Students at Hawkesdale P12 College regularly use computer devices and digital technologies for a wide range of educational purposes, from Prep through to Year 12. Primary students use ipads and notebooks to support, record and express their learning; these devices are provided as a routine classroom resource, and primary students do not need to supply their own device at school. It is an expectation that all secondary students will have their own device with them every day for classes in order to support their studies from Years 7 to VCE. For secondary students, our school operates on a BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) basis, with students using a privately purchased laptop chosen by families as their 1:1 device at school. Students will use their device to access online textbooks and learning resources, as well as for research and the production of work at school and at home. BYOT devices do not need to be expensive; a basic Mac or PC laptop is generally all that is required for secondary studies, and with care a device should be suitable to use across all secondary schooling years.

For secondary students, please note that small mobile devices such as Chromebooks, iPods, iPad Minis, smart phones and eBook readers are not suitable as a 1:1 device due to OH&S, productivity and networking concerns. Our ICT technical staff will provide access for students with appropriate BYOT devices to the school wireless network and the internet, and will also provide access to the full suite of eduStar educational learning software. Full recommended specifications for secondary BYOT laptops can be found in the 2025 Acceptable ICT use agreement for secondary students.

At Hawkesdale P12 College we are committed to building a culture of respect and responsibility, and to staff, students and families demonstrating this in the way that we use technology and interact online. Our Primary and Secondary ICT Agreements set out the ways in which we can all work together to stay safe online, to protect personal information, to be kind and respectful online, to follow school rules, to treat technology with respect, and to report inappropriate digital technology use or content to adults. It is an expectation that primary and secondary Agreements are completed for each student every year, and that students understand what is contained and required within their Agreement.

Please contact John Ralph (Principal) if you have any queries or feedback about the use of digital technologies at our school, our secondary BYOT program, or about our annual primary and secondary ICT Agreements.