Information
Information for parents
Our commitment to the responsible use of digital technology
At Quarry Hill Primary School, we are committed to building a culture of respect and responsibility. We show this in the way we use technology and interact online. We teach our students about responsible digital behaviours, including how to recognise and respond to online dangers and threats. We support students to develop the digital skills they need to make a positive impact in the world. We are intentional and discerning about our integration of digital tools into the curriculum, providing rich, interactive and personalised experiences, while ensuring a balance with offiine learning opportunities.
Further information about how we use digitial technology in our school, is outlined here.
How parents and carers can help
Learning about technology and its impacts doesn't stop at the school gate. Below are our suggestions for ways you can support your children to responsibly use digital technology.
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Establish clear routines • Talk to your child about expectations, including when, where, and how digital devices can be used at home, ensuring these rules are age-appropriate and consistent. These can include: o Requiring devices to be used in a common area, such as a living room or kitchen o Setting up a specific area for charging devices overnight, away from bedrooms, to promote better sleep hygiene. • Be present when your child is using digital devices, especially for younger children who may not yet understand online risks. |
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Restrict inappropriate content • Use built-in parental controls on devices and apps to help manage their device access and restrict inappropriate content, including apps and websites that are not suitable for their age group. • Consider restricting the use of non-educational apps and apps with addictive game mechanics (e.g. rewards, badges, limited exit options). |
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Talk about online safety • Talk with your child about the importance of protecting personal information and recognising online scams. • Encourage your child to talk to you or another trusted adult if they feel unsafe online. |
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Model responsible and balanced technology use • Encourage a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities, especially outdoor unstructured play and time with friends and family, face-to-face. * • Demonstrate responsible and balanced tech use in your own daily routine to set a good example for your child. |
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Work with us • Let your child's teacher know about concerns you have regarding their technology use • Keep informed about what your child is learning at school, so you can help reinforce positive messages at home. |
*Australia's physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines include the following recommendations for children between 5-17 years old regarding sedentary recreational screen time:
- no more than 2 hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day
- avoiding screen time 1 hour before sleep
- keeping screens out of the bedroom.
Source: Australia's physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines,
Support for parents and carers
To learn more about how to support the safe, intentional and responsible use of digital technologies at home, the eSafety Commissioner provides resources for parents and outlines available counselling and support services.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Overview - 2026 Transition
In 2026, Quarry Hill Primary School will continue to operate a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program; however, due to the changes outlined earlier in this document, parents/carers will not be asked to purchase or supply a device for their child.
The information below details the current BYOD expectations and specifications so that families understand the system we are transitioning away from during 2026. These expectations applied to previous years and will be phased out as QHPS moves towards a new school-managed device model.
Changes to digital device use
From 2027, the Victorian Government is introducing changes to the use of digital devices for students from Prep to Grade 6.
Under the new guidelines, schools:
- will no longer invite families to purchase or bring their own digital devices to use at school for Prep to Grade 6
- will follow new recommended digital device times, including minimal device time for Prep to Grade 2; and a maximum of 90 minutes per day for grades 3 to 6.
These changes are intended to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures. They will also support students by reducing screen-time which can reduce the risk of eye strain, sedentary behaviour, and reduced peer interaction. These reforms complement Victoria's nation-leading mobile phone restrictions, ensuring an integrated approach to addressing digital distraction and the inappropriate use of technology.
What this means for our school
From 2027 onwards, our school will cease the current Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program for students in Grades 3-6. In alignment with Department of Education guidelines, we will work towards providing a ratio of one device for every two students. These school-owned devices will be available for classroom learning as needed.
Students who have been using a personal device prior to 2027 may continue to bring it to school; however, the use of all digital devices will follow the new recommended device use times.
Students with disability who require a digital device as a reasonable adjustment are exempt from these changes.
These adjustments are designed to support families by reducing cost-of-living pressures and ensuring a balanced approach to technology use and screen time in the classroom.
You can read more about the changes on the department's website: Digital Learning: Policy
Current BYOD Information (Being Phased Out in 2026)
Technical Specifications for BYOD Devices
To ensure smooth and reliable technology access, the following specifications were previously required for personal
devices.
If supplying a device (for families who already have one), please ensure it complies with:
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Behavioural Expectations - Personal devices
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 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
Quarry Hill Primary School will provide the following technical support services for personal devices brought to school:
- Support to access software (Google Workspace)
- Connecting devices to the internet
- Providing student log-in credentials to access the schools network, including a school email account
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.
EQUITY AND BYOD
Quarry Hill Primary School will always ensure equitable access to technology.
For families not participating in BYOD, the school has provided shared devices for use during school hours (not 1:1, and not taken home).
This will continue in 2026 while the new device model is introduced.
MISUSE AND BREACHES OF THE BYOD POLICY
If a student is found to have misused their device on the school network, there are a range of sanctions that may apply, including but not limited to:
- Loss of some or all school network privileges for a period of time
- Removal of the computer by a staff The parent is to collect from the teacher.
- Suspension from school
- Reporting of a criminal offence by the school to the
Where there is reasonable cause to suspect that material contrary to this policy and the ethos of the school is being brought to school on the computer, the school has the right to impound the device and conduct a search for the material.
PARENT/CARERS' RESPONSIBILITIES
Parents/carers will need to supply the device for students to use during school hours.
It is recommended that parents/carers have access to the device and check the software, apps and other files saved on the computer to ensure that they are legal and ethical and suitable for school. Parents will be provided with the username and password to access their child's device at Start Up Day interviews.
Access to the Internet outside of school hours will be via the home internet account and at the cost of the parent/carer.
We recommend that parents/carers supervise their child whilst they are using the internet. Use of the device in an open area is recommended.
DEVICE IDENTIFICATION
Student devices will be labelled in a manner specified by the school. Devices can be identified by individualised serial numbers. These are recorded by the technician when the device is connected to the school system. We encourage parents/carers to ensure the device is adequately named.
What we expect
At QHPS, we have expectations for students when they are using digital technologies.
These are outline in our 'iPromise Statement'.
Students will review and sign this document termly as part of their COLE unit.
Support for students:
Thee-safety commissioner's eSafety kids page has helpful information to help you stay safe online.
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