The St Helena IT Department is here to service the needs of the College. Led by IT Manager, Jamie Myers, the IT Department is accessible to students via the IT Help Desk located in the Resource Centre, where technicians are available on site daily.
We are also fortunate enough to have a representative from Learning With Technology (LWT – our recommended partner for student device purchases) who is available on-site for hardware repairs to student devices purchased through LWT.
Our minimum device requirements, order portals, and other useful information can be found via the links below.
F.A.Q
You have questions. We have answers.
We appreciate that getting a computing device can be a daunting process and is a significant investment. Below are the answers to some of the most common questions families ask about the St Helena Laptop Program. You can also refer to the “1-1 Laptop Program Handbook” below for detailed information.
What sort of device will my student need?
At St Helena our IT infrastructure is based around supporting Microsoft Windows devices. Unfortunately this means we can not support Apple devices as they will not be compatible with our infrastructure, and would require significantly more resources to support both platforms within the school. We also can not support other types of devices such as Chromebooks or iPads for use in the classroom.
We use tablet capabilities in the classroom in every year level. This means that that students need a device that has a touch screen and active stylus/pen. (There are more details specifications below).
More information about how they are used can be found in Digital Learning
Where can I get a device for my student?
St Helena has partnered with Learning With Technologies who are an education specialised provider with over 20 years servicing the education market in Australia. LWT service over 350 schools across Australia and are recognised as one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive education technology providers.
The college has selected some specific devices that we believe are best suited for use in the classroom at St Helena, given our IT setup and infrastructure. We have negotiated with LWT to achieve the best possible pricing for the devices and the bundled warranty and insurance upgrades. We have also negotiated financing options to make purchasing the device easier (Including a 12 months interest free finance option). These devices include a default of 3 years on-campus warranty, and 3 years Accidental Damage Protection insurance. All devices purchased through LWT are able to have any warranty and insurance claims processed on campus, with minimum fuss and disruption to families and students. We have an LWT hardware technician on campus to support these devices and perform any repairs that may be required. See link above for the order portal
You are welcome to source a device from another retailer, however it will need to meet the minimum requirements (Listed Below) to be able to be connected to the school network. If your source a device from a provider other than LWT we can not provide any hardware support. Any warranty claims will need to be taken up with the retailer. If you are considering purchasing a device from another retailer it is strongly suggested you email our IT Helpdesk (ithelp@sthelena.vic.edu.au) with the details of the device you are considering to confirm it is suitable and a good deal.
All devices, regardless of their source will have the School Windows Image applied to them to enable them to connect to the school network. More details about the School Windows Image below.
What are the minimum hardware requirements?
- Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 – Natively (Not 10s, or an Apple running Windows)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 – 8 th Gen or better, or AMD Ryzen 5
- Display: 11” FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution screen, supporting multi-touch and active stylus input (maximum size of 16”)
- Memory: 8GB (16GB recommended)
- Wireless: At least g/n Wireless(2.4/5.0 GHz)
- Storage: At least 256 GB Solid State Drive
- At least 7 hours battery (Note that advertised battery life is generally only achievable in lab conditions. Real life experience will be somewhat less, and variable based on what the device is used for that day.)
- Please Note: Machines that do not meet the minimum technical requirements are not accepted at the College and will not be connected on the network. Strictly No Apple laptops allowed on School Network.
What is the School Windows Image?
The School Windows Image is a complete copy of Microsoft WIndows for Education, preconfigured and tested to work with the school’s IT infrastructure. This image has all the software required by students pre-installed and ready to use. The image contains the following software packages:
- Microsoft Office 365 (Licensing is provided through the school)
- Adobe Creative Cloud – access to most Adobe software is provided through the school and Department of Education
- Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers
- Microsoft Defender anti-virus and anti-malware. Any detections are automatically reported back to the school’s IT team to assist the student in resolving issues
- Microsoft Software Centre (A software deployment tool)
- Specific management agents for reporting hardware problems and updating firmware.
Students do not have local admin access in the School Windows Image, and so do not have access to install software that is not listed in Software Centre. A number of approved software packages that may be used in the classroom are made available for students to install via Software Centre. If a student requires a software package for classwork then they can speak to their teacher to request that the software be installed on their laptop. If a student of family would like a software package installed that is not associated with classwork then we ask that the family/guardian fill out the “Family Request For Additional Software Install” form above, signed by their parents/guardians and bring the form to the IT Helpdesk and we would be happy to facilitate the install.
How does my student get support for their device?
The IT Helpdesk is available to students and families from 8am to 4pm each school day. You can email the helpdesk at ithelp@sthelena.vic.edu.au or call on 9438 8510.
We are happy to support any issues a student may have with their device, and suggest that in most cases the best thing for a student to do is to come to the helpdesk with their device (if the issue is related to charging then they should bring their charger as well). Students should come the the helpdesk before school, during recess, lunch time, or after school unless the issue is preventing them from doing their classwork. If they need to come during class time then they should go to class and speak to their teacher first.
Where can I get more information about Cybersafety Issues
Cybersafety in schools is essential to ensure that children can explore and benefit from the digital world without falling victim to online dangers like cyberbullying, scams, and harmful content. For parents, understanding these risks and fostering safe online habits at home is a vital part of protecting children in today’s interconnected world. The St Helena Online Safety Hub provides parents with practical tools, resources, and guidance to help their children navigate the digital space responsibly and confidently. By working together, schools and families can create a safer online environment for all students.
We are more than happy to discuss any questions or concerns parents or guardians may have about a students device of use of technology in general.
We are here to support the students and their families, please feel free to contact us if you have questions.