple tools. Innovation is supported by -
All teaching staff being certified Apple Teachers
5 Apple Learning Coaches
1 Apple Distinguished Educator
Our participation in Apple research studies and best practice surveys
We value being a part of the ADS community and actively look for opportunities to share and connect. Recently this has involved -
Digital Leaders Professional Learning Group
ADS school visits
Welcoming visitors to our school
Attending Apple events, such as Apple Community events and International Apple Distinguished School Summits
Sharing on the Apple Community Forum