Ayr State High School provides computing and network resources for students. Students are encouraged to use the computers, peripheral hardware (digital cameras, scanners, DVD players, etc.) software packages, electronic mail (email) and software installed by Ayr High’s ICT Department for educational or school related activities and for the exchange of useful information.
Appropriate or acceptable educational uses of these resources include:
- The use of Ayr State High-owned software, hardware and the Ayr State High internal network facility for scholastic endeavour.
- Accessing the Internet to retrieve information from libraries, databases and World Wide Web sites to enrich and expand curriculum.
- Email capabilities to facilitate communication and distance-learning projects.
All users are expected to conduct their online activities in an ethical and legal fashion. The use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Misuse of these resources will result in suspension or loss of these privileges, as well as possible disciplinary, legal, and/or monetary consequences.
Examples of inappropriate or unacceptable use(s) of these resources include, but are not limited to, those uses that:
- violate the law
- violate the rules of network etiquette,
- are used in a manner disruptive to the work or educational environment
- hamper the integrity or security of any network connected to the Internet.
Some unacceptable practices include:
- The use of unsupervised instant messaging programs such as MSN, iChat, and Yahoo messenger is prohibited.
- Transmission of any material in violation of any Australian or State law including but not limited to:
- downloading, copying, storing or transmitting any copyrighted material including music, graphic video or movie files without the express permission of the author or copyright holder or as permitted by law;
- using another’s login or password or allowing others to use yours;
- threatening, harassing, pornographic or obscene material;
- material protected by trade secret.
- No pictures, images, videos or other electronic information taken at school or school functions may be posted or otherwise displayed on the internet, eg. Youtube, Myspace, unless you have written authorization from the Principal.
- As with all forms of communications, email or other network resources may not be used in a manner that is disruptive to the work or educational environment. The use of ICT resources must not harass, threaten, defame, vilify or discriminate against any group or individual. This also includes the deliberate or negligent accessing, preparing, storing, displaying or transmitting of material that:
- is obscene, pornographic or pedophilia;
- is discriminatory or vilificatory, that promotes illegal acts or that advocates violence;
- is offensive or potentially unlawful;
- promotes/allows online gambling.
- The use for personal financial or commercial gain, product advertisement or the sending of unsolicited junk mail or chain letters is prohibited.
- The forgery, reading, deleting, copying, or modifying of electronic mail messages of other users is prohibited.
- The creation, propagation and/or use of computer viruses, spyware or adware, are prohibited.
- Deleting, examining, copying, or modifying files and/or data belonging to other users is prohibited.
- Unauthorised copying/installation of software programs belonging to the school is prohibited.
- Intentional destruction, deletion or disablement of Ayr High installed software on any computer is prohibited.
- Vandalism is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to, any attempt to harm or destroy the data of another user, the network/internet, or any networks or sites connected to the network/internet. Attempts to breach security
- codes and/or passwords, whether on or off- campus, will also be considered a form of vandalism.
- Destruction of hardware or software or attempts to exceed or modify the parameters of the system is prohibited.
- It should be noted that:
- Nothing in this policy shall prohibit Ayr State High School operators from intercepting and stopping email messages that have the capacity to overload the computer resources.
- Discipline may be imposed for intentional overloading of Ayr High’s computer resources (including printers).
- When you connect any device to the Ayr State High School network you do so on the understanding that the device can be inspected by Ayr State High School or one of its officers.
- The conditions of use are subject to change so that the integrity and responsible use of the network can be ensured.
Access to Ayr High’s email and Education Queensland’s Webmail and similar electronic communication systems is a privilege and certain responsibilities accompany that privilege. Ayr State High School users are expected to demonstrate the same level of ethical and professional manner as is required in face-to-face or written communications. All users are required to maintain and safeguard password protected access to both personal and confidential Ayr State High School files and folders.
- Unauthorised attempts to access another person’s email or similar electronic communication or to create/send email under another’s name, email or computer address, laptop or other means (forgery); create/send/forward: electronic chain letters, unsolicited broadcast emails (“Spam”), obscene, abusive, fraudulent, threatening or repetitive messages, are prohibited and may subject the individual to disciplinary action.
- All users must understand that Ayr State High School cannot guarantee the privacy or confidentiality of electronic documents and any messages that are confidential as a matter of law should not be communicated over email.
- Ayr State High School reserves the right to access, inspect, modify and/or retrieve material on its ICT resources, to engage in routine computer maintenance and housekeeping, to carry out internal investigations, to check Internet access history or to disclose messages, data or files.
- Any information contained on any Ayr State High School computer’s hard drive or computer disks that were purchased by Ayr State High School are considered the property of Ayr State High School.
This agreement applies to laptop computers as well as computers or any other device connected to the network or internet. Any attempt to violate the provisions of this agreement will result in revocation of the user’s privileges, regardless of the success or failure of the attempt. In addition, school disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. The decision of Ayr High School regarding inappropriate use of the technology or telecommunication resources is final. Monetary remuneration may be sought for damage necessitating repair or replacement of equipment.
