1. Policy

Computing devices and network access are provided to students to enhance teaching and learning. The use of these devices and services requires informed parental consent and appropriate management.

2. Background

Students, teachers and other St Paul’s College community members need to have clear guidelines to ensure that information technology resources are used appropriately. These guidelines will assist teachers at St Paul’s College implement procedures that both protect and educate the students in their care.

3. Definitions

Computing Device – Includes Desktop computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablet computers and other devices capable of accessing the College network.
Inappropriate Material – Any material that is offensive, abusive, discriminatory, defamatory, illegal or lewd and lascivious (including, but not limited to, pornography) is considered inappropriate. If a student is unsure if material is appropriate they should check with their teacher before attempting to access it.
Bullying – Persistent behaviour that causes hurt or distress for another person. Bullying may be “unintended”, however the impact on the victim will be considered.

4. Access and Security

Access to the College network is carefully monitored and controlled to safeguard student
welfare and enhance learning. Users are not to attempt to subvert the College network security systems, including, but not limited to, the College proxy server and installed anti-virus software.
Intentionally subverting these security measures may seriously compromise the safety and security of other users and will result in a loss of access privileges.
Any user who inadvertently discovers a breach of the College’s security systems or who witnesses’ inappropriate use of the College’s network of computing devices is to report the incident immediately.

5. Personal Information, Privacy and Confidentiality

College staff have to balance the privacy rights of individuals against their moral and legal obligation to protect students from harm and ensure that any computing resources are used to enhance teaching and learning. As such, teachers will inspect the contents of any computing device provided by the College and/or other personal devices from time to time. Furthermore, access to the Internet and the College network will be monitored and reviewed.

6. Intellectual Property and Copyright

All users are expected to only use legal content on their College provided computing device. Using College resources to access illegal or pirated material is strictly prohibited and may result in the matter being referred to the appropriate authorities for serious breaches.
Furthermore, users are to ensure that any work that they submit or host on a College computing device or network is original and appropriately referenced. Plagiarism is a serious academic matter and may lead to disciplinary action.

7. Appropriate Use – Terms and Conditions

Students:
• agree to adhere to the terms and conditions set out in this Acceptable Use Policy each time they use a computing device provided by the College and/or access the College network.
• will ensure that all communication using the computing device provided by the College and/or separate online services is related to learning or school activities
• will keep passwords confidential, and change them when prompted or when known by another user
• will never knowingly allow others to use their computing device or network account unless directed to by a teacher for the purposes of collaborative learning
• will not send or publish unacceptable or unlawful material or remarks including offensive, abusive, defamatory or discriminatory comments
• will not access or attempt to access inappropriate material
• will not attempt to impersonate any other person when using the College provided computing device or College network
• will not engage in any bullying, intimidation or other inappropriate behaviour online
• will immediately tell a teacher if they receive a computer virus or a message that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable
• will never knowingly initiate or forward emails containing:
• a message that was sent to them privately
• a computer virus or attachments that are capable of damaging the recipients’ computers
• chain letters and hoax emails
•“spam”, like unsolicited advertising material, or mail unrelated to learning
• will not damage or disable computers, computer systems or networks of the College or other entity
• will not attempt any repairs on the computing device provided by the College, nor open the machine’s enclosure in any way.
• will ensure that online services are not used for unauthorised commercial activities, political lobbying, gambling or any unlawful purpose.
• will not attempt to access the College’s network using an unapproved private device, including but not limited to, smartphones or games devices
• will ensure that they have an appropriate data backup strategy. For example, all important data (e.g. assignments) should be backed up to an external device every week. Furthermore, important documents should also be stored in a “cloud-based” backup facility like Dropbox (www.dropbox.com).
• will not install software on any College computing device without completing the appropriate Software Installation Request document and receiving the approval of the Learning Technologies Coordinator.
• will promptly comply with all instructions from their teachers relating to the use of College computing devices and network systems.
• will ensure that any computing device is charged at night for use at school the following day.
• will not use any College computing device while travelling to and from the College or between classes. Any computing device must only be transported secured inside an appropriately padded bag.
• will not use any College computing device in the playground at recess or lunch.
• will not use the camera option on any device at school without teacher permission.

Teachers:
• are responsible for supervising student use of the College provided computing devices and access to the College network.
• are to maintain an informed view of the relative risks and educational benefits of online activity by their students. A variety of resources are available from the Internet sites listed in Section 8 of this policy document.
• are to ensure that students are aware of the possible negative consequences of publishing identifying information online including their own or other students’ images
• are to check that any material planned for publication on the Internet or College network has the approval of the Principal and has appropriate copyright and privacy clearance
• are aware of the steps to take and advice to give if students notify them of inappropriate or unwelcome online activity by fellow students or members of the public. Such steps may include:
• collecting as much information as possible about the incident including copies of communications
• emphasising to the student that the event is not necessarily their fault
• identifying any risky behaviours on the part of the reporting student and counseling them on the need to adopt more protective behaviours
• if the incident warrants further attention inform the Principal of the incident (for example, if the teacher suspects the student may have been placed in a position of harm)
• are to inform parents that student Internet access from home or other non-school sites does not occur via the College’s network and therefore Internet browsing may not be filtered
• should promote the use of strong passwords for students who can cope with the complexity. Stronger passwords:
• contain a mixture of alphabetic and non-alphabetic characters
• are changed frequently
• do not contain dictionary words
• do not contain easily identified personal information such as name, date of birth, etc.
• do not contain any part of the account identifier such as the username