Tier 0 – $0        Warranty claim – no service fee for a warrantable fault.

Tier 1 – $149    Screen or enclosure damage – AppleCare+ Accidental Damage from Handling (“ADH Service”)
Tier 2 – $429   Accidental damage from handling – AppleCare+  Accidental Damage from Handling (“ADH Service”)

Tier 3 – $600    Insurance Premium – a police report is required to access an insurance premium
Tier 4 – $800    Full device replacement via invoice

All repairs are provided by the 3rd party Apple Repair Centre.  Full Apple Care T&Cs are listed here: https://www.apple.com/au/legal/sales-support/applecare/applecareplus/au/mac/

This move to College leased devices allows us to monitor devices more effectively, and promotes optimal teaching and learning in terms of deployment of applications, imaging and responding to student user issues.

This model of student learning technology access also helps ensure consistency of learning opportunities for all students and secure management of software and services.

The device is one part of the whole package, which includes support, software, management, security, warranty, service agreement and swap outs during repairs to ensure minimal disruption to learning.

This is in keeping with staff devices and the College device management and classroom infrastructure configuration and investment. Apple devices have proven to have battery reliability required for whole-day usage and robust hardware, and integrated high-quality cameras and stylus. These devices also have a simplicity of a familiar operating system while offering the complexity and opportunities of multiple enterprise-grade apps, such as Teams, in a secure enclave. In a multi-vendor world, the flexibility of the chosen devices allows for the cross-platform use of the full Microsoft 365 suite, Adobe apps and additional apps such as Canva and Education Perfect.  However, mixed device platforms create confusion and overheads for implementation, function, and management. In keeping costs to families manageable, the College can negotiate a competitive pricing structure with an Apple device.

In the experience of IT Support a glass screen protector is always a good investment.

New Students commencing at the College for the first time in Years 9, 11 and 12 during 2025 can purchase from the minimum required device specification listed above. A new Year 7, 8 or 10 student will be supplied a school-leased device.

To ensure consistency and equity in the learning environment plus the ability to complete tasks students in year 8-9 must have an iPad and in year 7, 10-12 must have a MacBook.

No, it is important that the students have the same device with the same software suite and the same security settings. The device is one part of the whole package, which includes support, software, management, security, warranty, service agreement and swap outs during repairs to ensure minimal disruption to learning.

The device has a life cycle of three years (Years 7 to 9 and Years 10 to 12). Allowing opt-in outside of these entry points would make the deployment and management of devices untenable. Additionally, teachers design learning experiences around these consistent devices to ensure the technology does not get in the way of the learning.  Therefore, we can’t provide opt-in as a choice outside of the Years 7 and 10 entry points.

The school is sourcing the best product at the best price with bulk buying power. The cost includes the whole package as indicated above.  Occasionally vendors have a two-day sale but these are rare and hard to predict.

Yes, a 256 GB hard drive is sufficient storage for nearly all students. Students doing Media courses may benefit from more local storage.

Students are also given guidance on how to access 1TB of OneDrive storage.  Year 7 and 10 students also get 256 GB iCloud storage with their Managed Apple ID.

Mercedes College will negotiate prices each year. Consequently, the price may vary between year groups.

For Year 8s in 2025, at the end of the lease, the condition of the iPad is checked ahead of return to the leasing provider before the last day of school in December at the end of Term 4.

For Year 7s in 2025, at the end of the lease, the condition of the MacBook is checked ahead of return to the leasing provider before the last day of school in December at the end of Term 4 in 2027.

For Year 7s in 2025, at the end of the lease, the device is wiped and removed from Mobile Device Management on the last day of year 12 in in 2027.

The College will require the school-owned device and all associated peripherals to be returned in an acceptable condition. Charges may apply if the device is damaged.

The device will connect to home networks, and students will be able to access online platforms at home (e.g., YouTube, Netflix, etc). However, they will not be able to install apps or change device settings. Students can request apps to be installed specific to their learning needs, justifying their critical thinking to their teachers via a form on the SEQTA Learn splash page.

No, Education Perfect is made available to students where required by teachers and the cost is covered via the IT Levy.

Students access eBook versions of the textbooks via the Campion app using licences purchased via the college booklist. These texts listed as a compulsory item include eBooks  allowing students to sign-in to interactive activities via their college SSO (Single Sign On).