FAQ

BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. A student is allowed to bring a device that suits the supported specifications to support their learning needs and to be involved in classroom learning activities.

Previously, students had access to computers under the DEC's 'Digital Education Revolution' Policy which allocated a small form laptop to each student from year 9. Funding for this model has not been supported for several years. Kingscliff High School recognises the importance of connected learning and the positive affect it has on engagement and achieving learning outcomes. To prepare students for an ever-changing world beyond school, teachers at Kingscliff High School support the philosophy that technology plays a significant role in learning. The number of students bringing their own device to school has been growing.

Over the past few years KHS held meetings with and collected data from other schools in NSW currently implementing a BYOD program. KHS conducted a device trial during 2021 using iPads and Chromebooks with two Year 7 classes. The digital device team surveyed participating staff, student and parents before and after the trial for feedback and data to make an informed decision for the future of using digital devices at KHS. From this process iPads were deemed the more inclusive and valuable device. The digital device team found that students and teachers found the experience useful, enjoyable, and engaging. Teachers were also able to gain a better understanding of how well students understood the learning taking place in each lesson.

Teachers have indicated a preference that an iPad is the most versatile and useful device for students. The iPad is easy to connect, fast, light and the battery lasts long enough to support a student all day without recharging. The largest range of applications are available on the iPad to support learning. It was decided to implement this BYO iPad device policy with Year 7 and 8 in 2022 and to progressively expand a broader BYOD program to other years over the following years.

Smartphones or iPod touch devices do not provide an acceptable screen size for effective learning support. These devices are also generally equipped with sim cards. These devices are unacceptable devices under the BYOD program.

A range of protective covers are available online or in stores. The protective case KHS digital device team advise is a Logitech one.  It is recommended that students protect all devices while in use or stored in their school bags.

Warranty

A set warranty is given with the device. Extended warranty is purchased when you buy the device. Warranty covers anything that is a manufacturer fault – eg unit not turning on, hard drive ceases to work, screen has no display. It doesn't cover against physical damage to the device such as drops, broken screens and the like.

Accidental Damage Insurance Repairs?

You usually can purchase insurance cover with your device when you buy it. Please ensure you ask the store you purchase your device about this. Applecare insurance is offered with purchases through JB Hi-fi Education, the offer is emailed to you after purchase.

What if the device is lost or stolen?

Most manufacturers will not cover theft, loss or deliberate damage under their warranty. It is recommended that parents discuss options with their home & contents insurance provider for details and cover. The school will not be responsible for loss, damage or theft.

Out of Warranty repairs?

If the device is out of warranty or does not have accidental damage insurance or is covered under home and contents insurance, the store you purchased your device should be able to supply a quote for the repair of the device. The KHS digital device team can also be contacted for advice regarding out of warranty repairs.

Under the student agreement, students are responsible to bring their device fully charged for use every day. Secure charging facilities are provided at school in the event they need to charge their device.

Secure lockers are provided at the school. Students are advised to place a lock code or security measure on the device to disallow access. If the device is capable, a "find my iPhone" style application should be installed so that the device can be tracked in the event of it being stolen or missing.

Internet is provided by the school's 5Ghz Secured wireless network. DEVICES WITH SIM CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. All sim cards should be removed. Any student who connects or ‘tethers' their device to their mobile  phone in order to gain access to the internet will be breaching the student user agreement. Consequences for the breach of the agreement are listed on the user agreement.

The school's internet is filtered and monitored and blocks unacceptable or banned internet sites including some social media sites such as Facebook. This filtering is only applied when the student is at school.

Students will need to sign in to detnsw.net every 8 hours to access the internet at school.

Yes. This device will be required at school every day. Teachers will be preparing activities which may require some use of this device every lesson.

This device is owned by you or the student. You may put your own apps on this device. However, a student must remember that their teachers will be given full access to the device for learning support purposes under the user agreement. If a student would not want a teacher to see something, then it should not be on the device. The space on the device should be reserved for applications to support learning. Students may be asked to delete all non- school based applications, photographs or videos in order to provide space for learning materials.

Not in junior years 7, 8,  9 and 10 to simplify the use of BYOD within the school and to provide support it has been determined that the only suitable device for years 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be an iPad only. If you have an older iPad that meets the device specifications and has the required physical keyboard that can be brought to Kingscliff High School.

For senior years 11 to 12 a laptop can be brought to Kingscliff High School if the laptop meets the device specifications set out on the website.

Yes. The extent of technical support will however, be limited to support connecting to the schools network and the internet as well as minor standard application support. There will be no support provided for repairs of any kind.

Students will be expected to use cloud storage services available to them and save all work where clearly instructed by the teacher. Backup facilities are only carried out on files the student has uploaded to the e-learning system or the server. No backup of personal files will be provided. Printing services are provided by the school from Apple devices only. Any other work requiring printing will be done through school-based desktop computers or at home.

The required applications are all supplied or free. The preferred applications will be listed on the school's website. There are many applications and apps that are available for free. All Department of Education students have access to free software, including Microsoft Office 365,  Google G-Suite. Additionally Adobe Creative Cloud can be accessed upon request. Students just sign in with your @education.nsw.gov.au account to each service and it will be registered to you.

Yes. Teachers may set homework where the device will need to be used to complete it. It is advised that parents employ normal monitoring methods when using the device. Ask your child to work in a common area of the house and ask to see what they are working on.