Harrisdale Senior High School embraces a strong technology focus, supported by our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy.
This policy encourages students to bring their personal laptops to school for daily learning activities. These devices are used to access online resources, complete assignments, and collaborate with peers, creating a connected and dynamic learning environment. The school provides guidance on device specifications to ensure compatibility and performance in the classroom.
Our BYOD program plays a key role in preparing students for a technology-driven future. It empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use digital tools effectively.
At Harrisdale SHS, BYOD is more than just a policy—it’s a pathway to future-ready learning.
Please note that the officially supported operating system of the Department of Education is now Windows 11. If you choose to use an OSX/ IOS device there will be limited support available.
Android Tablets and Chromebooks are not supported in any capacity.
Students must have the operating system configured and Office 365 or equivalent software installed at home before bringing the device to the school.
Office 365 is free for the duration of the student’s study within the Department of Education. Instructions are available above for how to install office 365 for free.
It is highly recommended that the student is made an administrator of the device or knows the administrator password so they can install software as required for teaching and learning. Software that is a class requirement is available as a free download on the school’s internal webserver. Where possible there will be support for macOS devices but as standard, all software is windows based.
Parents may choose to purchase a device from any source. SolutionsIT and Stott Hoare are able to provide a cost-effective device, software and warranty package, with parents making their own purchasing arrangements with the company. The pack includes pick up and drop off at the school should the device require servicing.
In the BYOD program, students and parents must:
Sign the BYOD Student Agreement before bringing their devices to school
Ensure their devices are safe and secure at all times
An extended warranty with a pickup/delivery of services is available for devices purchased through both SolutionsIT and Stott Hoare. Students are responsible for the care of the device while at school as they are their property. We suggest parents check with their insurance companies to check their level of coverage. While some contents insurance packages automatically include devices away from home, others require additional coverage.
A small number of devices will be available on loan from the school library each day. These may be used as a short-term backup, however, they may not be taken home and do not have all the features of the BYOD specifications.
These devices are only to be borrowed before school or during break times. No devices will be loaned out during class. Students that do not have a device for the day will need to plan and borrow a device during these times
The school provides free of charge a suite of required software for students in their electives. Most of this software is designed for x86/x64 architecture and does not have ARM-native versions. Snapdragon processors use ARM architecture, which is not natively compatible with this software. While Windows on ARM offers emulation for some x86 applications, compatibility and performance are limited.
Windows 11 takes up a significant amount of space, and students often need extra room for applications, projects, and media files. Electives like Media or Computing require large programs and files, which can quickly fill smaller drives.
Choosing a 256GB device ensures:
Our school uses Windows because it aligns with the Department of Education’s centrally managed environment, which is Windows-based. This ensures:
Choosing Windows guarantees the best experience for students, with reliable access to required programs and technical support.
