St John’s College, Woodlawn has a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ or ‘BYOD’ program.
While an Apple MacBook Air 13.3” laptop is still the College’s preferred device. There is no longer a ‘specified’ device requirement; however, iPads and ChromeBooks have insufficient capabilities for our secondary curriculum and therefore a fully functioning laptop is the required minimum device.
- The minimum specifications we recommend for your device is: MacOs 11 or Windows 10 Operating System with 8GB (8-core CPU / 8-core GPU) or Core i5 processor.
- We recommend 8GB of memory, 256GB SDD Storage and a USB-C Power Adapter.
- Also recommended is an Intel based wireless adapter where possible, as we have seen incompatibility issues with other brands previously and the device will need to run on battery for the full school day.
Students are responsible for bringing a fully charged device to school and recharging their device at home each night.
Devices can be purchased from any supplier, and local suppliers that are able to assist you include: PowerMax, Harvey Norman and SchoolLocker. Online suppliers are also available eg: https://www.apple.com/au/macbook-air-m1/
Three (3) years AppleCare, or equivalent Warranty and three (3) years Accidental Damage and Theft Insurance are highly recommended.
The College recommends iBroker for the provision of Accidental Damage and Theft Insurance. Please visit iBroker for more information on how families can purchase this insurance for a new device.
The preferred device is: Apple MacBook Air 13.3"
A great deal of research and investigation has occurred over several years to determine which device would be specified. The conclusion was to retain the MacBook Air 13" device for the following benefits:
- Proven longevity of Apple laptops. With due care & appropriate usage, including regularly shutting down or restarting, the laptop can be used for the full 6 years of secondary school.
- MacBook Airs have no moving parts and therefore have less breakdowns and cope with being transported on buses and between classes, better prolonged with an additional protective case or cover.
- MacBook Airs are lightweight.
- Robust casing (improved further by a good case/cover).
- MacBook Air 13" have 4 batteries which generally, and when properly cared for, hold their charge for the full school day for many years.
- MacBook operating systems are updated via downloadable updates and therefore stay relevant throughout the 6 years of secondary school.
- MacBooks provide students access to specialist applications which are utilised in Years 7 and 8 Visual Arts as well as a range of specialist subjects and electives, eg Music, Digital Imaging, iStem etc.
- MacBooks ensure compatibility with existing and developing resources.
- The introduction of a 1 year Adobe Educational Licence for devices other than school owned, enables us to proceed with no other software purchases being required.
- A common device means no student is disadvantaged or singled out, and the age of Macbook Airs is not discernible.
