Digital Learning

Hi WPS families,

As we start planning and preparing for 2025, please read the information below regarding our school’s digital learning program, in particular our 2025 Grade 3 families.

We encourage families with any questions about this program requirements to contact the school. 

In transitioning to Grade Three at Williamstown Primary, students move from a 1:3 school-supplied iPad model in the junior years, to a 1:1 BYOD model. We believe this increase in access creates stronger opportunities for students to develop their skills and understandings as safe and effective users of digital technology, as they engage with the mandated Victorian F-10 Curriculum for Digital Technologies.

Students in Years 3 – 6 are invited and strongly encouraged to bring an iPad from home to school. Students who do not bring an iPad from home will still have access to an iPad. Technology is well embedded in all things the students undertake as a focus of differentiation and personalisation.

Students look to make creative design decisions based on the tools at their fingertips. Teachers create the scope for students to individualise their learning while holding traditional skills and values at heart. 

The use of technology gradually increases from Grades 3/4 to 5/6. If a student does not provide their own device, Williamstown Primary School will ensure the student has free and equitable access to what is needed to access the school’s delivery of the Curriculum.

A link for the required apps can be found here  https://www.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/williamstown_primary_school__ipad_app_list_2025.pdf

In Grade Three, students will be onboarded to the Department of Education’s licenced ‘Google for Education’ platform as part of their regular classroom programs.

We consider this platform an essential learning tool for our students, enabling the creation and storage of student digital work portfolios and providing a range of digital tools that promote collaboration, feedback and creativity.

Details about the Google for Education platform can be found on our website and via the following link:  https://www.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/gwfe_information_for_parents_and_carers_guide_1.pdf

All additional information and documentation regarding our school’s digital learning approach can be found on the Digital Learning page of the Williamstown PS website  https://www.williamstownps.vic.edu.au/page/38/Digital-Learning

Personal devices at Williamstown Primary School

To support the school's BYOD program we have made special arrangements with JB HI-FI who offer discounted prices for the purchase of devices for our students.

The link below can also be found on the school’s website and newsletter.

https://byod.jbhifi.education/

Passcode WilliamstownPS2025

Technical specifications for BYOD devices

To ensure smooth and reliable technology access and student support, we have set the following technical specifications for all personal devices. If purchasing or supplying a personal device to use at Williamstown Primary School, please ensure that it complies with the following specifications:

• Apple iPad

• Any iPad that can run iOs 14 or above

Required device features:

• iPad 10th Gen 64GB Wi-Fi

• iPad 9th Gen 64GB Wi-Fi

• Any iPad that can run iOs 14 or above

• Safety case

• No cracked screen or cracked screen protectors

Highly recommended device features:

• Screen protection

• Insurance – Apple Care

• USB-C or 3.5mm headphone jacks

• Bluetooth headphones for iPads with USB-C

Behavioural Expectations – Personal devices [in addition to the behavioural expectations below]

When bringing a personal device to schools, students must ensure that:

  • it is fully charged each morning

  • it is carried to school with appropriate care in a carry case and stored in lockable storage when not in use

  • any physical device damage is immediately reported and if necessary, repaired

  • it is clearly labelled with the student’s name and class

Supports and services provided

Williamstown Primary School will provide the following technical support services for personal devices brought to school:

  • Support to access software Google Workspace for Education

  • Connecting devices to the internet

  • Providing student log-in credentials to access the schools network,

  • Termly eSafety lessons (Yr 3-6)

Please note that our school does not have insurance to cover accidental damage to students’ devices, and parents/carers are encouraged to consider obtaining their own insurance for their child’s device. Taking out Apple Care when purchasing an item can help minimise issues if an iPad is damaged.

Students, parents and carers who would like more information or assistance regarding our BYOD program are encouraged to contact Steven Puhar 9397 1248.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the school’s digital learning program or documentation, please contact Steven Puhar (Head of Curriculum & Digital Learning) on 9397 1248 or steven.puhar@education.vic.gov.au

Regards,

Steven Puhar

Leading Teacher - Curriculum Leader

Apps List 2025

Digital Statement

Williamstown Primary School acknowledges the recent Human Rights Watch report on Edutech in privacy violations and findings. 

Williamstown Primary works closely with the DET’s Digital Learning and privacy teams to ensure that all DET guidelines regarding the implementation of digital devices are followed.

Attached is the school’s digital statement outlining the online platforms and their privacy policies that the school uses on a day-to-day basis. 

As part of the school’s ongoing student education, the school will further enhance key understandings around user privacy, as well as the tools available on selected devices.

This will be embedded within the current school’s eSafety program that currently sees students undertake numerous digital workshops run by both school leadership, classroom teachers and external providers such as the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s eSmart organisation.

Parents are advised of a key iPad feature to turn tracking off. This feature will be explicitly demonstrated to students within the school-based workshops.

Go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking.

The list shows the apps that requested permission to track you. You can turn permission on or off for any app on the list.

To stop all apps from asking permission to track you, turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track (at the top of the screen).

Williamstown Primary Digital Information

Below is a link to the schools Digital Learning page. This page contains key information about the school's implementation of the digital technology curriculum as a tool within a blended learning environment.

JB HiFi Digital Purchase Portal 2024/2025

The JB HiFi purchase portal is again available for Willy PS families. The schools recommended minimum specification device is the iPad Gen 9, but the portal does also offer a range of iPad models and accessories. Although students have access to bluetooth keyboards we also recommend the Smart Keyboard or a 3rd party keyboard incorporated within the cover. This accessory will add value to the users experience.

Please also note the change in School Code.

Although the portal is set up through JB HI-FI on behalf of the school, we encourage families to explore all purchase options.

Further GoogleSuite for Education Information 

Please find attached documents released by DET.

The first document gives a deeper understanding of the DET licences G Suite for Education, how it is set up and how it differs from the public Google platform.

The second document provides families with supporting resources on how to protect individuals privacy online.

The Department of Education information pack for parents is available from the following link: