1. Menai High School
Year 9 - 2013

2. Laptops and learning
Studies show the benefits of providing laptops to
each student are:
■ increased student motivation, engagement,
interest,
■ improved student organisation and improved self-
directed learning,
■ increased academic achievements and better
work habits,
■ improved communication and information skills.

3. The 2013 device will be the fastest and most high-spec
laptop so far.
It has a 64 bit operating system and a solid state drive which
will provide faster boot and software load times.
TSO support will remain at schools until the end of 2013.
From the beginning of 2014 schools will need to make their
own arrangements for technology support.

4. What’s happening at Menai High …
Laptops have arrived. Issued to Year 9 during English lessons
beginning Monday 18th March.
Laptops are the property of Menai High School and will be
loaned to year 9 students. If a student leaves our school, the
laptop, charger and case must be returned to the school.
At the end of year 12 laptops will be returned to school.
All classrooms have wireless access points

5. The Laptop - Lenovo Thinkpad X131e
• Impressive processing capability - Intel® Celeron™ 887 (1.5GHz)
• Plenty of storage space – 128 Gb hard disk
• 4GB RAM
• Wireless connection and Bluetooth
• Webcam and built-in microphone
• Full size keyboard with integrated spill resistance
• 11.6” high resolution screen
• Improved battery life - up to 8.5 hours
• Windows 7 Pro Academic Licence
• Recessed ports (including HDMI) for better protection
• A rugged body suited to the education environment; no more than 1.75kg
• Neoprene case

7. Software
Full Microsoft Office 2010 software
Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint
Adobe Creative Suite CS6 software
Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements
Various other software for Mathematics, Music, Webcam
video and still photos, Drawing, Google Earth, iTunes
Full Microsoft anti-virus and anti-spyware protection as well
as Blue Coat internet filtering
NOTE – non DER registered software is not able to
be installed on the laptop.

12. Support for students
Students will receive guidance on good laptop care including
ergonomics
Your child will be encouraged to keep their laptop in their school bag
when travelling to and from school – using the case provided. Anti-theft
measures installed on the laptop remove the incentive to steal the
laptop, helping to protect your child.

13. Support for students
The laptop will have Bluecoat virus protection and will also
be protected by Microsoft Forefront security.
Your child is protected when using their laptop at school and at home by
filters that block inappropriate Internet material. A record of every
website that the student visits is kept and can be investigated if
necessary.
The Bluecoat Internet filter system blocks all social networking and chat
sites.
We cannot control home computer use, which is under parental control.

14. Support for students
Students will receive guidance on digital safety and digital
citizenship
cyber bullying
plagiarism
copyright
privacy
confidentiality
password security

15. The laptop user charter and school policies
The charter covers many facets of the laptop initiative
including:
Care of laptop including a commitment to take the laptop home and
charge the battery
Acceptable computer and Internet use including privacy issues,
cybersafety and classroom protocols. Adhering to Online
Communication Services: Acceptable Usage for School Students
policy. You can access this policy at http://bit.ly/Y75Hc3
Existing school policies that are relevant – anti bullying,
homework, cheating, bringing required equipment to school

16. Your questions answered
What if we already have a computer at home?
Students will be using their laptops in class each day and are
expected to continue their work at home. They should
continue working on their laptops at home using the same
files and software they're using at school. Students are
expected to bring their laptops to school each day with a
fully charged battery the same as they would bring books for
class.

17. Your questions answered
Are the laptops covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.
Yes. The warranty covers manufacturer’s defects and normal
use of the laptop for 2 years. It does not cover negligence,
abuse or malicious damage.

18. Your questions answered
Are the laptops covered by insurance?
Yes. The NSW Treasury Managed Fund Contract of Coverage
states, "The Fund covers all losses, provided the loss is
fortuitous, real and quantitative". Damage or loss occurred
from carelessness, inattention or an apparent disregard is
deemed to be due to negligence. Damage or loss caused or
partly caused by negligence is not covered by Treasury
Managed Fund. Parents who currently hold a personal home
contents insurance policy may choose to notify their insurer
about the issue of the DER laptop.

19. Your questions answered
Who pays if the incident is not covered by insurance due to
some form of negligence?
Should any equipment on loan be lost or damaged due to
negligence or abuse or malicious act or failure to ensure safe
custody of the laptop, the student will be requested to pay
replacement or repair costs.

20. Your questions answered
Can you give me an example of what is meant by
‘negligence’?
If a student trips over the laptop electrical cord and the
laptop is pulled onto the ground and smashes the screen,
the claim will not be paid as though it seems on the surface
to be an accident, there was not due care taken to guard
against such an incident happening. In such a case the school
would request reimbursement from the student.

21. Your questions answered
What if a family refuses to pay?
For families in financial hardship the Principal has discretion
to make arrangements for the cost to be paid off over a
period of time or other flexible solutions. However if a family
refuses to pay the Principal may arrange for a loan laptop for
the student for day use only i.e. the student cannot take it
home. The TSO will ensure it is charged overnight so the
student will not be disadvantaged in the classroom.

22. Your questions answered
What happens if my child's laptop breaks?
Let the school TSO know as soon as possible. Laptops and
batteries are covered by a manufacturer's warranty for two
years. The warranty covers manufacturer's defects and
normal use of the laptop. It does not cover negligence,
abuse, malicious or accidental damage.

23. Your questions answered
What happens if the laptop is accidentally lost or
damaged?
If the laptop is accidentally lost or damaged, you should tell
the school TSO as soon as possible. You will need to
complete and sign a Laptop Incident Report and a Statutory
Declaration outlining the facts. The declaration will need to
be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or a solicitor. Your
child will then be issued with a replacement laptop at the
discretion of the Principal.

24. Your questions answered
What happens if the laptop is stolen or vandalized?
If the laptop is stolen or vandalised, you should tell the
police and the school as soon as possible. If out of school
hours, you should notify the school the next school day.
The police will give you an official report number . You'll
need this number before a replacement laptop can be
provided. You will need to complete and sign a Laptop
Incident Report.

25. Your questions answered
If the laptop is lost, damaged or stolen, what will happen
to my child's schoolwork?
It is your child's responsibility to regularly save a copy of
their schoolwork, also known as 'backing up' their work.
Students will be shown how to save their work to their
online storage area ‘My Locker’.
Another copy should be made externally, e.g. to a USB drive,
or by emailing work to themselves.

26. Your questions answered
What happens if other accessories such as the battery and
power cords break or are lost?
If the power cords and battery are still under warranty -
which is limited with normal use conditions applying as well
as a time limit - then they will be replaced. But if the
breakage is outside of the warranty period or the items are
lost/stolen or there is evidence of insufficient care of the
equipment, then the student will need to purchase
replacements.

27. Your questions answered
What's to stop an unscrupulous student selling their laptop
and then claiming it has been stolen?
All laptops have extensive hardware and software security
measures. These security measures will remotely disable
stolen laptops and will help to track and prosecute thieves.
As soon as any laptop is stolen or lost, the school will lock it
down. When the laptop is connected to the internet, even
with a new operating system, it will report its location.

28. Your questions answered
Under what circumstances will parents need to pay for
repairs to or replacement of the laptop?
The laptop warranty covers manufacturer defects under
normal use of the laptop. It does not cover negligence,
abuse, accidental or malicious damage. E.g. Damage caused
by spilling coffee on the laptop is not covered. Accidently
stepping on or kicking the laptop after lying on the floor to
do some work with the laptop is not covered. This is
negligence and cannot be covered under warranty, as such
the parent or guardian will be required to cover all repair
costs of the laptop.

29. Your questions answered
Where is this in the Laptop User Charter?
The Laptop User Charter states: Laptops that are damaged
or lost by neglect, abuse or malicious act, may require
reimbursement. The Principal will determine whether
replacement is appropriate and/or whether or not the
student is responsible for repair or replacement costs and
whether or not the student retains access to a laptop for
home use. (2.2.5)
The laptops are loaned to students under the same conditions that other
school equipment is loaned. In the case of other school equipment such
as library books, cameras, etc. the borrower is required to pay repair or
replacement costs if the item is lost or broken.

30. Your questions answered
Can student laptops connect to the Internet at home ?
If you have the Internet connected at home, your child can
also access it there. If you don't have access to the internet
at home, your child can still use the software on their laptop
to work on their schoolwork.
NOTE – the laptop will not work with Telstra 3G wireless or
other similar systems as these systems require the use of an
external USB modem which will not work with the laptop.

31. Your questions answered
Does my child actually own the laptop?
No. Whilst the student is at Menai High School, the laptop is
“on loan” to the student. Any breach of the laptop user
charter, e.g. the student not obeying the teacher’s
instructions and playing games during class, may result in
the laptop being taken off the student as part of the
disciplinary process at the school.

32. Your questions answered
Can students customise the laptop?
Yes, the student is able to customise the background screens
and exterior of the laptop. They should keep in mind that
the laptop does not belong to them and only use stickers
that are removable.

33. Your questions answered
Can I request that my child only have use of the
laptop at school?
YES.
If you would prefer that your child only have use of the laptop
during school hours, this can be arranged. Your child would then be
required to “Check out” the laptop before their first class of the day
and then ‘Check-in” the laptop before leaving the school at the end
of the day.
A letter to the Principal stating this choice will need to be provided
to the school.

34. What you need to do
Parent/Carers and Students need to read carefully then sign
the Digital Education Revolution – Laptop User Charter and
return it to the school by the due date (15th March)
Take into consideration all the issues we have covered in this
presentation – especially costs of repairs/replacements that
are not covered by warranty. Understand the costs of
ownership of the laptop and the policies within the User
Charter.
If a signed form is not returned, then the student will not be
given a laptop.

35. Management of Laptops
Taking leave – students should advise the TSO if they are
taking leave outside school holiday times and/or if they are
taking the laptop beyond the Sydney metropolitan area.
Transferring school or leaving school
The laptop MUST be RETURNED to the school TSO if
the student leaves our school.

36. Our Expectations
Students will bring laptops to school every day
Laptops will be fully charged every night
Normal discipline procedures will be applied for
inappropriate use.

37. School contacts
Technology Support Officer
Mr Hamilton
DER Manager
Mrs Cooper
Deputy Welfare
Mr Lindsay
Deputy Curriculum
Mrs Allen

38. School Timeline
Return of laptop user charter
by Friday 15th March
Issue of laptops to students
by English class beginning on Monday 18th Mar

39. More Information
School A to Z technology guide for parents
http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/
Online communication policy for students
http://bit.ly/Y75Hc3