1to1 Program and other ICT information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Please read carefully

We’ve updated our Apple MacBook 1-to-1 Program to offer more flexibility for families.  During 2026, once again students in Grade 2 can join the program. Additionally, Year 2/3 will remain transitional years to a MacBook, with the school providing older shared iPad's/MacBook's for students who don't have their own device initially. Additional changes may be phased in over the next couple of years.

With their own personal device, students no longer need to share classroom iPads or MacBooks, and can continue learning while at home. These devices also enable students to engage with lessons through voice, video, and photos, helping even quieter students express themselves more easily. Year 2 (especially from the middle of their school year) is considered transitional, as our National testing platforms like NAPLAN begin from the start of Year 3.  Experience with using a device before the national tests begin, may be considered important for some families with students in Years 2 and 3.

Parents will need to determine when their child is ready for a device. We request that you prepare to source either a used or new Apple MacBook by the time your child enters Year 4. We encourage using this two year period (during your child's Year 2-3 time) where you can research, learn about their child's needs and abilities, and decide whether or not you feel your child is ready to participate wihin our 1to1 Program. Grades 2 and 3 serve as a transition period, where students move from school managed iPads to MacBooks (used or new), which can offer more features such as physical keyboard, larger screen, access to more AppeStore and third party apps, ability to work better on more complex online learning platforms, will have more ports, and offer increased storage (amongst other things). By Year 4, students should have their own MacBook, as iPads will no longer be allowed from that point onward.

Whilst parents are best placed to decide when their child is ready to use their own 1to1 device (within our specific school environment), we are asking for your help in supporting the school by looking into having your child’s own USED or new Apple Apple MacBook by Year 4.  During this time, you should monitor if your child is ready for their own MacBook and plan accordingly. Many families choose to join early, but by Year 4, your child should have their own MacBook (new or used), as personal or school iPads won’t be allowed from Year 4 onward. Participation in the 1to1 Program is optional, but preferred. Families should carefully consider what’s best for their budget, child’s needs, and readiness.

REQUEST ACCESS TO OUR EDUCATION PORTAL AND RECEIVE AN ACCESS CODE:

Please include your name, contact, and childs name within the email:  1to1@seabrook.vic.edu.au 

Conditions of entry for our 1to1 Program

Due to relatively new government mandated rules, Seabrook Primary School can no longer offer tax-free device leasing or payments directly. You can still buy a new MacBook through our Apple-authorized education reseller, but the price now includes GST. Alternatively, you can bring your own new or used Apple device: MacBook (2020 or newer) for Years 2-6. Please ensure the device is in full working order, backed up, and signed out of iCloud before bringing it to school for setup, as it will be erased and reconfigured. The school is not responsible for any data loss or device repairs if the device is not in working order.

Apple MacBook’s – Conditions of entry into our MacBook 1to1 Program

• ANY Apple MacBook (new or used) being brought into the school to be part of our MacBook 1to1 Program WILL be factory reset/erased before it can be setup for your child to use. ALL files, apps, and photos currently stored on the MacBook will be deleted. You MUST backup any required files, and sign out of the iCloud or Apple ID before sending it in.  Please DO NOT pre-setup the device. This condition is mandatory.
• Used Apple MacBooks are recommended to come with at least 128Gb SSD storage capacity and not less than 8Gb of RAM, preferably no older than 2020. A 2020 Apple "M-Series" MacBook (sometimes called Apple Silicon or M1) may be supported for longer by Apple than an Intel variant of the same age. Anything older that is already being used by another child within the school may still be allowed. But if buying used, older than 2020 (for your first child), contact us first.
• For safety and logistical reasons, Apple MacBooks MUST come to school fully charged each day, and chargers left at home.
• Some aspects of the Apple MacBook will be locked down to ensure students are kept as safe as possible.  Many of these restrictions may also affect parent/other users too.
• Families are responsible for all home supervision and responsible handling of their childs Apple MacBook. Any repairs caused by accidental damage should be followed up, ensuring the device is kept in full working order. If your child’s device is covered by AppleCare PLUS (highly recommended), then we can coordinate any Warranty or AppleCare insurance repairs for you. There are now two AppleCare PLUS plans available for NEW Apple MacBook’s – 3 Year and Annual. Please investigate one of these extended Warranty and Insurance protection plans.
• Seabrook Primary School reserves the right to manage all aspects of any Apple MacBook while it is being used within our school as a MacBook 1to1 device (this condition is mandatory). If this condition can’t be met, then this program is not available for your child, and a "shared" classroom device will be made available.

