Welcome to Village Connect
Village Connect is our dedicated platform designed to bring families, students, and the school community closer together. By streamlining communication, providing real-time updates, and offering secure online tools, Village Connect ensures every family stays informed, supported, and connected.
What Is Village Connect?
Village Connect is an all-in-one digital hub where families can access essential school information, monitor student progress, and stay engaged with upcoming events and activities. Built with simplicity and transparency at its core, it makes managing school life easier and more accessible.
Village Connect Program – Key Points
New families are required to have a school-approved laptop (Lenovo ThinkBook 14) to streamline support and ensure consistency.
Saasyan Assure on-device web filter is required on all student laptops to ensure safe and appropriate internet use.
School-supplied phone available with restricted access to gaming, social media, and non-educational apps.
Option for no phone during the day: students may check personal phones in at the office if not using a school-supplied device.
Student Laptop Option & Saasyan Assure Web Filter
To support digital learning, students may choose to use a personal laptop for schoolwork. All laptops must have the Saasyan Assure on-device web filter installed, which ensures safe and appropriate internet use during learning activities. This filter is a key part of our commitment to student safety online.
New families joining VHS will be required to use a school-approved laptop: Lenovo ThinkBook 14. This standardised device helps streamline technology across the school, making it easier for staff to support students with their devices and learning.
If families choose not to install the Saasyan Assure filter on a personal device, students can still access a school library of laptops. These laptops are available for use during school hours and are accessed via the student’s school email account.
Regardless of device choice, all students are required to:
Use Google Workspace (Google Suite) for learning tasks
Store all documents and work in Google Drive
This ensures students can access their work from any device, anywhere, making learning flexible and seamless.
Parent Portal
Secure access to your child’s online activity at home.
View websites visited and internet usage in real time.
Set rules to block or limit access to gaming, social media, and non-educational sites.
Align home internet use with school digital safety guidelines.
Only authorised parents/carers can access the Portal.
School-Supplied Phone – Oppo A5
To support learning and communication, the school provides a school-supplied phone (Oppo A5) for students. The school covers the cost of the device, while families are responsible for the SIM card and any credit or mobile plan. WiFi is available across the school for student use.
The device comes with restricted apps managed through Microsoft InTune, ensuring safe and focused use during school hours. Approved apps include but are not limited to:
Email & Calendar
Google Classroom
StudentRide bus app
Spotify
Texts and calls
Optional: If Ryanston students prefer to use their personal phone, it may either be left at home or checked in at the office each morning and collected in the afternoon. Otherwise, the school-supplied device is used during school hours for learning and essential communication.
Sign Up for a School-Supplied Mobile Device
Click here to complete the Expression of Interest form
Village Connect – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do new students need a specific laptop?
Yes. All new families are required to have the school-approved Lenovo ThinkBook 14. This helps standardise devices for easier support and consistent learning experiences.
2. What is the Saasyan Assure web filter?
The Saasyan Assure on-device web filter ensures safe and appropriate internet use on all student laptops. Families can customise restrictions at home using the Parent Portal.
3. Can students bring their own phone to school?
Yes. Students may bring their personal phone for use to and from school, but it must be checked in at the office during school hours.
4. What does the school-supplied phone include?
The Oppo A5 comes with:
Access to emails, calendar, Google Classroom - setup to each students school profile
A range of school approved apps
Managed via Microsoft InTune
5. Who pays for the phone and plan?
The school provides the device, while families cover the SIM card and credit or mobile plan. WiFi is available at school for student use.
6. What is the Parent Portal?
The Parent Portal allows families to:
Monitor their child’s online activity at home
Set internet restrictions on devices
Stay updated with school communications
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