The ICT section provides a wide range of services to Catholic schools and the Catholic Education Offices of Adelaide and Port Pirie. In addition, ICT manages large technology based strategic initiatives to support transformational change.
Significant initiatives ICT are involved in include:
ICT collaborates with schools on all ICT initiatives through the ICT Advisory Committee; a sub-committee of the Finance and Infrastructure Standing Committee (FISC).
The purpose of the ICT Advisory Committee is to:
CEO ICT provides services across the following key areas:
The CESA ICT Policy Framework is used to articulate the ICT vision, strategy and principles for the management and use of information and information technology resources to support the strategic plan and objectives of Catholic Education South Australia (CESA).
Further, the CESA ICT Policy Framework helps ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, promotes operational efficiency and management of risks by specifying requirements and standards for the consistent management of information technology resources across CESA.
The CEO ICT team continues to negotiate and manage sector wide contracts to ensure schools and the CEOs receive scale benefits and efficiencies. Where possible, CEO ICT works to provide subscription-based offerings so schools may participate based on their need.
Working in conjunction with Catholic Network Australia (CNA), a national master service agreement for the provision of wide area network services for CESA was endorsed. In addition, an agreement with Microsoft to provide heavily discounted licenses for the entire Microsoft product suite was endorsed.
The School Technology Services team provides an extensive range of professional services to over 86 schools. The team operates as a not-for-profit service to reduce the total cost of ownership and support for schools. With reach back into the broader CEO ICT team, and major suppliers throughout Australia and internationally, schools can leverage specialist skills not otherwise available. The team also provides support and advice on school ICT strategies and annual plans.
During 2021, the team continued to provide:
CEO ICT is responsible for the delivery and support of the CESA Wide Area Network (CESAnet) including internet connectivity, content filtering and security for 102 school sites and the Catholic Education Offices.
COVID-19 continued to stretch the demand on the network for teaching and learning activities in remote settings. The 2010 design of CESAnet did not anticipate modern learning practice requirements.
Whilst all Catholic Schools in South Australia enjoy high speed, fibre-based network connectivity a redesign of CESAnet was needed. During 2021, the replacement of CESAnet with a Software Defined Wide Area Network (SW-WAN) commenced. School connections are being further upgraded to a minimum of 200Mb per school at a lower cost. Once completed, all schools will also have a backup service to maintain critical access.
The applications development team are responsible for maintaining the bespoke solutions required by CESA.
Key activities through 2021 included:
The CEO ICT Service Centre provides front line support for schools and the CEOs. Key services provided by the Service Centre team:
ICT Production Management is responsible for the administration of all ICT services for CESA. The team ensures technical standards and production criteria are meet so that all ICT services meet usability and reliability standards.
Day-to-day operations include the management and monitoring of data centres, planning and coordinating support and maintenance activities to ensure legislative and vendor compliance, improve supportability and improve security.
The Information Management and Retention project replaced DocuShare and developed the processes and tools for the management and retention of digital intellectual property.
The project has acquired new document management software and equipment to remove the risks associated with DocuShare, whilst meeting mandated security and retention requirements.
Benefits include improved communications, collaboration, dissemination and retention of critical information in CESA.
Each year the Disaster Recovery (DR) facilities are proactively tested to reduce the risks associated with a catastrophic event. This work involves migrating, testing and operating all services from our DR facility.
In the event of any unplanned extended disruption, the DR facility is designed to return services to all schools and offices within one business day.
This project continues to organise and automate data gathering and reporting for schools providing significant efficiency improvements:
Preparation of a new community portal was completed which will offer parents and schools:
Over 2021, ICT investigated a suitable replacement of the existing student management system, known as ceSIS. Civica Admin (CES Admin) was reviewed and piloted in three schools. Civica was considered due to the existing investment in Civica products within CESA.
Working with the office and schools, a system to help with the management of our staff was researched and identified through a market review and request for proposal. CESA has unique requirements that necessitate a comprehensive review of market offerings.
Almost all primary schools were using a library management system that is no longer supported. Working with schools, a replacement product was identified and the transition commenced. This is a multi-year project which will conclude in 2022.
