Our Year 7 boys have become an important part of our College history this year, being the first group to take part in our 1:1 Learning Program. On the second day of school this year, each of the boys received their brand new MacBook and started an intense two day orientation in not only their computer but also the network here at Joeys and the expectations that we have of them in the responsible use of their computer.

The orientation included the initial introduction to their computer on both the Mac side and also the Windows side. Having a dual boot computer has certainly enabled them to have access to a greater diversity of software and resources. The boys were taken through the College policies and recommendations with regard to their social responsibilities, cyber-bullying, social networking sites and lots more. Once they had their computer in front of them they were shown the ins and outs of it. There is no doubt that there is plenty more that the boys (and staff) will learn over the coming weeks and months, however, the orientation equipped the boys with the necessary skills to get started on their learning in such a technological environment.

Sitting at a computer for much of the day and also carrying it around puts different physiological stresses on the body. To assist the boys in looking after themselves, we had the boys take part in a one hour “physiocise” session. This session showed the boys the correct way to sit at their computer, the best way to carry it and also some stretches that can help relieve pressure in different areas of the body. This hour was certainly useful and entertaining for the boys as they worked on “lifting their dots”!

Educating is forever changing and there is no doubt that the boys in Year 7 and the staff who work with them are well-equipped to be on top of these changes as they occur. Where will technology be in five years time? Who knows? What we do know, however, is that the boys at Joeys will be right beside it!

Photo 1:  Sam ven der Burgh (Hunters Hill) learns the ways of his new MacBook.

Photo 2: The boys go through their stretches during their Physiocise session.

Photo 3: History in the making – 156 boys receive their new computers.