Introduction

This document provides advice to students and parents on bringing a device to use at Cronulla High School for Educational purposes.

Key Principles

The term “device” in this policy refers to a Student owned Laptop or Tablet with the capability to connect to the department’s Wi-Fi network. Mobile phones are not an acceptable device.
Use of devices at school will be restricted to activities permitted by this policy and the CHS Student Agreement signed by Students and their Parents.
Students are responsible for the care and maintenance of their devices including data protection and battery charging. Students are to charge their device and leave chargers at home.
CHS will not accept any liability for the theft, damage or loss of any student’s device. Students who bring their own devices onto school sites do so at their own risk.
Students and their parents/carers must complete and return a signed CHS BYO Device Student Agreement prior to connecting to the department’s network.
Where the school has reasonable grounds to suspect that a device contains data which breaches the BYO Device Agreement, the school may confiscate the device for the purpose of confirming the existence of the material. Depending on the nature of the material involved, further action may be taken including referral to the police. School disciplinary action may also be appropriate.

Cost to Students

Internet access through the Department of Education’s (DoE) network is provided at no cost.
Access to school resources such as shared drives, printers and associated costs will be covered by Computer Access Fee.
Access to Technical Support Officer to assist with connection of devices to wireless and installation of DoE provided software and ongoing support will be covered by BYOD Levy and contribution from School Funds.

Student Responsibilities

Students are solely responsible for the care and maintenance of their BYO Devices. This could include the following:
Managing battery life and regular charging of their device.
Labeling their device for identification purposes.
Purchasing and using device protective casing.
Ensuring the device is safe and secure during travel to and from school and throughout the school day.
Maintaining up-to-date anti-virus software and operating system on their device.
Taking insurance coverage of their own device to protect any accidental damage, theft or loss.
Damage and loss
1. Students bring their devices onto the school site at their own risk. Students should protect their device by use of a protective case and padded sleeve in a backpack.
2. In cases of malicious damage or theft of another student’s device, existing school processes for damage to schools or another student’s property apply.

Technical Support

All students who BYO Device will participate in a mandatory group training session at school to assist with use of BYO Device.
Delegated Teachers and Technical Support Officer (TSO) where otherwise available will seek to provide some technical support for students and their devices on predefined days and times in relation to wireless connectivity and DoE provided software.
It will be the responsibility of the Student to remember the procedures required to connect their type of device to the Wireless and the Internet. The details for connection are available via the Schools Website.

Long-term care and support of BYO Devices

Students are solely responsible for repair and maintenance of their own device. It is not the school’s responsibility.
Warranties: Students should understand the limitations of the manufacturer’s warranty on their BYO Devices, both in duration and in coverage. Under Australian consumer legislation, warranties usually last for one year, during which any manufacturing defects will be repaired or the device will be replaced (as per the specific terms and conditions of the manufacturer).
Extended Warranties: At the time of purchase, students may also purchase an optional extended warranty (past the standard warranty period) from the supplier/manufacturer of their device, during which any manufacturing defects that may occur will also be repaired.

Insurance

Student BYO Devices are not covered by Treasury Managed Fund. When students purchase their BYO Device, they may also purchase an optional insurance policy from the supplier of their device or a relevant insurance company. As mobile devices are subject to a higher risk of accidental damage, prior to signing up for an insurance policy, students should be fully aware of the details and limitations of the policy, including any excess charged for making a claim, and the name of the company that holds the policy. As a guide, a suitable BYO Device insurance policy should cover all types of BYO Devices and provide worldwide, replacement cost coverage against:
Accidental damage
Damage from falls and liquids
Theft
Fire
Vandalism
Natural disasters (such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, tornados, water damage, and power surge due to lightning)

Acceptable use of BYO Devices

Using the DoE network services to seek out, access, store or send any material of an offensive, obscene, pornographic, threatening, abusive or defamatory nature is prohibited. Such use may result in legal and/or disciplinary action.
Students shall not create, transmit, retransmit or participate in the circulation of content on their devices that attempts to undermine, hack or bypass any hardware and software security mechanisms that have been implemented by the DoE, its Information Technology Directorate or the school.
Students must not copy, transmit or retransmit any material that is protected by copyright, without prior permission from the copyright owner.
Students must not take photos or make video or audio recordings of any individual or group without the express written permission of each individual (including parent/carer consent for minors) being recorded and the permission of an appropriate staff member.
Students shall comply with departmental or school policies (Refer to Cronulla High School BYOD Website for Link) concerning the use of BYO Devices at school and while connected to the Department’s network including:
Online Communication Services – Acceptable Usage for School Students.
The principal retains the right to determine what is, and is not, appropriate use of BYO Device at the school within the bounds of NSW privacy and other legislation.
There will be consequences for any breaches of this policy as the student device is intended as a personal learning tool.

DoE Technology Standards

The BYO Device model for CHS is a Laptop also referred to as a Business Style Device.

Prior to purchasing or using an already purchased device, parents and students should be made aware of the following technology standards required for devices used within schools:
The DoE wireless network installed in all NSW Public High Schools only operates on the 802.11n 5GHz standard. Devices with 802.11a/b/g or 802.11n 2.4GHz only will not be able to connect.
The battery life of the device should be capable of lasting 6 hours minimum of constant use without charge.
Device hardware specifications must meet the minimum – 64 bit with at least 8GB RAM is preferred to ensure devices can run software such as the Adobe Creative Suite.
Solid State Drive (SSD) with a minimum of 256GB storage.
Currently supported Operating System – PC Windows 10. Mac OSX 10.14 or above
Other considerations when purchasing a device include:
Extended warranty
Device insurance
Protective casing (scratch/impact/liquid-splash resistant)
Additional or spare battery packs
Ergonomics (is this device comfortable to use for an entire school day)
Backup storage such as portable hard drive or USB flash drive

Third-Party Software

Part of Cronulla High School’s BYOD program is the use of third-party software. This software both enhances and complements the teaching and learning that is occurring in the classroom and at home. The school uses third-party software providers offering web-based online educational resources and cloud-based storage to enhance student learning outcomes.

In most instances for students to be able to use the third-party software they will need, or a staff member will need to register them. For registration to occur a certain amount of personal data about the student needs to be provided. This personal data is limited to the students first name, last name, year group and school email address. This personal data is stored in Australia and is not shared with any other providers.

Below is a list of the third-party software that students have access to through our BYOD program;

eDiary (App4Diary)
Moodle
Education Perfect
Edrolo
Edval
Hot Maths
Literacy Planet

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Student Agreement

Cronulla High School