INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
STUDENT ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (FOR PARENT REFERENCE)

Purpose
Frensham recognises that electronic information and communication skills are now required as essential knowledge for members of our society and as future employees. The electronic communication and information resources of Frensham are made available to enhance the educational experiences of students and to provide staff with the tools necessary to implement and enhance the school’s education programme.

Electronic communication systems include Internet, Intranet, email and related applications. The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines on the use of these resources.

Access
Frensham provides access to information and communication technology resources for students to conduct research and communicate with others. Access to the information environment at Frensham is a privilege and must be treated responsibly as such by all users of these systems.

Frensham teachers and students recognise the publication of personal information on websites such as Facebook and My Space can pose serious risks. Students and Staff are encouraged to be vigilant about safety and reputable character.

Students’ laptops can be configured to the school network so that students can access files and printers.

Acceptable Use
Frensham actively promotes access by students to a wide variety of information resources to enable them to:
• become effective and safe users of the Internet and other communication tools;
• develop appropriate skills in analysis and evaluation of information;
• become motivated, responsible and independent learners.

Acceptable use of Frensham’s information technology resources is based on common sense, decency and the legal responsibilities applied to the networked computing environment.

Unacceptable Use
Unacceptable uses include the following:
• sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures. (This includes information that is racist, sexist, obscene, irreligious or contains abusive language);
• harassing, insulting or attacking others;
• using others’ passwords;
• trespassing in others’ folders, work or files;
• using the network to disrupt its use by others;
• disrespect of others’ privacy and intellectual property;
• damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks (eg. by the introduction of computer viruses, physical abuse of hardware, alteration of source codes or software settings etc);
• violating copyright laws. (The legal rights of software producers, network providers, copyright holders and licence agreements must be honoured);
• intentionally wasting resources, eg. excessive downloads, unnecessary printing etc;
• employing the network for commercial purposes or activities by for-profit institutions or organisations, product advertisement or political lobbying.
• Downloading of applications such as computer games and careless storage of files.

Monitoring
Student use of the school ICT network and student-owned laptops will be monitored.

Use of student-owned laptops whilst at school
The use of these computers at school should be primarily as an educational resource. The following regulations are designed to maintain this focus without infringing on legitimate personal usage:
• Computer games may not be downloaded via the network nor played across the network at any time;
• MP3 files and applications not explicitly required for academic work may not be downloaded from the network without prior written permission;
• Inappropriate and offensive material may not be downloaded;
• No applications may be distributed via the school’s network unless prior written permission has been obtained;
• Recreational games, movies and music may not be played on any computer during class times, study periods or tutor group meetings and headphones are not to be used during these times.

Sanctions
Sanctions for abuse of these privileges will be a matter for standard school disciplinary procedures and/or legal action.

Sanctions may also include:
• the withdrawal of the right to use the school’s electronic information systems;
• an instruction from a teacher or teaching assistant to stop using a computer (including a student-owned laptop);
• the temporary removal and/or inspection of a student-owned laptop;
• the removal of inappropriate material from the memory of a student-owned laptop.