As a specialist school with Technology College Status, we aim to be at the leading edge of technology in schools. Since December, we have been installing a new Research Machines Pentium network throughout the school with over 100 work stations.

The new Library has a suite of computers with access to the Internet as well as CD Rom facilities. Before long, we shall be installing videoconferencing facilities. This could enable us to link with our partner schools in Didcot's proposed French twin town Meylan.

Learning the ICT Language!

To help those who are feeling left behind, let us guide you through the INTERNET:

1. The Internet is an international network of computers that you can connect your PC to through an

ordinary telephone line.

2. Once linked in, the network offers access to vast amounts of information stored on computers

around the world.

3. It allows you to receive and send messages to other users instantly, using electronic mail: E-mail.

4. The most popular part of the Internet is the World Wide Web which is made up of pages, known as

web sites. These can be created by anyone and tens of thousands have already been set up.

5. Many web sites, including those operated by computer software giant Microsoft, have programs

which can be downloaded on to your own computer.

6. The simplest way to connect your computer to the Internet is to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider.

7. You will also be given a telephone number that your computer modem uses to connect to the

Internet, charged at the local rate.

8. Another way to connect is to subscribe to an on-line service. This gives access to the Internet but

also a range of organised information pages exclusive to members.

9. At St Birinus, we are connected to EDUWEB via Research Machines. This is a filtered access,

ensuring that unsuitable material is not available.

10. We will keep you informed about further developments as they come on line. If in doubt, ask our

pupils! They will know the answer or know someone who does!

STOP PRESS

Good news for all our partner primary schools in the Didcot area. Our bid for additional Government funding for the new National Grid for Learning has been successful! This means a new computer in every primary school classroom.

C.D. Bryan

Head