Cisco Connects Remote Kids to Schools Spectacular Rehearsal via Live Interactive Video Link Up

SYDNEY, Australia, December 5, 2005 - Cisco Systems® has provided an Internet Protocol (IP) videoconferencing solution to help remote schools participate in a major dance rehearsal of the New South Wales Department of Education's Schools Spectacular event.

The solution, based on the Cisco® integrated services router, has allowed a breakthrough in the way students from regional NSW rehearse for the event by linking them in real-time videoconferencing with the main Sydney-based rehearsal.

Since 1984 the annual Schools Spectacular has showcased the singing and dancing talents of approximately 3,000 students from across the New South Wales public school system. Months of practice culminate in a combined dance rehearsal in late October, followed by three public performances in late November which attract audiences in excess of 30,000 people. The theme this year is The Face of Australia, to be staged at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on November 25 and 26.

In a first for the New South Wales Department of Education, a live interactive video link-up over the Cisco network was established at this year's rehearsal between dance choreographer Peter Cook, who was on location at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with hundreds of student dancers, and two groups of students in regional Australia. It was not possible for the remote students, from James Fallon High School in Albury and Kingscliff High on Far North Coast of New South Wales, to attend the rehearsal.

To ensure the remote students could participate in the rehearsal, the two schools were sent a self-installable videoconferencing unit. The same unit was set up at the Sydney Entertainment Centre as thousands of school students arrived to rehearse. Telstra connected the Department's broadband network to the site for the day and the circuit was terminated on a Cisco 2821 integrated services router. As a result, the students at the remote schools could see the movements and directions of Mr. Cook during the rehearsal and he could see them.

The result of link-up was that the time and effort involved in learning their dance moves was dramatically reduced. In previous years, the Department had relied on posting a VHS tape of dance moves to school teachers who then passed on the moves to students.

Schools Spectacular Producer Dianne Duff said the network enabled students in remote areas of NSW to feel like they were part of the show and allowed them to learn a critical piece of choreography for the finale.

Ms Duff said; "In the past only the metropolitan dancers have been able to attend this important rehearsal because of the distances involved. This year kids from remote areas of NSW were able to participate for the first time in real time via the Internet Protocol network. This incredibly innovative use of technology was critical because it allowed us to virtually have all the dancers all in the same space together."

The Schools Spectacular link-up on October 24 was part of Cisco's broader commitment to connected learning and interactivity. Earlier this year the New South Wales Department of Education installed 2,400 Cisco integrated services routers across New South Wales schools and Technical and Further Education (TAFEs) to significantly extend the capability of its broadband network.

Ross Fowler, Cisco managing director, Australia and New Zealand, said "The field of education is an important one for Cisco and we are delighted to be able to help build next-generation learning environments for Australian students."

About the New South Wales Department of Education and Training

The NSW Department of Education and Training delivers high-quality education and training services from early childhood education through to post-compulsory education and training. It is the largest single organisation, public or private, in Australia. See www.det.nsw.edu.au for further information.