NEERIM DISTRICT SECONDARY COLLEGE

ABN: 15 892 809 320

P.O. Box 18, Neerim South 3831
Phone: (03) 5628 1455 Email: [email protected]

Dear Parents/Guardians

Bring your own device (BYOD) programs are common practice in Victorian Secondary Schools and we
believe a personal computer allows students to access information, enhance and extend their learning
and demonstrate understanding in creative and innovative ways. There are significant educational
benefits for students to be able to combine digital technology learning with the more ‘traditional’
learning methods.

In 2024, ALL students at Neerim District Secondary College will be required to have their own laptop to
support their learning.

Option 1 (Preferred)

Parents/Carers purchase a Neerim District Secondary College approved laptop via our third-party
provider, Learning with Technologies, using the Neerim District Secondary College Order Portal (see
link below).

Benefits of Option 1 include:

• Students gain access to the full resources of our college network including the colleges ICT
Department personnel to provide efficient support (technical, warranty and insurance if applicable)
• Laptops are purchased online at a competitive price pre-negotiated with the provider.
• Payment plans are available through Learning with Technologies. Parents/Carers are encouraged
to read the full teams and conditions.
• Each of the laptops purchased under this program has a 3-year onsite warranty
• Laptops will receive a connection to the college network and have the college software image
installed.
• Parents have the option (at an additional cost) to purchase a 3-year insurance policy which
covers accidental damage, accidental loss, and theft (In the event that a repair or replacement is
required, the policy has a $100 excess charge). The payment of the excess and other costs
incurred is the responsibility of the device owner.

We currently have four devices on our portal, three Windows devices and a Chromebook:
- Lenovo 100w 11” (low-cost, entry-level device, suitable for years 7-9)
- Lenovo 500w 12.2” (midrange cost, touch screen, with tablet mode)
- Lenovo L13 Yoga 13.3” (very capable, suitable for years 10 - 12)
- Lenovo 14e Chromebook 14” (large screen, simple device, suitable for all year levels)

The portal is open and ready to receive orders right now! - https://ndsc.orderportal.com.au

If you require assistance to determine the most suitable device for your child, please do not hesitate to
contact the school and speak with our IT Team.
Option 2

Parents/Carers can purchase a device from any supplier provided it meets the college-specified
minimum standard below;

Laptop Specification (minimum standard)

- minimum Intel N4000 CPU
- minimum 4GB RAM.
- minimum 128GB storage
- 11-inch to 15.6” Screen
- Windows 10 (non-s mode) or Windows 11
- Battery life sufficient for all day use

Apple Mac : Specification (minimum standard)

- 11 Inch Screen
- MacOS 10.15 (Catalina)
- Battery life sufficient for all day use

Chromebook specifications (minimum standard)

- 11 Inch Screen
- Battery life sufficient for all day use

Benefits of Option 2 include:

• These devices can be purchased from any supplier parents choose to access.
• Students with devices that meet the specifications will have access to the college network.
• Neerim District Secondary College ICT Department will, assist with connection issues to the
network and internet and department systems; however, support will be limited to these
systems as per DET guidelines and policy.
• Parents will be responsible for resolving any warranty, non-school related software, damage, and
loss or theft issues. ICT staff are unable to assist with these problems.
• Please note - Students with externally purchased devices will NOT have the college software
image installed.
• The purchase of insurance is entirely at the discretion of parents (accidental damage,
accidental loss, or theft). Parents are responsible for the entire cost of any repair or
replacement of a device purchased without insurance.
• Neerim District Secondary College will not take responsibility for lost or damaged devices.
 In 2024 the college will continue to offer a financial hardship program to support families who meet
specific criteria with the purchase of laptops; however, we believe the low price of an acceptable
device should reduce the demand in this area.

To make a confidential inquiry about a laptop hardship application, please make an appointment with
the Business Manager.

Please note:

• Available BYOD models may change model and price without notice during the school year.
• Finance options available on the BYOD portal are private agreements between parents and
the providers. Please ensure you understand all aspects of the agreement before
committing.
• Purchasing of Insurance is highly recommended, any repairs outside of insurance are the
responsibility of the device owner. Some damage repairs can incur costs higher than the
purchase price of the devices.

Having a suitable device for study will be part of our Positive Orderly Learning Environment (POLE)
expectations from Term 1, 2024. If any families have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate
to contact me.

Kind Regards

Michael Shone
Principal
 Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet and Digital Technologies

Student Owned Device Policy 2024

General

• The student is required to purchase a laptop at the beginning of Year 7 and if necessary are required to
upgrade their device at the beginning of Year 10.
• Although students do have access rights to install their own software onto the machines, the devices are
a tool to be used for educational purposes. Software, music and age-appropriate movies will be allowed
for academic and recreational reasons, provided copyright obligations are met. Downloading music,
games and videos from the Internet during college hours is prohibited except when directed by a teacher.
• If a student is found with inappropriate/illegal software on their machine this will be removed
immediately, they may no longer have administrator rights to their machine or may have it confiscated.

Repair Guidelines

• Parents/guardians shall be solely responsible for the cost of all-non-warranty repairs (breakage, loss or
theft) and will be liable for the cost of replacing the device.
• Warranty repairs incur no cost. Parents/Guardians are welcome to purchase private insurance or
extended warranty from third party providers.
• User data integrity, storage and backup are the direct responsibility of the user. The College shall accept
no liability for the loss of data during repair and/or modification of either software or hardware. Students
are expected to back up their own data at all times on an external drive.
• Hardware or software failure should not prevent the student from submitting work on time. “My
computer needs to be repaired” is not an acceptable reason for late work.
• The college is not responsible for the configuration of home networks or home Internet accounts on
student devices.
• The college can supply a "loan" device to the user of the machine if under repair.

Guidelines for use

• Students are not permitted to access the Internet from school via any method other than by connecting
their device to the school wireless network.
• Use of devices during the college day is at the discretion of teachers and staff. Students must use these
devices as directed by their teacher.
• The primary purpose of the use of personal devices at college is educational.
• The use of a personal device is not to be a distraction in any way to teachers or students. The use of
personal devices must not disrupt class in any way.
• The use of personal devices is covered by the Neerim District Secondary College Acceptable Use Policy,
found on the college website.
• Students must bring their device to the college fully charged and are not permitted to charge their device
at college. Any chargers lost or damaged need to be replaced.
• Students agree not to attempt to circumvent the college’s network security and/or filtering policies. This
includes setting up proxies and downloading programs to bypass security.
• Students shall not distribute images of students or staff without their express permission.
• Students are to keep their logon details private and not allow others to use either their details or device
 Student Owned Device Agreement

Student Name…………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………..

Parent/Guardian Agreement:

I have read the Neerim District Secondary College Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet and Digital
Technologies. I agree to the terms and conditions.

Parent’s Guardian’s Signature: …………………………………….……………………… Date: …………………………

Parent’s Guardian’s Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(Please Print)

Student Agreement:

I have read the Neerim District Secondary College Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet and Digital Technologies.
I agree to abide by the conditions therein throughout my time at Neerim District Secondary College.

Student Signature: …………………………………….……………………….………………... Date: ……………………..………

Student Name: …………………………………………………………………..…..………..….. Year Level: …..………….…….

(Please Print)

Please sign and return to the Administration Office