Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

St Mary's College BYOD Recommended Specifications

St Mary's College is device-agnostic, supporting both macOS and Windows devices.

Below are the recommended minimum specifications when choosing a device:

Minimum Specifications for Mac

13" Display
Apple M1 Processor
8GB Memory
265GB SSD Storage
macOS 12.5 or later

Minimum Specifications for PC

13" Display
11th Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
8GB Memory
256GB SSD Storage
WiFi 6
Windows 10 21H2 (May 2021 Update) or later

Critical Requirements

USB Type-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort^TM connectivity or Thunderbolt^TM 3

BYOD Purchasing Portal

The College has established a BYOD purchase portal that provides access to discounted education-specific laptops, accessories, and insurance.

Benefits include:

24/7 access
Online portal that is easy to use
Access to discounted education pricing
Online chat support (available during business hours)
Simple one-click checkout process with a credit card, direct debit or personal finance payment options

The online ordering portal is accessible via the below information:

URL: http://stmarys.technologyportal.com.au.
School code: SMC2022

BYOD Frequently Asked Questions

Administrator Account Rights

At times students are required to install subject-related software or adjust specific settings on the device. The device will need an account with administrator privileges which our ITC team will enable when needed.

Support and services provided by the College

Students have access to the College WiFi network with intelligent internet content filtering and network security while on campus. Printing facilities are available to print from student devices with setup instructions available on the ICT Support Guide.

Charging

Before commencing the school day, students need to charge the device to ensure minimal disruption to learning. In addition, the College provides USB Type-C charging stations and BYOD hot desk facilities across the campus. For Technology Lab lessons, where the software used is battery and resource-demanding, devices must support the USB Type-C charging and Display Port standard.

St Mary's College ICT Support

A list of prerequisite software and software required in specific subjects, as well as steps to set up WiFi connectivity, printing, and other resources, are available on the ICT Support Guide.

Personal Data Protection and Security

The College recommends taking a "best practice" approach to protecting personal files and device security. Configuring and enabling a Microsoft Account (Windows) or Apple iCloud (macOS) is strongly recommended to help recover from hardware failure or malicious software. Students will complete Multi-factor Authentication when they are assigned their College Microsoft 365 account.

Both services offer the following features free of charge:

5GB of storage to backup personal files and settings
Remote Lock and Find My Device to lock or locate a device that is lost or stolen
Password Recovery to assist in the event login credentials to the device are misplaced or forgotten

Schoolwork Data Protection

OneDrive is available as part of Microsoft 365 for all students to backup data, share files and collaborate, including 1TB of storage.

Malware Protection, Security Features and Software Updates

We strongly encourage student devices to have recommended Microsoft and Apple system security features configured and enabled, and installed apps are up to date. macOS and Windows platforms have adequate built-in malware protection at no cost. Third-party antivirus or security software is not required nor recommended. In many cases, third-party antivirus software can cause performance and connectivity issues for classroom software.

Warranty Support

SMC ICT can provide assessment and recommendations when a device requires authorised hardware support from the vendor, such as a fault or damage. However, the ICT Department cannot perform BYOD repairs or modifications as this will void device warranties provided by the manufacturer.

Lost or Stolen Devices and Damage Cover

Purchasing a padded, secure laptop bag to protect the device is recommended, and encourage Accidental Damage Cover from the device manufacturer at the time of purchase. As is the case with other personally owned items, St Mary's College is not responsible for damage/misuse or theft/loss of a student device. Therefore, when a device is not in use, students should secure it in their locker. Additionally, taking out an insurance policy or adding the device to an existing plan is recommended.

Loans

When a BYOD requires repair, the College has a procedure for students to access a limited number of loan devices for short periods only.

The Lifecycle of BYOD Hardware

Technology and curriculum requirements change, and devices experience natural "wear and tear" from everyday use. It is reasonable to expect BYOD hardware replacement every 3-years to ensure reliability and compatibility with the College's ICT software and services. Details provided on the Recommended Specifications guide are current and revised half-yearly.