FRequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Apple ID?

An Apple ID is the owner's unique code that allows access to the iTunes store and the App Store to make purchases for an Apple digital device. All purchases and downloads are linked to the person's Apple ID. To save confusion we prefer the Apple ID to be the student's College Email address. Student's must have their own personal Apple ID.

 2. If my child is under 13, how do we manage setting up an Apple ID for them?

Parents should set up the Apple ID for their sons/daughters using the student's unique email address as the Apple ID. Credit cards must not be attached to your sons /daughters Apple ID. This way the parent is in control of the account knowing the Apple ID and password.

 3. We already have a Macbook or iPad device at home for my son/daughter to use. Do I have to purchase another one?

Firstly It will be problematic if your son /daughter is sharing a digital device with other family members. Text messages intended for one person will be received by another; Apps deleted by one person may be required by the other; Purchases made by one family member are not the purchased intended by another. Secondly your son/daughter will need this device for the next 2 years of their schooling. They shouldn't have to compete with other family members for its use.

 4. Are we required to insure the device through our home and contents insurance?

The School strongly recommends that each family insure their device against accidental damage, theft, and loss. AppleCare Warranty can be purchased with a new device. Please review the conditions and coverage that AppleCare provides before purchase, particularly in line with other insurance policies, as there may or may not be a crossover of services. It is incumbent upon each family to explore the appropriate type and level of cover for their digital device. Not all home and contents policies will provide adequate cover. The best advice available to families will come from their own insurance company.

 5. What are the warranty terms? Can I extend this time frame?

All Apple devices come with a 12-month AppleCare warranty that protects the purchaser from faults, breakdown and standard repairs on their iPad. By purchasing an AppleCare Protection Plan, you can extend that warranty by a further 12 months. Please note that the device warranty is NOT the same as insuring the device against theft, damage, and loss.

 6. What is the best way to purchase apps? Would you recommend iTunes cards?

There will be some core apps that the College deems necessary for all students. These will be supplied to your son/daughter at no additional charge. iTunes cards can be cost effective. The College requests that students do not have a credit card associated with the Apple ID they are utilising. 

 7. Will the school provide iTunes cards should another app be required at a later time? Or do we purchase the app?

The school will not be supplying iTunes cards. As our digital device program evolves, the College may gradually add a range of apps and iBooks to the booklist for each year group which will replace some physical texts currently being used.

At the beginning of the school year, the College will provide the redemption codes for a list of apps that are deemed “Required Apps” to all students. Should other apps become available or necessary throughout the course of the year, the College will make the appropriate decision as to whether to purchase and supply these apps.

In every instance, the College will endeavour to source FREE apps in place of purchased apps in order to reduce costs for everyone involved.

In future years, the College may require families to purchase selected specialist apps.

8. Will my son/daughter be signing an acceptable use/agreement of use/care and maintenance agreement?

Despite the fact that BYODD designated devices are personally owned devices, the College still expects all students to abide by ethical and responsible standards of behaviour regarding their use of digital devices. There will be policies in the College Diary for parents and students to sign acknowledging their role in upholding the College's digital citizenship expectations

Hopefully, parents can support the College by having ongoing discussions with their sons / daughters regarding their online behaviour and usage.

9. Whose responsibility is the care and cleaning of the device?

It is the student’s responsibility to look after his or her own device. Students can seek the advice of staff, as to how to best look after the device. Instructions for care and cleaning were also included in the documentation you received upon purchasing the device.

10. Should parents regulate the amount of time their sons/daughters spend on their digital device?

Absolutely. It's crucial that your son/daughter maintains balance in their lives. Balance involves making time to nurture relationships with family and friends; playing sport and keeping physically and mentally active; working and doing the household chores; pondering and praying, and importantly adequate sleep and nutrition. If your son/daughter is continually in their bedroom for hours on end with their digital device then there is a problem that needs addressing.

11. Is my child’s Internet access monitored? 

Your sons/daughters online usage is monitored at school but NOT at home. The College monitors the websites students visit and their total data throughput. 

12. Are cell phone network enabled devices acceptable at the College?

Cell phone network enabled devices are neither necessary or required for students. The College has a robust network that offers consistent Internet access throughout the school day. Digital devices with cell phone functionality allow students to bypass the Colleges’s network and filtering systems creating an opportunity for students to contravene the College rules and engage in illegal or inappropriate activities.

While the onus is on all students to make appropriate choices regarding responsible ICT behaviours, not having access to a cell phone network enabled device will assist in this regard.

13. Do I need internet access at home?

In order for your child to access all the features available on digital device, an Internet connection of some sort will be needed at home.

Please be aware that many mobile phones have the ability to create an internet connection that can be used with other digital devices. 

If a mobile phone is being used an internet router please be aware that you may be subject to mobile phone data charges.

