Stay Ahead: 8 Emerging IT Trends for Private School Leaders in 2025
Technology’s role in education is pivotal in 2025. For private schools, IT underpins learning, collaboration, and daily operations.
From safeguarding sensitive student data to meeting the growing demands of digital classrooms, IT managers are crucial in keeping schools competitive, secure, and ready for the future.
Cyberattacks in Australian schools rose by 35% in 2024, with ransomware causing prolonged downtime and significant financial loss (Australian Cyber Security Centre, 2024).
At the same time, networks are under strain from growing digital learning demands, and tools like AI and IoT are reshaping classrooms. Staying ahead of these trends is essential for schools aiming to secure their environments while unlocking new opportunities.
In this blog, we’ll explore eight key IT developments shaping private education in 2025 and share practical insights to help IT teams prepare for a smarter digital future.
1. AI-Driven Personalisation for School Systems
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education with adaptive learning platforms that assess individual student strengths and weaknesses. Tools like intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading platforms, and predictive analytics provide real-time feedback and insights, freeing up educators to focus on personalised instruction while identifying at-risk students for tailored interventions.
But AI isn’t just for classrooms—IT teams can leverage AI to optimise network performance, detect potential security threats, and streamline IT management, making infrastructure as adaptive as the learning tools it supports.
The Facts:
Schools using AI-based platforms have reported up to a 30% improvement in student engagement and accelerated academic progress (Australian AI in Education Report, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Develop an AI usage policy addressing security, privacy, and ethical considerations.
Assess existing infrastructure to ensure it can handle AI workloads.
Explore AI-driven IT management tools to monitor networks and enhance operational efficiency, particularly for time poor IT teams.
2. The Cybersecure Classroom
As classrooms embrace digital tools and cloud services, the attack surface for cybercriminals grows. Email phishing remains a primary entry point, with private schools particularly targeted due to the volume of sensitive data they handle.
A cybersecure classroom is essential for three key reasons:
Fulfill the required duty of care to students and staff to take proactive action to limit their exposure to cybercrime and maintain compliance with Australia’s Cyber Security Bill 2024.
Prevent disruption to learning and downtime.
Prevent damage from financial loss, data loss and reputational damage.
Advanced security solutions, including cloud-managed systems, provide real-time monitoring and automated responses to cyber threats, reducing the strain on IT teams while safeguarding the classroom environment.
The Facts:
Cyberattacks in Australian schools rose by 35% in 2024, with ransomware causing prolonged downtime and significant financial loss (Australian Cyber Security Centre, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Deploy firewalls, multi-factor authentication, and endpoint protection.
Regularly conduct vulnerability assessments and simulate phishing attempts to train staff.
Use real-time monitoring tools like Secure Data or integrated security systems available through solutions like Cisco Meraki to automate threat detection and prevention.
3. Wi-Fi 7 and Beyond
Digital classrooms, AR/VR integration, and IoT devices demand ultra-reliable, high-speed connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 offers the performance and capacity schools need to eliminate bottlenecks, support ultra-HD video, and manage multi-device classrooms seamlessly. Outdated networks fall short of these demands, risking interruptions to critical teaching and learning activities.
Cloud-managed network solutions ensure scalability and performance optimisation, making it easier for IT teams to support next-generation wireless connectivity.
The Facts:
Schools adopting Wi-Fi 7 can achieve up to 75% faster speeds and accommodate a 4x increase in connected devices (Tech Connectivity Insights, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Plan network refreshes with long-term scalability in mind.
Evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO) when upgrading.
Consider cloud-managed Wi-Fi solutions, like those offered by Cisco Meraki, to streamline deployment and ongoing management.
4. Immersive Learning with AR/VR
Augmented and Virtual Reality are breaking down barriers in education, offering interactive experiences like virtual field trips, historical recreations, and STEM experiments. While these tools enrich the curriculum, their successful implementation requires robust IT infrastructure, including high-bandwidth networks and secure, reliable devices.
The Facts:
AR/VR increases knowledge retention rates by 40% and significantly boosts student engagement (EdTech Insights, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Ensure high-speed internet and local processing power to support AR/VR tools.
Establish policies to prevent misuse of devices or unauthorised software downloads.
Adopt platforms with centralised device and network management for easier oversight.
5. Enhanced Physical Security
Physical security technologies such as smart locks, facial recognition, and advanced surveillance systems are crucial for modern schools. These systems integrate with IT networks to streamline monitoring, access control, and emergency response.
The Facts:
Modern security systems not only protect students but also reduce insurance costs and improve emergency response times. However, privacy requirements must also be considered.
In Action for IT:
Implement unified security systems that integrate with existing networks.
Use smart sensors and access control tools that are manageable through cloud-based dashboards, such as those offered by Cisco Meraki.
6. Sustainable Network Refresh
Sustainability is no longer a secondary consideration—it’s a critical component of IT strategy. Energy-efficient switches, routers, and cloud-based management tools help reduce operational costs and environmental impact, while future-proofing the school’s infrastructure for smart learning environments.
The Facts:
Schools focusing on sustainability have seen up to a 20% reduction in energy costs (Sustainability Education Index, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Upgrade to energy-efficient devices and cloud-managed solutions to reduce waste and optimise resources.
Consider lifecycle management tools to track ROI and reduce costs associated with hardware replacement.
7. Global Connectivity and Remote Learning
Whilst thankfully we are no longer home schooling, the need for hybrid and remote learning has remained and are now integral to education. IT systems are required to support seamless video conferencing, real-time collaboration, and translation tools. Robust connectivity and integrated platforms ensure students and staff can access resources from anywhere.
The Facts:
Over 60% of Australian schools now use hybrid learning models, relying heavily on IT to ensure connectivity and collaboration (Analytics Insight, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Optimise Wi-Fi coverage and bandwidth for reliable performance.
Deploy cloud-based collaboration platforms that integrate with school management systems for a unified experience.
8. Building Smart Campuses with IoT
IoT is enabling schools to become intelligent ecosystems, with automated lighting, heating, and security systems creating safer, more efficient environments. However, these advancements bring new security challenges that must be addressed through robust management and monitoring.
Explore technologies such as Cisco Meraki Adaptive Policy which enhances the ecosystem by enforcing context-aware security policies, ensuring that IoT devices such as smart boards, surveillance systems, and environmental sensors operate securely. This solution protects sensitive student and operational data while maintaining seamless network performance .
The Facts:
Smart campus adoption is increasing by 30% annually in Australia, driven by schools reducing energy costs and improving campus safety (EdTech Australia, 2024).
In Action for IT:
Integrate IoT networks with existing infrastructure while securing endpoints.
Use cloud-managed dashboards to monitor and optimise IoT devices in real time.
HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS:
“Our partnership with Murdoch Webster Technology Group (MWTG) has been invaluable. We have experienced a level of professionalism and expertise that has significantly contributed to the success of our ICT initiatives.”
“We initially began our collaboration with MWTG on Cisco Meraki Switching and Security cameras, and most recently completed a Wi-Fi deployment to complement the Cisco Meraki stack. Their team demonstrated a deep understanding of our needs and provided tailored solutions that perfectly aligned with our goals. MWTG's suggestions, such as adopting our Enterprise Agreement, have delivered us cost-effective solutions while supporting the community-focused growth of our school.
Beyond the technical aspects, MWTG has been a strategic partner, offering innovative recommendations and strategic advice that have been instrumental in our continued success. Their commitment to excellence and their proactive approach have made a significant impact on our operations.
We value our collaboration with Murdoch Webster for their unwavering support, insightful guidance, and dedication to helping us achieve our objectives. Their contributions have not only enhanced our technological capabilities but have also fostered a strong sense of partnership and trust. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with MWTG and achieving even greater milestones together.”
ADAM RATCLIFFE, IT MANAGER
DAMASCUS COLLEGE
Transform Learning with Murdoch Webster and Cisco Meraki
Murdoch Webster specialises in protecting, transforming and evolving IT and networking for private schools.
Our vision is to uplift the standard of IT services in Australia by delivering outcome-driven Cyber, Networking, & Infrastructure Solutions without shortcuts or compromises.
After surveying the market, we found that Cisco Meraki’s comprehensive suite of cloud-managed IT solutions offers schools unmatched security, scalability, and efficiency. We’re proud to provide a Managed Network Service enhanced by Cisco Meraki technology.
Cisco Meraki was selected due to their extensive futureproofed solutions, including Wi-Fi 7 for next-generation connectivity, MX security appliances to protect against cyber threats, smart cameras for enhanced campus safety, advanced switching to optimise network performance, and the ThousandEyes platform for network monitoring, schools gain seamless management and superior visibility across their IT environments.
Our clients love Meraki due to the ease of management through the Meraki dashboard, which also often contributes to lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over the lifecycle compared to alternatives.
Don’t just take our word for it—seeing is believing.
Experience the benefits of Cisco Meraki for yourself with the Try & Buy Program. Place a Meraki device, such as an access point in your library, and see its impact on your school’s learning environment and IT operations.
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Contact Murdoch Webster to discuss your 2025 goals and challenges.
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