The Westminster School Laptop Program, introduced in 2025, provides students with a standardised Windows-based device to ensure consistency in classrooms and strengthen online safety. The program supports students and families in navigating the challenges of cybersecurity and online learning, and aligns with best practice across many schools.
From 2025, all Year 4 students and new students from Years 4 to 12 receive a School-issued Windows laptop. Students with a School-approved laptop purchased through the School portal may continue to use that device until it is no longer viable, including when devices are handed down to younger siblings.
To support device standardisation across campus and maintain best-practice security on our network, the School is phasing out Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). A grace period until the start of 2027 allows students to continue using BYOD, but when these devices need replacing, students will move to the School Laptop Program. Non–School-approved BYOD devices will no longer be permitted on the School network from the start of the 2027 school year.
This program does not affect any personal devices families choose for home use, although these devices will not be allowed to connect to the School network from 2027. In line with the Acceptable Use of ICT policy, software installations on School-owned devices will be managed via a secure Westminster portal.
Device Selection, Benefits and IT Levy
Device Selection
Following extensive consultation, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 was selected for the program. This model offers exceptional performance for education, with a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. It delivers up to 18 hours of battery life and is lightweight, making it easy to carry between school and home.
13.5 inch Platinum | Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor | 16GB RAM | 256GB SSD
The purchase price for this device configuration directly from Microsoft is $2,739*
Program benefits
Standardisation: By 2027, all students will be using a School-approved Windows device, enabling collaboration and consistency across the classroom.
Uniform Environment: A consistent device fleet allows teachers to integrate technology seamlessly without managing multiple platforms.
Enhanced Security: Advanced security features monitored 24/7 by Microsoft and the Westminster ICT team protect devices at school and at home.
Comprehensive Support: Includes warranty and break-fix support, with access to spare devices when repairs are required.
IT Levy
A current annual IT Levy of $800 applies to families with a School-issued laptop. This levy covers:
- Allocation of a fully maintained School-issued device (updated every three years) for learning use at school and home.
- Cybersecurity protection/anti-virus/anti-malware protection monitored 24/7.
- All required school software pre-installed.
- Warranty claim management by the School.
- Access to a loan laptop during repairs or replacement.
- A protective carry case.
Please note that the IT Levy is subject to change in line with CPI increases.
What does this mean for your child and family?
For all students entering Year 4 in 2025 and new students to the School (Years 4 to 12) in 2025:
- As a family with a child entering Year 4 at Westminster in 2025 or a new family , our intention is that your child will be automatically enrolled in this new program.
- An annual IT Levy will apply for a laptop supplied, fully supported and network secured under the new School Laptop program.
- Each student will receive a Windows laptop, with protective case, preloaded with all the necessary technology for the classroom, ensuring they are ready to start school on the first day of Term 1 2025.
- Under the program, no supplied laptop is planned to be more than three years old.
- As we approach a time of year when laptop promotions ramp up, we ask that you do not purchase a laptop or similar device for use at School.
- There is no need to purchase a separate device for your child’s use at School or for doing School work at home.
For all students (Years 5 to 12) in 2025:
- The new program sees the School providing a standardised Windows-based laptop for all students as the need arises, attracting a new annual IT Levy (see below).
- As many families have purchased a School-approved laptop (through the School portal) in recent years for their child, this laptop will continue to be serviced under the existing arrangements until such time as the device needs to be replaced.
- The new program shifts the policy away from the option of being able to BYOD and this is particularly important for families potentially in the market for a new School device for their child.
- If you are currently a BYOD family, we will continue to support your child’s functioning BYOD until the commencement of the 2027 school year.
- We want all students to be on a School-approved device by the commencement of 2027, which fits the general profile of device life.
- If your child’s current laptop is your own, purchased School-approved device, it will continue to be supported until it needs replacing, even if this extends beyond the start of 2027.
- The new annual IT Levy will not be applied to families currently in the BYOD grace period or who using their own purchased school-approved laptop.
For Students in 2026
- Year 4 students and new students in Years 4–12 will be allocated a School-issued laptop unless using a functioning School-approved device purchased through the School portal.
- Families can join the program at any time if a new device is needed. To have a device allocated for the start of the 2026 school year, registration must be completed by the end of Term 3, 2025. For registrations after this time, best efforts will be made to ensure that devices are provided as soon as possible.
- Students using a School-approved laptop will continue with that device until replacement is required, at which point they will join the program.
- BYOD devices will continue to be supported until the start of the 2027 school year, after which all students must be on a School-approved device.
If you have questions at this time, please feel free to contact us at E: laptop@westminster.sa.edu.au
*Costs correct as per publish date of 31/10/2024