Other things to consider:

• An Apple MacBook cover to suit your chosen model is highly recommended.
• Brand new or near new Apple MacBook’s don’t have to be the top of the line. Entry level MacBook Airs are more than suited for school use. Rumors from the Apple News sites point to a possible new "basic" cheaper Apple MacBook device being released soon. However, we often receive requests for larger capacity or Apple MacBook Pro models be accepted and understand if families are planning long term for its future use, then we will accept these higher end Apple MacBooks. Perhaps consider adding these expensive devices to your Home and Contents Insurance.
• To prevent the accidental breakage of headphone jacks inside the Apple MacBook earphone port, Bluetooth earphones are considered a much preferred optional extra, over corded versions. Please ensure names are clearly printed on these.
• If your child is going to be new to our school, going into Year 2 or 3, then please take the time to do some research and check your child's ability first. You might consider your childs advancement into our Apple MacBook 1to1 Program from Year 3, or 4 instead. Some parents even opt their child into the program part way during the Year 4 year, which is also fine.
  • Year 2 in 2026 - BYO MacBook if your child is ready (not iPad), or they share a school device instead
  • Year 3 in 2026 - BYO MacBook only (no iPad's), or use a shared classroom Apple MacBook instead

REQUEST ACCESS TO OUR EDUCATION PORTAL AND RECEIVE AN ACCESS CODE:

Please include your name, contact, and childs name within the email:  1to1@seabrook.vic.edu.au 

Used Apple MacBook Air's in excellent working order, manufactured around 2020 can be priced from $400 and represents the best value for money (if in perfect working order, with a healthy battery).  You don't need a brand-new device to enable your child to participate successfully within our MacBook 1to1 Program.  Apple MacBook's if looked after can perform well in primary and secondary schools for many years, and often get passed down to younger siblings. They're durable, light weight, fast, relatively secure, APP friendly, and perfectly suited to schools.  We can now even allocate many iPad APPs onto "M Series" MacBooks if required. Many of our current (and exited) students are still using older devices purchased new eight to ten years ago, a couple even longer. Our Year 6 families leaving Seabrook Primary School at the end of the year, sometimes want to on-sell their child's device. If you know of any family leaving, they may be interested in selling their child's device to you (preferably 2020 or newer). If buying used, check that the keys are working/pressing down properly (not feeling crunchy) or loose, that the hinge is tight and the screen doesn't fall backwards if opened upright, and that there is no visible damage to the charger cord or external ports on the side of the device. You should NOT hear a loud fan (whooshing) noise if turned on. If required, the school ICT department may be able to check over any device prior to purchase, but can't necessarily check battery or internal condition (without permission from the seller prior). 

When you supply a device for your child to use, you must:

• Back up any required files and photos (to an external device or location first)

• Sign out of iCloud (if signed in, very important)

• Remove (or supply us temproarly with) any login passwords/passcodes

• Provide your contact details

All devices will be wiped, updated, and set up for school use. Once this is done, any existing files will be permanently lost, so please make sure you save anything important elsewhere first. Any required documents and files need to be moved from the device onto a suitable external location.

BYO devices (MacBook's) can be dropped off at the front office any time during the year. Please leave a note with the device including your contact details, your child’s name, and classroom.  BYO devices (new or used) are for your child’s personal use at Seabrook Primary School. These devices will have some restrictions to keep students safe and to meet school and Department policies. This setup is mandatory for all student devices brought from home to use as a school BYO device.

