BYO DEVICE

Students from Year 3 to Year 12 are required to bring their own device to school. Reception to Year 2 students have access to school-owned devices.

As part of our Digital Learning Program, students have access to high speed internet, wireless network, interactive SMART Boards, data projectors and industry specific software including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in Technology and Adobe Creative Suite in Design.

The College continues to invest in the capacity and resilience of our ICT infrastructure to ensure that student owned devices can be safely and securely supported.

The College maintains dedicated IT suites with desktop computers for more demanding tasks such as specialist IT lessons.

The program supports the College’s aim of significantly reducing the requirement for traditional textbooks and the associated costs for parents where possible.

All students and parents are expected to sign an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) User Agreement when they start at the College. This agreement outlines the responsibilities of the College, students and parents, to ensure safe and respectful use and engagement with ICT at Woodcroft.

Summary of Required Devices

Specifications for iPads

The College recommends the most current 10.2 inch iPad with Wi-Fi only and 256GB of storage. This will ensure that students have access to the latest version of software and applications. The discontinued 128GB 10.2 inch iPad with Wi-Fi also meets the College requirements.

The iPad is portable, lightweight, durable and reliable. If well cared for and using a protective cover, the iPad should last the student for the duration of their Junior School years. We encourage the use of styluses and keyboards when using iPads to maintain fine motor skills and ICT skills. Students will also need a pair of headphones that fit their iPad (headphones will be kept at school). We recommend you consider insurance (this may be possible through your Home & Contents policy).

Specifications for Laptops

Note:

• We strongly recommend that you do not purchase a laptop with Windows S mode enabled as it will inhibit your child from accessing important parts of the school curriculum (printers, Adobe products, Google Chrome, Exam browsers, etc).
• Parents are advised that laptops containing the Realtek RTL8822CE WiFi chip should be avoided as these have been found to be unreliable at the College.
• If your child is considering taking Digital Technologies at Year 10 or above, it is recommended that you purchase a Windows device as the software used in this subject does not run on a MacBook.

Laptops matching these specifications should be available from most well-known retailers. We recommend placing a priority on a device with good battery life. We have found cheaper brands deteriorate significantly in this area over time, in which case battery power banks would become a consideration.

If purchasing an Apple device, consider the “Apple Education Pricing” area of their website when comparing with major retailers.

Students are responsible for the security and safety of their laptop. We recommend you consider insurance (this may be possible through your Home & Contents policy). A protective bag is also highly recommended.