Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2004

Information Technology Developments

Communications The School ’ s internet connection has been upgraded to a high speed link which is five times faster than the previous one. It also provides the ability to modify the speed of the link to meet variations in student demand thus resulting in a more cost effective system. The internet connection at the Memorial Outdoor Education Centre was also upgraded to a two-way satellite link which provides improved, more reliable access for staff and students. Security Security was enhanced through the purchase of dedicated hardware and the reconfiguration of existing network services and firewalls. These measures have been implemented to prevent hackers from obtaining access to the School ’ s system and to protect the School from unauthorised external access. These 2003 initiatives provide sound foundations upon which the School can build upon during 2004 and beyond. Such initiatives will cater for the increasing demand on the network by the School community and ensure that students have access to the latest technologies. The total commitment to IT spending during 2003 was in excess of one million dollars.

With a recognition of and a commitment to technology best practices across both the hardware and software sectors, Brisbane Girls Grammar School has undertaken a number of initiatives over the past twelve months to build upon the already strong Information and Communication Technologies foundations established by the School. Mr Richard Holden, Business Development Manager for IT solutions company Data #3 Limited said “ The advanced nature of the technology implemented clearly positions Brisbane Girls Grammar School at the leading edge of the private school IT sector. Data#3 Limited, Microsoft and Hewlett Packard all consider the School to be the reference site for the education sector ” . Infrastructure As IT now forms such an inherent part of all aspects of the day to day running of the School, there is an ever increasing reliance on the provision of an efficient and stable network system. With this in mind, the School has recently completed a major server upgrade project which included the migration to the latest versions of the Microsoft network operating and email systems. Another key component of this upgrade was the five-fold increase in storage space to meet growing demands and facilitate the continued integration of technology into the curriculum. Software and Hardware In addition, to addressing the increasing demand on IT facilities by the curriculum the School also undertook several classroom initiatives, some of which were specifically faculty based. The facilities in the music laboratory have been expanded and upgraded to include fourteen new midi keyboards and PCs which provides a better ratio of students to computers. PCs were also integrated into the new design of the science laboratories as part of the refurbishment. Individual PCs were deployed to some classrooms as part of the School ’ s commitment to provide PCs for every classroom. The School has also recently completed construction of a new computer laboratory and expanded an existing one, increasing the number of computer laboratories to a total of six. In line with the School ’ s three yearly IT replacement policy, a number of desktop PCs were upgraded to the latest models with flat panel screens.

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