We embrace emerging technologies to foster creativity, enable social learning, and provide students with safe technology access to enhance their learning autonomy.
St Michael’s has a rich history of leading technology use since our first computer lab in 1983 and notebook laptop device program in 1998. We embrace emerging technologies purposefully with a focus on enabling social learning experiences that nurture creativity and provide students with safe access to technologies to further enable agency in their learning.
All students Prep to Year 6 are issued a designated iPad with a keyboard case and apps are curated to scaffold their safe introduction to the use of technology for learning. Students learn how to use technologies to innovate and create within the context of their learning programs, as well as develop specific digital skills and capabilities.
For the duration of Years 7 to 9, students are issued a designated Microsoft Surface Pro package as part of our school supported learning device program. This provides a high-quality device with managed access to age-appropriate tools and comprehensive online learning platforms. With equitable and aligned opportunities, students develop digital skills, receive dynamic online feedback and collaborate safely within and beyond the classroom. Our ICT Helpdesk staff support technical issues onsite and if a device requires repair, an equipment exchange program ensures disruption to student learning and technology access is limited.
Students in Years 10 to 12 continue with the use of their designated device or may choose to bring their own device. Supported by a partner portal with educational pricing, families can select a model of device that meets their child’s learning requirements or aligns with subject selections.
All students have secure access to licenced software including the Microsoft 365 suite, Adobe Creative Cloud suite and various subject-specific tools.
As a community, we remain committed to collectively embedding a healthy culture of online safety within and beyond the school day. As an eSmart Membership school, we ensure students learn about and develop the skills to apply social and ethical protocols and practices when using learning technologies. Themes explicitly taught include managing their digital reputation, respect for intellectual property, personal data practices (as per our ICT Responsible Use Policy) as well as learning the importance of help-seeking behaviours and healthy online practices.
St Michael’s is a Microsoft Lighthouse School – recognised for ‘using Surface technology in innovative ways and displaying a truly future-focused commitment to teaching and learning.’
