Technology Requirements

All students in Year 7 will be issued with an Apple iPad that will be theirs to use until the end of Year 8 (or prior to leaving). 

Tablet devices, particularly the iPad, are very well suited as a personal learning device. Many students are already familiar with the Apple iOS operating system, particularly those students who have been using the iPad at Covenant since Junior School. This familiarity means that students are not hampered by having to learn an operating system, but can adapt very quickly to new and innovative learning opportunities. Students can focus on the learning, not the technology itself. 

The availability of software applications (Apps) for the iPad is unmatched by other platforms. Many of these apps are freely available from the Apple App store, while others are available for a small cost. 

The iPads will be managed by the school. All apps needed for use at school will be pre-installed by the school via our management system.  

Parents will have the option of connecting the device to the app store via an AppleID – and installing other apps that aren’t required for use at school. Only those apps that have been added to a “whitelist” by Covenant TechServe staff, in consultation with the relevant Student Wellbeing Coordinator, will be able to be installed. Please note that connecting an Apple ID to the device is completely optional, and won’t be necessary for the completion of any school related tasks.  

Our management system will also allow the school to enforce a number of policies on the device, such as restricting access to iTunes content that might be deemed inappropriate for younger students, as well as enforcing other security and safety related settings. Additionally, parents are encouraged to enable further restrictions on the device via the “restrictions” functionality on the device itself. We recommend that if parents allow an Apple ID to be connected to the device, they activate Family Sharing and use the “Screen Time” monitoring functionality built into all iPadOS devices. 

It is expected that the iPads will NOT be used in every period of every day in every class. The iPad is a very useful tool that enables us to redefine many learning activities which will be used when it is appropriate to do so. In many cases, the best ‘technology’ for some classroom activities may remain the humble pen and paper.  

Students should save all work to their school supplied OneDrive for Business (Education) account.  

Should an iPad require repair, either due to a hardware failure or accidental damage, the student should bring the iPad to TechServe. In the case of damage to the iPad, parents will be charged for the repairs at the following rate:  

First damage instance over the life of the device 

• $0 administration fee 
• 50% of the invoiced cost of the repair 

Second damage instance over the life of the device 

• $40 administration fee 
• 75% of the invoiced cost of the repair 

Third and subsequent damage instance(s) over the life of the device 

• $70 administration fee 
• 100% of the invoiced cost of the repair 

The school has negotiated reduced repair rates with a support partner. Families are NOT authorised to affect their own repairs to the device. ALL repairs must be managed by the school as the owner of the device. In most cases, if an iPad screen is cracked then it will be sent for repair – even if the iPad is still functional. This is to ensure the safety of students as glass shards from a broken screen can easily pierce the skin. 

View iPad resources

• Many students will have a preference for Apple devices running on the MacOS operating system. Others will prefer a PC style product utilising Windows 10. Both of these are appropriate provided they meet the minimum specifications as outlined above. 
• The operating system on should be capable of installing full versions of application software such as the Microsoft Office Suite (Office 365), and Adobe Creative Cloud. 
• If students already have access to a device at home that meets our minimum specifications, they are welcome to use it at school. 

Inappropriate devices:

• Tablet devices running on mobile operating systems (such as the iPad running on iOS) or Android based tablets (such as those in the Samsung Note series) are not appropriate.  
• Google Chromebooks and iPad Pro are not appropriate.

The purchase of this device is the responsibility of the family. We recommend ensuring that any device purchased includes a 3 year, on-site, next business day warranty. 

Covenant has partnered with JB Hi-Fi to compile a list of recommended, education grade BYOD devices. 

JB Hi-Fi BYOD Online portal

The JB Hi-Fi BYOD Online portal offers a range of devices at competitive prices. Enter our school code 'COVENANTBYOD' to view the devices specifically chosen to meet our specifications. This BYOD Toolkit contains a range of helpful information as you move through the selection and purchasing process.

The school will make necessary software for teaching and learning available for installation on the student device, where appropriate, under our licensing agreements, for the duration of their enrolment. This will include, at the time of publication, the MS Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud suites. You are not required to purchase this software. 

Families take full responsibility for warranties, insurance and repairs. They should consider the type and length of warranty, and the process that needs to be taken in order to exercise that warranty should any repair be necessary. Additionally, consideration should also be given to how they might deal with accidental damage, or theft of the notebook. 

Purchasing specific mobile device insurance is strongly recommended. It is the responsibility of families to investigate and understand all implications of any decision on insurance. 

Where possible, TechServe will assist the student with any warranty and repair claims. The school may be able to provide a loan device for the duration of the repair. 

If your device is damaged in some way (either accidentally or by negligence), it is the responsibility of the family to have this repaired. If you have accidental damage insurance you should speak with your insurance provider regarding the appropriate process to follow. The school does not have any responsibility in this process, however, we will assist where appropriate.

Warranty claim for devices purchased via JB Hi-Fi BYOD Online will have to be made with JB Hi-Fi or their vendors. Covenant Christian School do not take any responsibility for this process. 

We recognise the financial difficulties that many families face. If the purchase of a notebook computer would result in significant financial hardship, we invite you to submit an application to the Business Manager, requesting the provision of a notebook computer for a period of time.  

View BYOD resources