ICT Services

Introduction

Grey High School has developed a progressive, sustainable ICT plan, with emphasis on a quality, scaleable network infrastructure, and integration of resources which enhances classroom learning.

ICT Facilities

Grey has over 300 computers and peripheral devices. It is a complex network, especially given the wide range of software required for both administration and classroom use. Microsoft Windows 10 Professional is the primary operating system with Microsoft Office 2016 Pro used throughout the school. All servers have raid-array architecture with UPS power protection, and key data is backed up daily.

In order to provide maximum uptime of server resources, all services run in a virtual environment. In this configuration, a single server failure will not result in a loss of connection to the Data Servers or Microsoft Exchange Server (email) data.

The server environment makes use of virtualization to maximize the use of the server hardware . Virtualization allows more than one virtual server to run on a physical server machine. The network uses Microsoft Active Directory platform and the servers have been installed using the Microsoft Server 2012 R2 operating system for the Data Servers, and Microsoft Exchange 2013 Server for the Exchange Servers. Microsoft Deployment Services is used to deploy applications to workstations and Active Directory is used to control all access to network resources. The network infrastructure is standardised on Molex CAT6A UTP using CISCO switches with the backbone up-links running on 10 GB/sec single mode fibre.

Student Access

Students have access to excellent facilities for research, analysis, scanning, black and white and colour printing. Each student receives an individual logon and password, which gives him access to the network and the internet.

Facilities

There are three large computer teaching laboratories, a computer laboratory in the Boarding House, and a computer laboratory in each of the Engineering, Graphics and Design Department , Music Department and Academic Support Departments. All classrooms and Departments of the school, including the Boarding House, are linked in a school-wide computer network via a high-speed (10GB/sec) fibre-optic connections, so there is access from any of over 300 terminals to the huge range of programs and applications held on the central fileservers. Most resources can be reached from anywhere within the school, and via a VPN connection from anywhere in the world. All boys have their own private space on the fileservers in which to store their work, which is then instantly available to them on any networked computer in the school. At present, excluding administrative computers and the Boarding house, the overall computer to student ratio is 1:5. All teaching venues have large screen projection facilities with interactive data projectors.

The school has a comprehensive policy governing the use of computers, including Internet access.

All the laboratories are fully air conditioned. Projection facilities, scanning, and colour printing complete the package available to students. The accommodation is spacious, and the range and quality of the equipment, which is replaced every three years is of an exceptionally high standard, bearing comparison with the provision in many universities.

The facilities are used mainly for teaching ICT in Grades 8-11, as well as IT and CAT in Grades 10-12. A vast range of specialist departmental software eg Borland Delphi 2010, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Speltoets, Readers are Leaders, Sibelius, Autodesk AutoCad, GIS, is also available.

Printing

A levy is charged for printing in black and white, and in colour. Impero pCredit is an auditing program which is installed on the servers; this enables students to purchase credits to enable them to print. In this way, they are responsible for the management of their account and printing requests.

Flash drives, USB, Removable Storage Media

Grey High School is following the trend by many schools worldwide by disabling removable storage media so as to minimise the risk of viruses etc. Although the network is protected by the latest anti-virus software and firewalls etc, it is usually from inside the network that security is the most vulnerable. Students are requested not to make use of any removable media for storage, and an infringement of this rule can have serious consequences. Students are encouraged to email their work to the staff member concerned, or to the IT Support Engineer, where he will make the necessary arrangements for it to be accessible.

Software

On the PC systems a variety of major business and educational software packages are available for students and staff running under Windows 10 Professional; we have standardised the PC’s so as to ensure ease of use and scaleable in terms of upgrades. Software includes Microsoft Office 2016, Delphi 2010, Geometer’s Sketchpad and interactive Chemistry and Physics software.
The industry standard office suite, Microsoft Office 2016, is installed on every PC.
Delphi 2010 is available on every machine in the computer laboratories. This versatile but easy to use programming language is used to give students a foundation on which to build. Various subjects have their own facilities with specialised software (Sibelius for the music students, AutoCad for the Engineering Graphics and Design students and GIS software for the Geography students). Readers are Leaders, a diagnostic tool for identifying weak areas in reading and comprehension, is installed on the remedial room computer laboratory. Software is updated annually to reflect what is currently used in commerce and industry.

Email and Web Browsing

Students do not have school e-mail accounts, but rather they are encouraged to set up their own web-based account, preferably Gmail as Google Classroom usage and integration will be much easier. The school connects to the Internet using fibre-optic lines. Students are encouraged to make use of the Internet for research into projects for a variety of purposes ranging from debates to advanced mathematical research. Actions on the Internet are monitored via Impero classroom management software and system logs.

Computer Usage

Policy Documentation
Access to the school’s LAN is on condition of signing a Computer Usage Contract. Grey is following the trend set by many schools which have policies like these in place. The aim of the policy is to ensure that the infrastructure and usage thereof is protected, as the school has invested a large amount of capital to ensure we stay at the cutting edge of technology.
The school has the right to place reasonable restrictions on material accessed or posted through the system.

Netsafety

Grey High School has well defined ICT Acceptable Use Policies for staff, learnership students, and students.

In a minor, unintentional access to an inappropriate site, or improper use of the ICT facilities, the learner will be warned and have his access rights removed for a suitable period of time. In a more serious case, the offence will be reported directly to Senior Management for further action.

Recent trends in adolescent behaviour with online facilities indicates that, as well as the obvious dangers of exposure to pornography, bomb-making, sexual solicitation, online gambling, bullying etc., there is a growing trend to be hooked on use of the Internet itself. At Grey we strive for a balance in the use of ICT. For example, students are only allowed to access email and the Internet outside of normal school hours unless directed by a teacher; Internet games/movies are prohibited, and only serious classroom work is encouraged.