(Repeat)

Hello everyone,

It is hard to believe we are over the halfway point of the term. Recently, the State Government announced changes to the way schools can operate their BYOD programs. This will come into effect from 2027. Next year, our Grade 3 students (2025 Grade 2s) will be the last cohort with the opportunity to access the BYOD program. They will have access to the BYOD program through to Grade 6.

Our new model from 2027 will see a shared iPad model in Grade 3/4 and a 1:1 model in 5/6. A full overview was sent out to families in recent weeks.

Information has been sent to current Grade 2 families on the BYOD program for 2026 and beyond. As always, thank you for your support with the changes coming.

Families will still have access to the JB Hi-Fi Education platform to purchase selected iPads and accessories at a discounted price.

Link to JB Hi-Fi (School Code: WilliamstownPS2026)

Speaking of changes, coming up on December 10, new laws will be introduced around the age limit for young people to access online platforms. We know as a school community, many of our students are accessing a variety of online platforms, and there have been some questions around what the new ban means and how it will work.

Below is a link to the eSafety Commissioner website, which explains the upcoming social media age restrictions in Australia and what they mean for children, families, educators and industry. It offers sections with helpful resources and conversation starters for young people under 16, parents and carers, and schools, along with webinars and FAQs. There is also information on which social media platforms currently meet the age-restriction criteria, how the legislation and regulatory guidance work, and how young people’s rights are being upheld. The key message is that these changes are not a ban, but a delay in under-16s being able to create or keep accounts on age-restricted platforms to better protect their wellbeing online.

Link to the eSafety age restrictions hub

In our upcoming eSafety lessons for Term 4, we will also discuss age restrictions with our students and inform them of the changes.

Warm regards,

Steven Puhar

Apps List 2025

WPS Digital Online Learning Statement

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 2025/2026

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:

Team Kids