21st Century Education
Our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program is an initiative designed to enhance the learning experience of our students. This program allows students to bring their personal devices to school for educational use. By providing a 1:1 device ratio, we aim to create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment that prepares students for the digital future. The benefits of this approach include increased engagement, personalised learning experiences, improved digital literacy, and seamless integration of technology across all subjects. We’re implementing this program gradually, starting with specific year levels and expanding over time.
Program Timeline
Year 7
Provisionally the 2026 Year 7 cohort will be included in the BYOD program.Year 8
Provisionally the 2026 Year 8 cohort will be included in the BYOD program.Year 9
Provisionally the 2026 Year 9 cohort will be included in the BYOD program.Year 10
BYOD was rolled out to Year 10 in 2024.Year 11
BYOD was rolled out to Year 11 in 2023.Year 12
BYOD was rolled out to Year 12 in 2023.
Recommended Devices
With multiple manufacturers of Windows based devices there are a large range of options available. Using the below minimum specifications you can purchase a similar device.
DISPLAY
12-inch diagonalSTORAGE
64Gb SSDRAM
4GB DDR4BATTERY
5+ hoursWith multiple manufacturers of Windows based devices there are a large range of options available. Using the below recommended specifications you can purchase a similar device.
DISPLAY
13-inch+ diagonalSTORAGE
128Gb SSDRAM
8GB DDR4BATTERY
5+ hours
Apple MacBook Air M2
or
Apple MacBook Pro M3
NOTE: Must support macOS 14.0 (minimum)
These devices are available from numerous retailers, including the Apple Education Store.
We strongly recommend students going into upper school use a laptop device as the specialised software used in some upper school classes is not available on iPads.
iPad (10th Generation)
or
iPad Air 11″ (M2)
NOTE: Must support iPadOS 17.0 (minimum)
NOTE: iPads require a physical keyboard when being used at school.
These devices are available from numerous retailers, including the Apple Education Store.
Partnered Retailers
Support
The Department of Education provides all students with essential software for use in education at no cost:
- Microsoft Office Suite
How to download & install Microsoft Office 365:
- Sign in to www.office.com with your school email address and password.
- Select ‘Install and more’ from the top right of the page. A dropdown menu will appear.
- Select ‘Install Microsoft 365 apps’.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and run the Office setup. (An internet connection is required.)
To facilitate this digital first education, we provide two additional key services to ensure a seamless learning experience:
- Internet Access
- Printing
Our campus is equipped with a robust, education-focused Wi-Fi network that students can connect to with their devices. We also provide printing services, allowing students to print their work directly from their personal devices to designated school printers.
While we encourage the use of personal devices, please note that the school does not provide hardware support for student-owned equipment. This includes repairs, troubleshooting of hardware issues, or replacement of damaged components.
We recommend that families have a plan in place for device maintenance and repair, such as manufacturer warranties or third-party insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further queries regarding these requirements or any other details please contact the ICT Committee at esperance.shs.ictcommittee@education.wa.edu.au
How to download & install Microsoft Office 365:
- Sign in to www.office.com with your school email address and password.
- Select ‘Install and more’ from the top right of the page. A dropdown menu will appear.
- Select ‘Install Microsoft 365 apps’.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and run the Office setup. (An internet connection is required.)
The school provides internet access and printing services for student devices. No additional technical support is offered for personal devices.
While we implement measures to block online games on the school network, we rely on guardians to monitor and manage games installed on personal devices. We encourage a collaborative approach to ensure devices are used primarily for educational purposes during school hours.
The school is not liable for damage to personal devices brought onto campus. These devices are not covered under the school’s insurance policy. We recommend families consider personal insurance options for their devices.
Internet access is provided at school through a filtered firewall system. This ensures a more education-focused browsing experience and helps reduce access to inappropriate content while on school grounds.
Help will is available to connect students to the Wi-Fi network.
Misuse of devices is treated like any other behavioural issue at school. Our Student Services team and Deputies will determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the nature of the infraction. In some cases, guardians may be required to collect the device at the end of the school day.
While we provide a list of recommended devices, families are not obligated to purchase these specific models. Any similar devices or those meeting the minimum listed specifications will be sufficient. The recommended devices are known to work well with our school network.
Devices such as Android Tablets & Chromebooks are not supported by the school.
The Microsoft Office Suite is available free of charge to all Department of Education students for the duration of their schooling. More specialized software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite, will be provided to students at no cost by the school.
Software provided by the school and Department of Education is available only for the duration of a student’s education. Upon completion of Year 12 or transition to full-time work, the software will cease to function. Students wishing to continue using the software can purchase a personal license.