Digital@Marsden is Marsden State High School's whole-school approach to digital learning. It enables families to choose a personal device option that best fits the learning style and capabilities of their child, while ensuring all students can connect to departmentally managed networks in a safe, secure, and supported environment.
Portable electronic devices such as iPads and laptops are widely used across the school to support and enhance student learning. As curriculum continues to evolve, digital literacy has become a key 21st-century skill. Digital@Marsden reflects our commitment to preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to succeed in a rapidly changing and increasingly digital world.
Through Digital@Marsden, technology is embedded into everyday classroom practice to support:
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Creativity, collaboration, and communication
- Organisation, research, and independent learning
Students use technology to engage in individual research, collaborate on group projects, and create innovative responses to learning tasks. Access to digital tools provides flexible learning opportunities, allowing students to follow personalised learning pathways and engage with resources that support their individual needs. This approach strengthens academic achievement while building confidence and independence in learning.
Beyond academics, Digital@Marsden supports the development of important life skills. Students are explicitly taught digital citizenship, including responsible and ethical online behaviour, safe use of technology, and effective digital communication. Collaboration is encouraged through the use of shared platforms, enabling students to work together, share ideas, and learn respectfully in digital spaces.
To support this vision, Marsden State High School operates a one-to-one device model, offering families two equally supported pathways. Both options provide students with full access to curriculum, teaching, assessment, and digital learning tools, ensuring no student is disadvantaged by their chosen pathway.
Digital@Marsden Device Options
- Option 1: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- Option 2: Take Home Tech (school-managed device loan program – currently available for Year 7 students commencing in 2026)
Families are encouraged to explore each option and select the pathway that best suits their circumstances, knowing that both are fully supported at Marsden State High School.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program allows families to provide a personal iPad for their child's use at school and at home. This option is well-suited to families who prefer to manage their own device and have already made a personal investment in technology.
Students using BYOD:
- Use their iPad daily across learning areas
- Access the same curriculum, digital resources, and assessment as all students
- Receive guidance and support from the school to ensure appropriate use
BYOD devices must meet the school's minimum specifications to ensure compatibility with classroom learning and the school network. Families are responsible for device setup, care, insurance, and maintenance.
Participation in BYOD is fully supported at Marsden State High School. Students are not disadvantaged by choosing this option, and teaching and learning experiences are consistent across all classrooms regardless of device pathway.
Take Home Tech
Take Home Tech is Marsden State High School's school-managed device program, providing students with a loan iPad learning kit for use at school and at home for the full school year.
This option is ideal for families who:
- Prefer the school to manage device setup and software
- Would like consistency and reliability across classrooms
- Are seeking a structured, supported device option
Devices provided through Take Home Tech are:
- Configured, managed, and maintained by the school
- Preloaded with required applications
- Supported by school systems and processes
Participation in Take Home Tech requires families to opt in to the optional Digital@Marsden Student Resource Scheme (SRS), which covers digital learning resources and the device loan. There is no hire fee or deposit.
Take Home Tech and BYOD are equally supported pathways at Marsden State High School. Both ensure students have access to high-quality digital learning experiences in a safe, consistent, and equitable way.
📱 BYOD vs Take Home Tech – Device Options at Marsden State High School
Marsden State High School fully supports both BYOD and Take Home Tech. Each option has been designed to ensure students have equitable access to learning and are not academically disadvantaged, regardless of the pathway chosen by families.
Feature | BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) | Take Home Tech |
School support
| Fully supported by the school
| Fully supported by the school |
Purpose
| Provides flexibility for families who prefer to supply their own device | Provides a school-managed option for families who prefer or require it |
| Device ownership | Family-owned device | School-owned device (loaned) |
Device type
| iPad meeting school specifications | School-managed iPad Learning Kit |
| Classroom use | Used daily for learning | Used daily for learning |
| Access to curriculum | Equal access to all curriculum and learning activities | Equal access to all curriculum and learning activities |
| Teaching and assessment | No difference based on device pathway | No difference based on device pathway |
| Software & digital tools | Access to required learning applications | Access to required learning applications |
| Device setup & management | Managed by family with school guidance | Managed by school |
Technical support
| School support for learning-related issues | Full school device management |
| Financial commitment | Upfront family investment in device | No hire fee or deposit |
| SRS participation | Optional ($35 digital resources only) | Required ($175 Digital@Marsden SRS) |
| Payment structure | Not applicable | SRS paid by Week 4 |
| Equity support | Equity devices available if required | Equity devices available if required |
| Device return | Not applicable | Returned Week 10, Term 4
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Both pathways are equally valued at Marsden State High School. Teaching, learning, assessment and access to digital resources are consistent across classrooms, ensuring students are supported regardless of the device option chosen by families.