Bring your own device framework
Implementation: 2020
Last revision: 15 May 2023
1. Rationale
At Quakers Hill High School (QHHS) we believe that mobile connected devices are a central feature of the modern workplace and we must equip our students in all aspects of digital literacy so they can succeed and thrive. Key to this is learning and developing the self-discipline and control required to use personal devices in a positive and productive manner. This BYOD framework will outline the rights and responsibilities of students to bring, use and connect their own devices to the school network for use in their studies.
2. Equipment
2.1. Ownership – The device remains the property of the student. Students are expected to bring their device each school day (except Wednesdays) for use during class and study times.
2.2. Choice of equipment – The device must meet all the requirements of 9. Device Specifications (see below). This includes meeting any physical device characteristics and having required software installed. The specifications are attached to this framework.
Note: A mobile phone or any device with a SIM is not an acceptable device.
2.3. Damage or loss of equipment
2.3.1. QHHS will not take responsibility for any loss, theft or damage to:
• the device or peripherals
• data stored on the device.
2.3.2. Parents and students should consider whether their device requires insurance and whether specific accidental loss and breakage insurance is appropriate for the device.
2.3.3. In circumstances where a device is damaged by abuse or malicious act of another student, the school discipline procedures will apply. Although the school may present a request for a recoup of all or partial costs of repairs, the school will not take responsibility for pursuing any payments on behalf of any parties.
2.3.4. The school will not provide charging facilities for student devices. Students are expected to bring their device with enough charge to last the school day.
3. Standards for equipment care
3.1. Students are responsible for the following:
• Keeping their device safe from damage – both hardware and software.
• Respecting the property of other students.
• Adhering to the Department of Education’s policy Student use of digital devices and online services policy.
• Backing up all data securely. All schoolwork should be backed up to either Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive (both services are provided freely to all students).
4. Acceptable use of equipment and communication systems
4.1. Use of the device during the school day is at the discretion of teachers. Students must use their device as directed by their teacher.
4.2. The primary purpose of the device at school is to support the education of students.
4.3. Students must bring their device to school fully charged. Students will not have provision to charge devices at school.
4.4. The only peripherals allowed for student devices are a mouse, storage device or accessories required by students with specific accessibility needs (pending approval by the Learning Support Team).
4.5. The covers of student devices are not to display any inappropriate content or material.
4.6. While at school, all material on the device is subject to review by school staff without prior notice.
4.7. Students are to connect their device to the school’s wireless network only. Students are not to connect their device to other wired, wireless or cellular networks whilst at school.
4.8. Students are not to create, participate in, or circulate content that attempts to undermine, hack into or bypass the hardware and software security mechanisms that are in place.
4.9. Students must never reveal their passwords to another student for any purpose.
4.10. The Student use of digital devices and online services policy applies to the use of the device and online services when students are:
• at school
• in connection with school-related activities and programs, including outside of school.
5. Misuse of equipment and communication systems
5.1. Standard school discipline procedures apply for any use of a device that is contrary to this BYOD framework or QHHS SMART expectations.
5.2. Students are not permitted to use any device to record audio, video or take pictures of any student or staff member without permission.
5.3. Students are expected to communicate appropriately and respectfully when using school or personally owned devices.
5.4. Students must not use technology to harass, threaten, demean, humiliate, intimidate, embarrass, or annoy classmates or others in the community. Cyberbullying is not acceptable in school, or society, and it will not be tolerated. Any student who engages in cyberbullying or any other online actions that disrupt the safety and/or wellbeing of the school will be subject to disciplinary actions.
5.5. Examples of action the school may take in cases of misuse include:
• the removal of the device for the remainder of the lesson
• the removal of the device by a Head Teacher or Deputy Principal for the remainder of the school day and/or until a parent or carer collects the device
• permission for the student to bring their device to school is temporarily revoked
• detention, formal caution of suspension, suspension or long suspension
• the device being submitted to police by the Principal or their delegate, in the event of extreme or criminal misbehaviour.
6. School procedure of device approval
6.1. Students and parents/carers must complete and sign the BYOD Agreement.
6.2. Students are to return the agreement to the school, with their device for inspection and approval.
7. Equitable access to devices
QHHS recognises that not all students have equal access to technology. The school will endeavour to provide access to appropriate devices, to students as part of the school’s BYOD program. This will include the option of daily access to devices and may include short-term loans and long-term loans.
7.1. Device specifications are designed to ensure a wide range of devices are available to suit individual family budgets, while remaining compatible with the school’s BYOD program.
7.2. QHHS has an agreement with Hewlett Packard and Learning with Technologies (LWT) to provides approved devices. LWT also offers payment plans and insurance options. For more information, visit the BYOD page.
8. Support
8.1. QHHS staff will provide limited technical support for student devices if the issue is directly related to student learning activities. Support will not be provided for any recreational use of the devices.
8.2. The school will not provide any support for warranty related hardware faults of student devices.
8.3. Students are responsible for performing regular backups of all their schoolwork. No support can be offered for deleted or lost files.
8.4. Students are responsible for ensuring that any software or application required is already installed on their device.
Note: The NSW Department of Education provides students with access to Adobe creative Cloud, Google G Suite for Education and Microsoft Office 365 for free.
9. Device specifications
The device must meet the school's minimum device specifications. Details of the minimum and suggested specifications are available on the BYOD page.