14. Is there anyone we can contact if we are having trouble with the digital devices?

As an Apple customer, you have 24/7 access to their technical support team for 90 days after your purchase. If you purchase the Apple Care Protection Plan, this timeframe is extended to two years. Teachers and IT support can assist with minor issues at the College.

15. How do we back up to iCloud? 

Backing up to iCloud is usually configured when you initially setup your digital device with an Apple ID. Note that iCloud doesn't backup all your data. You will need to connect your iPad to a computer via iTunes to fully backup.

16. Jailbreaking iPads! What is the College’s stance?

Essentially, jailbreaking is the process of removing the parameters put in place by Apple and bypassing their restrictions. Jalibreaking allows the user to download content and software that is not Apple approved and not available in the Apple store. While this may sound clever, please be aware that by jailbreaking your device you are voiding the warranty of the device and you are also making yourself susceptible to reduced security on your devices.

It is the College's recommendation that families do not allow their devices to be jailbroken.

17. Who pays for repairs or replacement if the device is damaged by another student?

The School will investigate any situation where devices are damaged by other persons and a decision will be made by the College Principal on the fairest course of action.

18. What is the battery life of the device?

The battery is an important part of your iPad’s functionality. In order to better understand its capacity and how to preserve it over the long term, please read the information available on Apple’s website. Check this out this video

19. Can a teacher confiscate the device if my child is using it inappropriately?

Teachers have an important role in ensuring that teaching and learning is a key focus within the classroom.  Should a student's use of their device use work against their learning and the learning of others the teacher will confiscate the device for the remainder of the lesson and a note will be placed in the student's diary. Please refer t the confiscation policy set out in the student diary.

20. Can my child personalise the device by adding music, movies or personal pictures?

For BYOD devices your family has purchased the digital device as a personal device, and we understand and support the idea that our students will want to personalise them. However, there are some considerations we would like families to keep in mind:

Rental and College purchased Macbooks must NOT be physcially personalised until they are fully owned by the student's family.

21. What % of the school day will students use their digital devices

There is no way to quantify this percentage, as each day in the classroom is diverse and unique. However, these digital devices are only one of many learning tool for your child, and, as such, it will be used regularly. Holy Spirit College feels strongly that the learning your child engages is paramount, and teachers will choose the best tools and strategies to support their learning. On many occasions, that will be the their digital device, but at other times, it will be a book or pen and paper. 

Our aim as a College is to provide learning experiences that are engaging, innovative and authentic for our students, and we will design programs and choose the learning tools that enable us to make that happen successfully. Given that the written HSC exams still exist, and are likely to when your child reaches Year 12, we understand the need for activities and assessments to be completed without their digital devices. We will always strive to find the right balance between these two realities.

22. Will homework be required to be completed on the device? Yes. Teachers will however use a range of strategies to reinforce student learning whilst at home, some of which will include use of their digital device.

23. Can we use a different device other than an iPad or Macbook?

The College has decided to use the iPad (years 7-9) and Macbooks (Years 10-12) with the BYODD program. College systems and teaching strategies will be developed around these devices. No allowances or assistance will be given for other devices.

24. What is the lifetime or upgrade time frame for this device?

With BYO designated devices the time to upgrade will be up to individual families. The time to upgrade will be affected by future software updates that may not be supported on older devices. Most devices have at least a 3 year lifespan.

25. Should I install Beta releases of software before they become publicly available?

Beta software is software that is released to people to test and give feedback about the errors that exist in the software. In many cases Beta software causes massive issues in the normal daily operation of the digital device. Never install pre-release software and expect other people to fix the problems that it causes. Always wait until software becomes publicly available before downloading and installing.

 

26. I think someone has jail broken my iPad. Will this cause issues with my iPad at School?

Absolutely. Not only is it illegal but it will cause no end of problems when you want to use your iPad in normal ways, like downloading Apps. The College will NOT be able to assist you in un-jail breaking your iPad.

 

27. Can I decide to transition my iPad to a Macbook before I’m in year 10?

If you are in Year 8 or 9 you can transition to a Macbook. There is a process to follow which starts with seeing the Year Coordinator about your wishes. Forms will need to be downloaded from the College’s Website and an interview with IT Support organised.

 

28. Can Holy Spirit’s IT support team carry out physical repairs on my BYODD digital Device?

The short answer is NO. The student’s device belongs to the student and not the school. If one of our technicians attempts to repair a BYODD and causes damage then we become inadvertently liable for any physical damage to the device. However, if the family is prepared to waver any liability on the College’s behalf, and they do this in writing, then IT support may be able to assist.

29. Who do I contact if I have any further questions? 

Please feel free to email your questions to:

Mr Michael Petre

Learning Technologies Coordinator

michael.petre@dow.catholic.edu.au