BYOD Open Program

As a 21st Century Learning Community, Mernda Central College is committed to leading change with students and their families.

Students from Year 5 to Year 11 will take part in a 1:1 Open BYOD program.

It is important that you understand that the device does not replace traditional pen and paper activities. We still believe there is a place for these tools today and in the future. The device is used during certain times in the day and when needed to support student learning. Students will still be interacting with each other face-to-face during class times.

We are continuously seeing the benefits that the 1:1 program can bring to broadening student learning, digital competencies, increased student choice and the personalisation of learning for our students.


The suggestions for the Open BYOD Program are as follows:

Device must be no smaller than an iPad Mini and under 4 years old.

The device can be a Windows Laptop, Apple MacBook, Google Chromebook, Apple iPad or an Android Tablet.

Operating Systems:

  • Windows devices – Windows 10 / 11

  • Apple MacBooks – macOS 12 (Monterey) or higher

  • Google Chromebooks – ChromeOS 75 or higher

  • Apple iPads – iOS 15 or higher

  • Android Tablets – Android 9.0 (Pie) or higher

If you choose to go with an Apple iPad as the device the following applies as per the BYOD iPad Program:

The recommended requirements for student iPads are as follows:

Full size: Apple iPad (8th Generation)

Mini size: Apple iPad Mini (5th Generation)

Device is required to support iOS 15 or higher.

We DO NOT recommend the following as support from Apple has ceased:

iPad (1st to 5th Generation)

iPad Mini (1st to 3rd Generation)

iPad Air

These iPads are not recommended to be used as a student’s school device as certain required applications may not work due to requiring iOS 15 or higher.

JB Hi-Fi Education

Mernda Central College have worked with JB Hi-Fi to provide a BYOD Device Portal that will provides parents with access to a wide range of Education specific laptops, tablets, accessories and insurance.

All orders will be delivered to your nominated JB Hi-Fi store. You will receive both an email and an SMS notifying you once your order is available for collection.

Online ordering can be done using the below link and entering the school code which is MERNDACC2023

Apple Store

Mernda Central College is a participating school of the Family Funded Program that will provide in-store and our custom online store with pricing available for parents of Mernda Central College. This covers special iPad and Mac pricing for students attending our school as well as AppleCare+ and accessories.

If you wish to visit in-store, please advise the Apple staff member that you have a student attending Mernda Central College in order to receive Apple Education Pricing.

For online ordering, you can click the link below to visit the Apple Store with Apple Education Pricing applied.