Information Technology

After a couple of years of pandemic-induced challenges, 2022 was a far more normal year for our students, staff and community. The new normal continued to embrace many digital tools that helped us through digital learning. Wyse, our learning management system (LMS) and intranet portal continued to be strongly used, while not used as much as during distance learning, Zoom has become a valuable tool to be used from time to time to facilitate meetings that would be difficult to achieve in person.

The College launched a mandatory one-to-one laptop program in Year 9 at the start of 2022. The College provided all Year 9 students with a new MacBook Air Laptop, protective sleeve, software and AppleCare+ accidental damage cover. Students in Years 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 were again given the opportunity to borrow an older Macintosh laptop from the College to support their learning, and hundreds availed themselves of this offer.

During 2022 the threat of cybercrime continued to increase, with several significant companies suffering attacks and privacy breaches. Locally, several independent schools were also significant victims of cybercrime leading to privacy breaches. PLC has continued to review its technology and practices and has identified a number of projects to further enhance our security. All PLC staff and students from Year 9 onwards were enrolled in an automated simulated phishing scam system that attempts to provide them with the skills required to protect themselves and PLC. PLC staff also participated in an annual privacy training program.

The ICT Team delivered a new ICT Strategic Plan which contained a road map of ICT projects and a pipeline for the next five years. The road map of ICT projects seeks to modernise, integrate, automate and improve ICT services for students, staff and our community.

The Doris Daniel Theatre (DDT) received a significant Audio Visual (AV) upgrade which allowed for a variety of performances to be easily presented, recorded and streamed for audiences within the theatre and beyond.

The College’s Internet connection was upgraded from a single 1 GB connection to twin 10 GB fibre connections. The twin connections are supplied to the College via a diversified path to improve reliability, while the speed upgrade has improved performance. These improvements are seen to be important now that so many of the College’s teaching and learning resources are located within the Internet cloud.

The move to digital processes continued, with all aspects of the admissions process now online and the Junior School introducing a very successful online cashless lunch ordering system.

Brenton Harty Director of ICT and Privacy Officer