When students commence at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, parents make a significant investment in their child's education through the purchase of a laptop and protective case and bag. While Apple laptops are sturdy, the screen must still be protected to prevent scratching and damage.

Below is a list of guidelines for students to look after their laptops at school, and at home during the holidays and periods of remote learning.

To protect MacBooks, students should:

• keep the hard case on the laptop. Cases are the first line of defence and are designed to break instead of the laptop. If the laptop case has been damaged, it should be replaced

• items should not be placed on the keyboard. Closing a laptop on a pen or power cord can result in damage to the screen

• books and pencil cases should not be placed on a closed laptop as the weight can cause stress to the screen

• laptops should be placed in laptop bags when moving laptops to and from school, and between classes

• laptops should be closed before moving within a room. If it is necessary to move a laptop while the screen is open, the laptop should be carried by the base. Carrying laptops by the screen can lead to cracking

• food and drink should not be placed near a laptop, inside a laptop bag, or above a laptop in a student locker

• laptops should be moved to the wall when charging to avoid the cable being tripped over during charging.

To remind students of how to look after their laptops, posters have been placed in classrooms and study areas within the College.