Computer Network Usage Agreement

DO

• Ask for assistance from technical staff if you believe that there is a problem with any of the computer or electrical equipment in school.
• Report all faults as soon as possible to your teacher or a technician
• Use ICT equipment responsibly and carefully.
• Regularly change your password and inform the Network Manager if you suspect that someone has been using your account.
• Keep your password secret.
• Log off the network at the end of each lesson.
• Save evidence of cyber bullying (see below).

 

DO NOT

• Tamper with any computer, or any electrical equipment.
• Attempt to access other users’ network space.
• Tell anyone your password.
• Allow other people to use your username and password.
• Play internet games or attempt to play internet games. This slows the network down for everyone and is un-acceptable.
• Download music.
• Download software.
• Download files.
• Install\attempt to install software on any school computer, (Desktop, Notebook, Laptop or Tablet PC).
• Access or attempt to access material of a pornographic or sexually explicit, racist, violent or extremist nature.
• Attempt to by-pass or circumvent any of the security or filtering systems installed on the network for the protection of all.
• Publish or attempt to publish hurtful or offensive material.
• Send threatening or offensive messages by email, including pictures, to anyone. This is CYBER BULLYING – deliberately setting out to upset another person through using modern technologies.
• Send email messages to more than one person unless instructed to do so by a member of staff.
• Use computers without adult supervision.
• Use printers unless told to by a member of staff.

 

More Information

The school computer network includes Desktop, Laptop\Notebook\Netbook and Tablet PCs, an e-mail system and internet connection, they are provided as a resource for education.

Other electronic teaching resources such as DVD, Video cassette players, TVs and Audio equipment are also provided.

All network and internet activity is monitored and logged and it is possible to produce reports for individual users, computers and printers. This information is used to assist the Network Manager in the deployment of equipment and resources. It may be used as evidence in disciplinary proceedings to prove inappropriate use of the network and\or school resources.

Internet access within school is filtered by Research Machines, the Network Manager also has the ability to block sites that are inappropriate or may interfere with the smooth operation of the network. Every effort is made to ensure a safe environment for our student; however it is not possible to filter every web site that may be inappropriate.

We believe that the benefits to pupils in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages; however we regard the use of ICT equipment as a privilege which will be removed if a student is found to have acted inappropriately.

Students are allocated printer credits. Extra credits can be allocated at the discretion of the school.

 

The following sanctions can be applied:

1. Physical damage to equipment – Parents will be asked to reimburse the school.

2. Abuse of email system, including sending of abusive or threatening messages – Removal of email access for half a term (6 weeks). School will encourage the family of the victim/s to involve the police, who take cyber bullying very seriously indeed. They will prosecute.

Repeat offences – May led to permanent removal of network access

3. Abuse of internet, including accessing or attempting to access inappropriate material – Removal of internet access for half a term (6 weeks).

Repeat offences – Permanent removal of privilege

Serious abuse of the rules around Network use may also result in further punishment under the school Code of Discipline. The school reserves the right to vary the particular sanction if access to the system is required for study.

Students are required to sign a copy of the AUP before they are allowed access to the network. The full AUP can be seen here.