When your child leaves Seabrook:

If your child is leaving the school, their iPad or MacBook must be returned to Seabrook Primary for a factory reset and removal from our systems. Do not reset it yourself, as it may still be locked with school settings once re-connected to the internet.

We will:

• Remove all school restrictions and admin settings

• Erase all data (everything on it will go)

• Reinstall a fresh version of the operating system

The device will then be returned to you, no longer linked to Seabrook, and ready for personal use—just like a new device from Apple.

Families are responsible for backing up any required files and photos, online documents, signing out of iCloud/or Apple ID (if signed in), and handing the device to the school for factory resetting and removal from our systems before leaving Seabrook Primary School.  Any device NOT returned before leaving, will need to be returned to the school at your own cost.  We need 1-2 days with the device before your child's last day.

Ongoing file and data backup

It is the responsibility of your child(ren) and yourself to ensure all required documents, files, pictures, Minecraft EDU worlds etc. are backed up regularly.  A portable USB or Hard Drive (for a MacBook) is an option to backup important files onto. The school and staff take no responsibility for any file loss while your child is using an Apple MacBook for school use while at Seabrook Primary School.  Although rare, it is possible that your child may present to the ICT Department with a software issue where files can't be backed up, and the system needs to be restored.  In this rare situation files will be lost, demonstrating the importance of backing up regularly, especially important files or family pictures. This important information is regularly communicated by classroom teachers, online, in our newsletter, and by ICT staff.  Please be clear that you and your child(ren) must take reasonable steps to backup important data and family pictures yourself.  That being said, school devices aren't recommended to store family photos or videos of family events and holidays on.  

Pricing and purchase of EDUcation MacBook's and iPad’s can be done through our Apple Authorised Online Education Portal, however an access code is required before you can log in and submit your order.  An access code is required to prove your child's eligibility.  You can obtain both the EDUcation Portal web link and an access code by contacting the front office, or emailing us directly at: 1to1@seabrook.vic.edu.au 

Of course, purchasing of NEW device can also be done at any authorised Apple retailer.  Sale events can be a good time to source one of these, however please be extremely careful if offered extended insurance or warranty products.  We have heard a number of families who have paid for these questionable third party insurance products, and have had their insurance declined or discontinued (some from overseas insurance agencies), making for a MacBook that could not be repaired or replaced.  A costly experience by those who have had their insurance repair refused because of cheap or dodgy extended insurance products.  The government recently changed the law to ensure that "add on insurance products" can't be sold to you at time of sale, but should only be offered for sale, and sold from four days after the original purchase.  This is for all products, not just Apple computers or iPad's.

If buying an Apple MacBook online through any marketplace, online auction site, or in person at a country market or trash and treasure, please do your research carefully.  A portion of sellers on these platforms will often sell faulty, stolen, or locked devices, tricking you into something that is unusable and expensive.  Look for excellent sales ratings and seller history, know the average price for the model and specifications you're interested in before making contact, and if anything looks or sounds odd, leave it.  Never buy from a online marketplace seller who has a poor seller rating, has had very few sales, provides blurry or limited pictures, or has a profile or sales advert that appears very low on detail.  If the price appears really cheap, and too good to be true, then it probably is, walk away and don't buy it.....

Warranties and Insurance

This information is about factory Warranties and Insurance that may be “offered” when you buy a NEW Apple device.

What is the difference between WARRANTY and INSURANCE?

Factory warranty is where a new device receives free support (repairs/replacement), if in the unfortunate event it may unexpectedly fail. Warranty is for failure of a product, NOT accidental damage caused to the product. A drop or liquid spill is NOT a warranty claim, this is accidental damage.  Base warranties or Consumer Law DO NOT cover you for accidental damage.

