Student Laptop Program
All students in Years 7–12 at The Essington School are required to use a dedicated laptop and bring it to school each day, fully charged for learning. Teaching and assessment across these year levels is designed around consistent access to a student laptop, with classwork, homework, digital textbooks, online platforms and learning resources delivered in digital formats.
A laptop program is essential to supporting the Australian Curriculum (ACARA v9), where ICT capability is embedded across all learning areas. Regular access to a laptop enables students to develop key skills to create, manage, communicate and investigate information, as well as solve problems using contemporary digital tools.
Consistent access to technology supports student-centred and independent learning, increases engagement and motivation, and allows students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of formats. Digital learning environments also expand classroom resources, support the use of digital textbooks and rich learning platforms, and connect seamlessly with the Essington Connect learning portal.
Laptop Provision Options for 2027
Student laptops are provided through one of two approved methods, depending on the student’s year level:
School-Managed Laptop Program: Years 7–9
Participation in the School-Managed Laptop Program is mandatory for all students in Years 7–9 in 2027. Introduced for Year 7 students in 2026 and endorsed and approved by the School Board, the program provides equitable, reliable and safe digital access for students.
The school owns and centrally manages all devices, providing each student with a standardised laptop that includes required software, a protective case, warranty and accidental damage protection, and school-managed security measures that support student safety online. Technical support and loan devices are available should issues arise. Families do not need to purchase a laptop independently.
Bring Your Own Device: Years 10–12
The Bring Your Own Device program continues for students in Years 10–12. Families may supply an existing or new laptop that meets the school’s minimum technical requirements. Parents are responsible for purchasing, maintaining and repairing the device.
2027 Technology Levy
Participation in the School-Managed Laptop Program is supported through an annual Technology Levy of $720 per student, invoiced in 10 instalments of $72 over the academic year. Parents may also elect to pay the full amount with their first statement in February.
The levy includes use of a student laptop, warranty cover including accidental damage protection, software licenses, a protective case and access to loan devices should technical issues arise. In addition to the annual levy, families will only be responsible for costs associated with misuse or malicious damage.
The increase from 2026 reflects higher quoted costs across the school’s laptop pool, with prices affected by market pressure on memory and storage components, driven in part by demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
Details of the program are available HERE.