Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Expectations​

KSHS requires all year levels, 7 to 12, to have a laptop for learning at school and at home.  Students should bring their laptop to school everyday. The school recognises that some families may nee​​​d support for this, it is therefore possible to acquire a school laptop on a hire to buy basis.

The school is offering two models for student access to technology in the classroom and at home:

A school-managed Hire to Buy (H2B) and a self-managed Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Both models see improved access to technology for students across all year levels and provides choice of the technology device that best suits a student's learning needs.

Our Technology Program works on a split Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9) / Senior Secondary (Years 10 to 12) technology model. This split aligns with device warranties and expected usable life of a technology device.

What is Hire to Buy (H2B)?

'Hire to Buy' provides parents with two devices to choose from and elect to purchase. The parent initially contributes the cost of the device to the school via a Participation Agreement - Payment can be made in full or over a two or three year period. The school will then purchase the device for their students' sole use. The school will retain ownership of the device which allows the school ​to maintain the device on the students behalf.

At the end of the Participation Agreement the school will dispose of the device according to the Department of Education and Training (DET) policy. Parents will have the opportunity to acquire the device at this time under the Private Treaty arrangement. ​

Please review these key documents to part​icipate in our Hire to Buy program:

• ​Hire to Buy Handbook
  
• 1-to-1 Program Student Charter
  
• 1-to-1 Program Selection and Order Form​​​
  

​Rationale

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a new pathway supporting the delivery of 21st century learning. It is a term used to describe a digital device ownership model where students or staff use their personally-owned device to access the department's information and communication (ICT) network.

Access to the department's ICT network is provided only if the device meets the department's security requirements which, at a minimum, requires that anti-virus software has been installed, is running and is kept updated on the device.

At Kirwan State High School the BYOD initiative will allow students to bring their own device to school and access the schools information technology resources. This will allow students to use the same device at home and at school. Although it is not for everyone, there are many advantages to a BYOx program, including:

• Students will have increased access to the school's network, the internet and specialty software for enhanced learning.
• Greater continuity between learning at school and at home.
• Development of critical IT and 21st Century Skills.
• School based support to connect to the network and access to free software through Education Queensland.

The BYOD program at Kirwan State High School is designed to provide students with a safe environment that will allow them to engage with the curriculum and the school community in a respectful way. Students will be able to bring a supported device to school and connect to the Kirwan State High School network. The school network will provide access to curriculum resources, the internet, email and more.

Supported devices

The school is allowing students to bring any device as long as it meets the requirements below. The listed requirements will allow the student to connect to the school network wirelessly and gain access to school resources.

1. Apple Laptops newer then 2020 should be compatible with the school network. 
2. ​Apple iPads should be a minimum size of a 32GB and have a strong case that protects the iPad from damage and a keyboard.
3. Windows based devices are required to have a minimum of 8​GB RAM. It is also recommended these devices have a processor of at least Intel i3 (or equivalent). All devices require at least 80GB of free Hard Drive space. If subjects are being completed such as Graphics, Art, Design; higher specifications are recommended such as 16GB RAM and a processor of at least Intel i5 (or equivalent). 

Windows 10/11 in S mode will need to be switched out. Instructions to do this can be found on the Microsoft Windows 10/11 in S mode FAQ. 

The school's wireless network only supports 5GHz devices. ​

Not supported​​

The following devices are not supported on the DoE network. ​

• ​Android
• Chromebook/Chrome OS
• Linux
  
• Microsoft Copilot+ PCs
  

​​Vendor portals

Vendor portals are an option for parents purchasing a BYO device. The use of these portals is not mandatory and they are provided by vendors as a convenience for parents. The school is not involved in the private transactions between parents and the vendors.​ This list is in alphabetical order.​​

• HP​ - School code: KirwanSHS
  
• JB Hi-Fi​ - School code: KIRWANBYOD2025
  
• The School Locker​​

Software

Microsoft Office is provided by Education Queensland for current students. Installition instructions for PCs and Macs can be found on the DoE The internet at school page. On iOS/iPadOS or Andriod you can download the Microsoft Office apps from the App store or Play Store and use your school account to unlock the full features.

The devices will also need to have an antivirus software installed and for it to be kept updated. Students are also expected to have an internet browsing program such as Micro​soft Edge.

Some subject specific software may have higher specific hardware requirements. The school has devices capable of supporting this software that are available for use where a student's device cannot support this software.

Cost

There will be no cost apart from students providing their own device. An induction will occur when students are granted permission to join the program. If a student's device requires further support there may be charges incurred but only after a parent's authorisation has been received.

Contact

If you are interested in participating in the BYOD program, or have further questions about the program, please contact the Head of Department of IT Tim Villalba on (07) 4773 8174 or by email at StudentICTSupport@kirwanshs.eq.edu.au