Laptop Program

Westminster Laptop Program

Our student laptop program plays a critical role in ensuring that our students have the right access to technology to meet their learning needs. Westminster is a Microsoft Hybrid Environment. This means that our school owned and portal purchased devices have access to simple and automated security and software. Our laptop program is reviewed annually. The information below is for the information of all parents, but particularly those who are joining the School or have a need to upgrade or replace an existing device.

The arrangements for student devices are as follows:

• Early Learning Centre offers access to a variety of technology.
• Reception to Year 3 students will have access to ipads and laptops in the classroom, as well as a specialist computer suite at no additional charge.
• Students from Years 4 to 12 require their own laptop. The options for this laptop are listed below under the headings School Managed Device and Bring Your Own Device. Westminster highly recommends the purchase of a device through our school portal.

Core costs and consumables related to IT for all year levels will continue to be covered as part of the annual core costs component of the School Fees schedule.

The Laptop Program

If your child requires a new laptop, the following outlines the options available to meet the School’s Laptop Device specifications:

School Managed Device

Westminster School regularly reviews what is available in the technology marketplace to ensure the recommended laptops meet the requirements of today’s learning environment. Due to the fast pace of technology releases, we are constantly reviewing and updating our models.

This laptop will be delivered to you with a Westminster ready windows installation. By signing into the device you will have access to the School's software and be ready to connect to the School network on your first day. Recommended devices will receive full support from our ICT Services Department. This includes easy access to warranty and Accident Damage repairs as well as simplified security, automation and zero-touch deployment of updates.

Experience from previous years has shown that the School recommended device has allowed ease of access for the students and swift resolution of issues via ICT Services. Maintenance, repairs, and software updates on those devices are the responsibility of the student or parents/caregiver.

Our desire is that ICT is simple, effective and most of all stress-free. This process removes the difficulty of choice, choosing antivirus software and dealing with lengthy repairs through retailers.

The portal is available at Westminster Technology Portal.
Access Code: westminster2022
Warranty and ADP Claims are also submitted by the student or parent/caregiver through this portal.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

We recommend the use of a School Managed Device for ease of repairs and the School's ability to provide a more complete ICT support solution. However, we do support the use of a laptop (including Apple) as long as it meets the minimum specifications. It is important to note that the School is unable to assist with repairs, data recovery, updates and resetting of BYOD devices. Some BYOD devices will also pose software limitations for some subjects

• Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU
• Minimum 11" Display
• 8GB/16GB Memory
• 250GB Solid-State Drive/NVME
• WiFi 11ax/WiFi 6 (recommended)
• Minimum advertised battery life of 7 hours
• Microsft Windows 10 (Version 21H1 or newer) or Apple MacOS 11 (Big Sur)

BYOD devices will receive limited support from our ICT Services team beyond assistance to connect to the network. Maintenance (including repairs and resetting of devices), software updates and security will be the student or parent/caregiver’s responsibility for those devices. Devices must be actively backed up by the student or parent/caregiver. Westminster highly recommends the use of Onedrive for all school-related data as we are a Microsoft Hybrid Environment. Any loss of data on a student device is not the responsibility of the School.

If you wish to Bring Your Own Device and you are unsure if the device is suitable, or if you have any technical questions in relation to the laptop program, then please contact BYO and Tech Assistance.

Policies

Use of ICT and devices by students at Westminster School is subject to the following policies: