SCHOOL ICT NEWS BULLETIN No 115 - 04/10/2007

Published by Children’s Services

Star Accounts and Access 2003

Following James Stanford‘s letter regarding Star Accounts and the requirements for Access 2003, it is possible that you are already covered for Access 2003 and do not need to buy an additional licence. Access 2003 is part of Microsoft Office 2003 Professional, therefore if you already have this installed, you should already have Access 2003.

To check which version of Office 2003 you are running, open an Office document (Word or Excel) click on Help, then scroll to the last option in the menu "About Microsoft Office Word/Excel". A box should appear and the second line down from the top will say which version you are running.

If you are running Standard version, you will need to purchase an additional licence and CD for Access 2003. Please contact the Contracts Team for a quote.

Author: Jay Zelos

Phoenix Gold, School and Pupil Census – Autumn Term

This term‘s Data collection is going well.

If you have not already carried out this terms Census then there are two processes that you need to undertake to minimise the need to contact the Service Desk.

Ensure that you have downloaded the latest Patch File V1.30.11 as detailed on the ICT Solutions Website.

When you have worked through your Census Return and have removed all your errors, remember to Authorise your File in accordance with the standard Phoenix Gold Census guidance and send in the correct file.

The Authorised file and Termly NCC Specials return should then be sent to the IRC as per the standard procedures.

To view the Phoenix Gold helpsheet for the October census, please view the Phoenix document page under P on the A to Z. On this page the Phoenix Gold October Census should be listed as School and Pupil Census userguide.

In certain circumstances an error may be produced concerning Language subjects in your PLAMS return. This problem has been resolved in Phoenix Gold patch version 1.30.11..

Author: Jay Zelos

e–Safety and e–Learning Conference 2007 - Reminder

Have you or your colleagues booked at no cost a place at this years e–safety and e–learning conference being held at John Innes Conference Centre 30th and 31st October 2007. This years conference will deliver two main themes:

• E–Safety
• E–Learning

And how they interrelate to the Every Child Matters agenda.

Head teachers, Governors leadership programme on 30th October 2007 – Teachers Pedagogy Programme 31st October 2007.

E–safety deliveries at the October conference are part of a series of events which are planned to assist all Norfolk teachers to develop their knowledge in preparation for the anti–bullying awareness week 19 – 23 November during which Norfolk pupils parents will be invited to attend a Parents Conference on Cyber bullying.

For more information concerning the Norfolk Schools e–safety and e–learning conference visit the conference website or telephone Judy Houghton on telephone 0845 303 3003.

For more information on the Parents Conference On Cyberbullying on Monday 19th November contact Heather Haycox by email on heather.haycox@norfolk.gov.uk

Author: Jay Zelos

RM Easymail Anti Spam Upgrade

RM have recently piloted a new Anti-Spam solution based on technology from IronPort, in this pilot the amount of additional spam removed was significant. The local authoriy in conjunction with BT will be rolling this out to all schools in the coming weeks. No action is required from schools.

"We anticipate that users will see a significant reduction in the amount of spam they receive. During our pilot, there was a 45% increase in the spam detection rate."

Author: Jay Zelos

Peter Hemingway Memorial Prize - Open to Schools

E2BN are now accepting applications for the 2007 Peter Hemingway Memorial Prize.

The prize will be awarded for the achievement of positive educational outcomes, derived in whole or part, through the use of broadband, supplied by E2BN, within the classroom. The £5000 prize will be awarded for work that has already been undertaken.

This award is open to all schools in the E2BN region using E2BN broadband.

Closing date for this award is 16:30 0n 19th October 2007.

For more details, go to the E2BN Peter Hemingway Memorial Prize page

Author: Glenn Carter

e1 October Census Helpsheet

A helpsheet is now available for schools completing the October Census in e1. It can be found under e1 October Census from the A to Z. The web page is 1.7Mb in size so may take some time to fully load.

(Note: this helpsheet does not apply to Phoenix Gold users.)

Author: Jay Zelos