Apple products purchased NEW (within Australia) come standard with a one year factory base warranty, however this can be extended and converted to a premium package by purchasing “AppleCare PLUS”.  AppleCare PLUS includes unlimited free support for 3 years (or longer) for an Apple MacBook or 2 years on an Apple iPad, where your new device may stop working or if the battery fails, and also adds insurance for acidental damage (subject to an insurance excess fee for any damage claimed).

Insurance is protection against accidental damage that may happen while using the device. Insurance can come in a few different forms; via your home contents insurance (if you have it), 3rd party - through a retail shop (but caution is advised when accepting some retail extended insurance products), or directly with Apple (or our Education supplier) as AppleCare PLUS. 

AppleCare PLUS (purchased with Apple) is highly recommended if buying brand new, and is our first preference. AppleCare PLUS does NOT normally cover you against theft or loss, ONLY accidental damage and product or battery failures.

The school will try and coordinate any Warranty or AppleCare PLUS claims for you.  Please make contact if required.

AppleCare PLUS, what exactly is it?

AppleCare PLUS is a safe insurance product provided by Apple (the manufacturer of these devices) which allows unlimited claims from within Australia (and many other countries, but not all). For MacBook's it covers for accidental damage or warranty repairs for 3 years (or longer) when buying new from Apple, 2 years for iPad's. However, like with any insurance product, an excess fee is required at time of lodging any accidental damage claim (free for any warranty issue). AppleCare PLUS does NOT cover for loss or theft.

The standard base warranty in Australia (for any new device purchased) is normally one year, and NO protection against accidental damage. Consumer law "may" extend a factory warranty for another one year for general home use, but again, NOT for accidental damage. AppleCare PLUS (if optioned) gives both warranty and accidental damage coverage for up to 3 full years (or longer) on MacBooks, and 2 years for iPads, from the date of purchase.

The most common issue at our school has been from parents spilling their own coffees onto their childs MacBooks while at home, or the occasional screen break/drop. Without AppleCare PLUS a MacBook screen replacement can cost in excess of $750, and liquid spills can be more than the cost of a new device. With the activation of AppleCare PLUS, your insurance excess fee will be reduced to $149 for all external damage, including screen breaks, keyboard damage, or drops. Whereas anything damaged internally (like caused by a liquid spill) will be a $429 maximum (per claim). 

Current fee structures for AppleCare PLUS are detailed below for both iPads and MacBooks.  Prices relevant to the time of publication and may change at any time.

Warranty and AppleCare PLUS summary - iPad's

Warranty and AppleCare PLUS summary - MacBook's

PLEASE ALSO NOTE

Any MacBook's purchased using our Online Education reseller, or brought in as a BYOM device (new or used) will be managed and configured only by the school. Due to software/management licensing requirements, this condition is mandatory. Your child cannot participate within our 1to1 Program if this condition cannot be met.

If your child does not participate in the 1to1 Program, then a shared classroom device will be loaned to your child(ren) for use during school times only. School allocated/shared devices cannot be taken home. School owned devices may need to be shared with up to one other child (1 device between 2 students). 

Any damage caused to a school leased "classroom device" by means of inappropriate behavior or use, may be requested that the childs parent pay for its repair.

It is not compulsory for children to participate in our MacBook 1to1 Program. Families need to assess their own situations and decide if obtaining a device at this time is both affordable and appropriate to your family and child needs. We recommend students try and have their own Apple MacBook (new or used) by the time they're in Year 3 or 4, otherwise a classroom device should be made available to them if they can't. If classroom (school owned/leased) devices are in short supply, then your child may need to share with up to one other child within the class.

Families may choose to opt into the MacBook 1to1 Program at any time. If you choose to purchase a new device at the start of any year, and decide to include AppleCare Plus (which we strongly recommend), then any AppleCare PLUS warranty is with Apple and you, and remains active until the AppleCare PLUS period ends, no matter where the device resides within Australia.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Please email us here: 1to1@seabrook.vic.edu.au

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