Case Studies
Eltham College’s Journey to the Cloud: Transforming Learning and Collaboration with Cloud Design Box
Eltham College has partnered with Cloud Design Box to revolutionise its digital strategy and transition to a fully cloud-based environment. By integrating Microsoft SharePoint and Teams, the collaboration has enhanced teaching, learning, and administrative operations while laying the groundwork for long-term innovation.
About the Organisation
Founded in 1842 as the School for the Sons of Missionaries, Eltham College is a prestigious independent day school with a rich history. Initially catering to boys, the school transitioned to a co-educational model in 2020, admitting both girls and boys into Years 3 and 7. With a focus on nurturing students’ individual talents, the college strives to create a thriving learning environment.
"Over time, our Cloud Design Box-designed SharePoint site is transforming the way that we work—for the better!"
-Susan Roxby, Eltham College Bursar
Challenges
Eltham College faced several challenges in implementing a modern system:
- Supporting diverse staff needs across both Junior and Senior schools, as well as administrative functions.
- Designing a structure that would be intuitive for staff accustomed to traditional network folders.
- Encouraging departments to adopt features like tagging, which were unfamiliar but essential for maximising the system’s potential.
Susan Roxby, Eltham College Bursar, explained, “We needed a solution that worked well across academic departments and support functions while being user-friendly for all staff.”
Solution
Cloud Design Box worked closely with Eltham College stakeholders to understand the specific needs of each department. By doing so, the team designed and built tailored SharePoint sites for teaching, learning, and administrative functions. Key features included:
- Replacing network shares with SharePoint sites for seamless collaboration.
- Supporting user adoption through training needs analysis and feedback loops.
- Introducing tagging options to improve organisation and accessibility.
The implementation process involved ongoing communication with the school’s SharePoint Lead to refine the system and address additional needs after the main rollout.
Susan remarked, “The team at Cloud Design Box were always available to deal with our queries and feedback, and they responded quickly as needed.”
Eltham College’s digital transformation extends beyond the initial implementation. The school launched a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative for Year 9 students in 2019, further integrating SharePoint and Microsoft Teams into everyday teaching and learning.
This transition aligns with the school’s mission to empower students to take ownership of their learning while fostering collaboration between pupils and teachers. The college is also exploring the potential of Microsoft Teams as a tool for staff collaboration and group learning.
The Future
Eltham College’s commitment to the cloud reflects its dedication to innovation and excellence. As the school continues to build on its digital strategy, students and staff alike benefit from improved collaboration, accessibility, and efficiency.
By partnering with Cloud Design Box, Eltham College is setting a new standard for how technology can enhance education, ensuring its community thrives both now and in the future.
