ICT Acceptable Use & BYOD Policy

How students at St Mary's College may use college technology, the Wi-Fi network and their own devices (BYOD), what the annual ICT Acceptable Use Agreement covers, and what happens when the rules are breached.

Updated 12 August 2026

Technology is part of everyday learning at St Mary's College, from college-owned iPads in Prep to the laptop every Year 7 student brings under our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. This policy sets out how students are expected to use devices, networks and online accounts so that technology serves learning, keeps everyone safe and reflects the respect for others at the heart of our Catholic community.

Purpose

To ensure that all students, staff and families understand the safe, respectful and responsible use of information and communication technology (ICT) at the College, and to explain the responsibilities that come with the annual ICT Acceptable Use Agreement.

Scope

This policy applies to all students from Prep to Year 12, their parents and carers, and all staff. It covers college-owned devices (iPads in Prep–Year 2, laptops in Years 3–6, shared devices in specialist rooms), student-owned BYOD laptops in Years 7–12, the college Wi-Fi network, college email and Learning Hub accounts, and any online activity that affects the College community, whether it occurs on or off campus.

Policy statement

St Mary's College provides filtered, monitored network access and expects students to use technology only for purposes that support their learning and wellbeing. Access to ICT is a privilege that depends on students meeting the standards in this policy and the Agreement. The College follows the guidance of the eSafety Commissioner and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), and treats online behaviour as an extension of behaviour in the classroom and the yard.

Procedures

Annual agreement. At the start of Term 1 each year, every student and one parent or carer sign the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement through the Parent Portal (Forms). Junior students discuss the Agreement in class in Week 1; Senior students review it in Homeroom. Network access is activated once the Agreement is signed.
Devices. Prep–Year 2 use college-owned iPads and Years 3–6 use college-owned laptops that stay at school. Years 7–12 bring their own laptop under the BYOD program (see Laptop Program (BYOD) for specifications). Devices must arrive fully charged and be carried in a padded laptop bag. Insurance and repairs for BYOD devices are the family's responsibility.
Loan laptops. If a device is being repaired, students may borrow a loan laptop from the IT Helpdesk in the Library (Senior School), open 8:00am–4:00pm, for up to 3 school days; longer loans need the approval of the Head of Senior School.
Network. Students connect only to the filtered college Wi-Fi network, StMarys-Student. VPNs, proxy sites and personal mobile hotspots are not permitted and are treated as a deliberate attempt to bypass filtering.
Accounts and monitoring. College accounts (email, Learning Hub, cloud storage) are monitored. Students must keep passwords private, log out of shared devices and never use another person's account.
Breaches. Staff who become aware of misuse record it in the student management system and refer it to the year-level coordinator. Consequences follow the Behaviour & Restorative Practices Policy and may include loss of network access for a set period, device confiscation until the end of the day, restorative conversations and parent meetings. Serious matters (threats, image-based abuse, hacking) are referred to the Deputy Principal and, where required, Victoria Police.

Responsibilities

Parents and carers

Read and sign the Agreement with your child each year and talk about it at home.
Ensure BYOD devices are charged, insured, in a protective bag and have the required software installed.
Set up home filtering and reasonable screen-time limits; the eSafety Commissioner's parent resources are a good starting point.

Students

Use devices only for learning during class, and only as directed by the teacher.
Be respectful online: no harassment, no sharing of images without consent, no accessing or sharing inappropriate content.
Report anything worrying to a teacher, coordinator or counsellor straight away.

Staff

Model responsible use, supervise device use during lessons and teach digital citizenship explicitly.
Record and follow up breaches consistently, and refer wellbeing concerns to the year-level coordinator.

Review

Policy owner: Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching. Approved by the College Leadership Team January 2026; ratified by the College Advisory Council; next review January 2028.

Frequently asked questions

What laptop does my Year 7 child need?

The minimum specifications and recommended models are listed on the Laptop Program (BYOD) page. Any laptop meeting the specifications is fine; a tablet without a keyboard is not sufficient for Senior School work.

What happens if my child's laptop breaks?

Bring it to the IT Helpdesk in the Library between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Staff can help with software problems, and a loan laptop is available for up to 3 school days while the family arranges repair through their supplier or insurer.

Can my child use their phone as a hotspot if the Wi-Fi is slow?

No. Personal hotspots bypass the College's filtering and monitoring and are a breach of the Agreement. Wi-Fi problems should be reported to the IT Helpdesk.

Does the College see what my child does online at home?

The College monitors activity on college accounts and on the college network. Activity on the home network is not monitored, but online behaviour towards other members of the College community, wherever it occurs, is covered by this policy and the Anti-Bullying Policy.

Who do I contact with concerns about something my child saw online?

Contact your child's year-level coordinator first, or the Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching on (03) 9555 0100. Serious online harm can also be reported directly to the eSafety Commissioner.