Academic Learning embracing technology
Our technology-enhanced learning approach combines the best aspects of technology with best practice in teaching. The academic courses offered at Saint Stephen’s College infuse modern technology into curricular fundamentals. Our fast and reliable network incorporates state-of-the-art infrastructure and a whole-of-campus, latest generation wireless network with safe high-speed internet access. Teaching areas have a combination of large screen and interactive displays with wireless laptop projection and the very best touchscreen Windows 11 computers, enabling teachers to make use of digital inking and to circulate within the classroom while wirelessly projecting to the screen.
An iPad program operates in Prep to Year 2 and class sets of laptops are provided in Years 3. In 2026, Saint Stephen’s College introduced a 1:1 programme into Years 4 and 5. A Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) program currently operates for students from Years 6 to 12, however will be transitioned to the 1:1 model incrementally in coming years. There are also three desktop computer laboratories providing more powerful computers for high intensity subjects. Our future-focused education philosophy also incorporates emerging technologies such as Augmented and Virtual Reality, 3D Printing and Robotics.
Student Devices
Saint Stephen’s College is committed to providing a consistent, secure, and future-focused digital learning environment for all students.
This year the College has implemented a different notebook model in Years 4 and 5 to enhance the learning experience for students, parents and staff through the College providing access to an individual notebook computer for each student (including insurance and accessories) the cost of which is included in fees rather than as an upfront purchase cost for parents. The trial has been beneficial in:
- Ensuring all students have access to the same high-quality, fit-for- purpose notebook that meets College technical and educational requirements.
- Reducing the upfront purchase costs and offering a predictable, manageable cost for families, with devices funded through a consolidated annual resource fee that includes insurance and support.
- Addressing equity and inclusion by fixing the price and removing the performance gap between high-end and underpowered devices.
- Enabling a centralised device management, allowing consistent software deployment, system updates, security patches, and real-time technical support.
- Providing a stable digital learning environment that reduces classroom disruptions and enables enhanced use of digital inking and interactive learning.
- Enhancing the College’s cybersecurity posture, with content filtering, antivirus, and secure settings enforced across all devices.
- Supporting the home and school partnership through removing the burden of procurement and technical maintenance / repair and risk from families.
In 2027, the programme will be extended to include Years 7 and 10. The view of the College is that the accepted life expectancy of a notebook computer in a school environment is 3 years. Thus the introduction of new devices will occur in years 4, 7 and 10 and the student will use that device for the next 3 years. It is envisaged that the programme will be fully rolled out for Years 4 -12 by 2029.
Students who are not in a cohort covered by the 1:1 programme will remain under the BYOD programme.
Families are given the opportunity to purchase through the College HP Direct Portal at https://www.hp.com/au-en/shop/byod-store? (School Code: SSC), or independently if preferred. Parents can check suitability of devices if they wish by contacting the IT team at the College.
We highly recommend that parents purchase 3 years of warranty and 3 years of accidental damage insurance with all new devices.
Saint Stephen’s College uses a Windows 11 laptop environment with an emphasis on pen based devices and digital ink. Devices running alternative operating systems will not be connected to the BYOD programme. The College has educational licensing for Microsoft Office, which is free for all students to download.
The download and installation of this software is done at the College under the supervision of the IT Department and classroom teachers and students are expected to update their device when prompted. New students will be guided through the setup of a new laptop when they commence at the College. The College works closely with parents to support students in developing safe online behaviours. We encourage students to build a positive digital image and ensure they are responsible digital citizens.
