Acceptable Computer and Internet Use Policy

The computer system is owned by the school. This Acceptable Computer and Internet Use Policy helps to protect students, staff and the school by clearly stating what use of the computer resources is acceptable and what is not.

Personal Responsibility

As a representative of the school, I will accept personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of the network to a staff member. Misuse is as described below.

Acceptable Use

The purpose of the school network including Internet access is to support research and education by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of your account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of Winton Arts and Media College.

All Users Shall Not
  • Visit Internet sites, make, post, download, upload or pass on, material, remarks, proposals or comments that contain or relate to:
    • Pornography (including child pornography)
    • Promote discrimination of any kind
    • Promote racial or religious hatred
    • Promote illegal acts
    • Any other information that may be offensive to colleagues.
  • Use any other users account nor amend or delete any of their files or passwords.
  • Install or attempt to install programs of any type.
Privileges/User Accounts

The use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of the users account. The system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use and their decision is final. Also, the system administrators may deny, revoke or suspend usage of an account at any time as required. The staff may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts at any time. Use for personal financial gain, gambling, political purposes, playing games or advertising is not permitted.

Services

Winton Arts and Media College makes no warranties of any kind whether expressed or implied, for the network service it is providing. Winton Arts and Media College will not be responsible for any damages suffered whilst on this system. These damages include loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by the system or elements of the system, or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the network or other information systems is at your own risk. Winton Arts and Media College specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained via its Internet services.

Network and E-mail Etiquette and Privacy

You are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Be polite. Do not get abusive in your messages to others.
  2. Use appropriate language. Do not swear, or use any other inappropriate language. Remember that you are a representative of the school on a global public system. You may be alone with your computer, but what you say and do can be viewed by others.
  3. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
  4. Do not reveal your personal address or phone numbers or that of fellow students.
  5. Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.
  6. Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users. i.e. playing games, downloading music and inserting MP3 or I-pods into the USB port.
  7. Anonymous messages and chain letters are not permitted.
  8. The use of chat rooms is not allowed.
  9. Other considerations:
    • Be brief. Few people will bother to read a long message. Proof read your message to ensure that it is error free and easy to understand.
    • Remember that humour and satire are very often misinterpreted.
    • Respect the rights and beliefs of others.
Electronic Mail

Electronic mail (Email) is widely available via the Internet. Students are expected to use this facility in a responsible manner. The sending or receiving of any email, which contains any inappropriate material, is strictly forbidden. It is also forbidden to send large volume Emails (E-mailing everybody in the school. (Spamming). Spamming overloads the systems and it will be looked on as a serious matter, warranting the removal of Internet or E-mail privileges for periods from 2 weeks to permanent removal.

Security

Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the network or Internet, you must notify IT Services Department or your ICT teacher. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Do not use another individual’s account under any circumstance. Attempts to logon to the Internet as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user accounts. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the network and Internet.

Vandalism

Vandalism will result in cancellation of user accounts. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to damage or destroy any part of the computer system and network infrastructure, data of another user, or any Internet sites. This includes, but not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses, the wilful damage of computer hardware, whether connected to the network or not and the deletion of data from its place of storage.

Monitoring

The school may exercise its right to monitor the use of the school’s computer systems, including access to web-sites, the interception of e-mail and the deletion of inappropriate materials where it believes unauthorised use of the school’s computer system is or may be taking place. This also includes the school accessing student work areas to check for inappropriate files.

Sanctions

Violations of these rules will result in the withdrawal of access to ICT resources, and will lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the School. Where applicable, police or local authorities may be involved, or other legal action taken. Denying access by students to the ICT system will have a detrimental effect on their achievements.

Appendix A

PARENT/GUARDIAN

As a parent or guardian of a student enrolled at Winton Arts and Media College we hope that you will support us and understand that any access to our electronic information services is designed for educational purposes only. You will understand that, whilst the Internet service provider operates a filtered service, it is impossible for Winton Arts and Media College to restrict access to all controversial materials and will not hold the school responsible for materials acquired on the network. We hope that you will support us in reporting any misuse of the system to the school.