Consolidating our
Google Workspace

Trinitas Academy Trust is moving to a single Google tenant. Use the guides below to prepare for the move and manage your new account.

Migration Timeline

A step-by-step roadmap of what to expect during the transition.

0-1

Kickoff & Discovery

The journey begins with the Staff Show & Tell, followed by data audits and hardware readiness checks.

2

The "Domain Dance"

We reclaim the school domain and transition it to the new tenant, ensuring your email address is ready for the move.

3

Background Sync

IT migrates your legacy email history and shared departmental data (K: & S: drives) in the background.

4

Cutover Day

Old systems become "Read-Only". We flip the switch to Google and provision your new shared mailboxes and calendars.

5

Support & Cleanup

Post-migration hypercare begins. IT is on-site to assist with account setup, scanning, and label management.

1. Pre-Migration

To be completed before your school's cutover date.

💻

Local Computer Files

Files stored locally on your desktop, laptop, or Surface Pro.

☁️

Personal Google Drive

Any files you currently store in your individual OLD school Google account.

🗑️

Data ROT Week Guide

Redundant: Duplicates.
Obsolete: Outdated info.
Trivial: Non-work files.
The Golden Rule: Identify ROT data and move it to the 00 - DO_NOT_MIGRATE folder on your current server drive.
📂

Moving Local Files Guide

1. Sign in to drive.google.com with your new account ending in @school.trinitasat.org.

2. Create a folder named "Computer Backup".

3. Highlight your local files in File Explorer and drag them directly into the Google Drive browser window.

☁️

Google Takeout Guide

1. Sign in to your OLD school Google account at takeout.google.com/transfer.

2. Enter your new @school.trinitasat.org email and verify the code sent to your new inbox.

3. Crucial: DESELECT Gmail. Only transfer "Google Drive" files.

2. Post-Migration

Essential setup once you are logged into your new @school.trinitasat.org account.

✉️ Emails & Mobile


📧

Using Gmail for the First Time

Understanding the difference between Folders and Labels.

The "Post-it Note" Concept

Gmail uses Labels. Think of them as tags or post-it notes rather than physical folders. An email can have multiple labels at once without creating copies.

Locating Migrated Data

Your old folder structures appear as labels in the left sidebar. Subfolders appear as "Folder/Subfolder" (e.g., Inbox/Resources).

Video Walkthrough: Gmail Labels

FeatureOld FoldersGoogle Labels
LocationExactly one folder.Multiple tags at once.
OrganizationHidden when moved."Archive" removes the Inbox tag but keeps the email safe.
🧹 Cleanup: If your migrated labels look messy, you can create a new "Archive" label, select your old emails, and apply the new tag to simplify your sidebar.
📥

Shared Mailboxes Guide

Accessing office and departmental accounts.

Accepting Delegation

Check your inbox for a delegation invitation and click the link to confirm your access.

Switching Profiles

Click your Profile Picture (top right) in Gmail. Select the shared mailbox to open it in a new tab.

📧 Send As: IT pre-configures permissions so your sent mail looks official.
📱

Mobile Setup Guide

Configure your Trust account on your phone.

The Gmail App

Download the Official Gmail App. Native mail apps often fail to show labels correctly.

Adding Accounts

Sign in with your @school.trinitasat.org credentials. Switch by tapping your profile icon.

📱 Ensure you use your standard network password to sign in.

📁 Files & Folders


📂

Using Google Shared Drives

Accessing collaborative school data in the cloud.

Your Collaborative Hub

Shared Drives (e.g., JUB-Admin) have replaced legacy K: and S: drives. These are the primary home for departmental resources and planning.

Permanent Ownership

Unlike "My Drive," the Trust owns the data here. Files stay even if staff members leave, ensuring continuity for the school.

Video Walkthrough: Shared Drives

FeatureLegacy Drives (K:)Google Shared Drives
LocationFixed letters on PC."Shared Drives" tab in Drive.
AccessOnly on-site or via VPN.Accessible on any device.
🔍 Pro Tip: Use the search bar at the top of Drive to find any resource in seconds. It searches within Shared Drives automatically!
🏢

Personal vs. Collaborative Storage

Intended behaviors for My Drive and Shared Drives.

My Drive (Personal)

Your professional workspace for individual drafts and private logs.

Shared Drives (Team)

The primary home for departmental resources and school policies.

ContextMy DriveShared Drives
OwnershipIndividual.The Trust.
If you leaveFiles eventually removed.Data stays for team.
💡 Goal: School resources must be in Shared Drives for continuity.
🖨️

Scanning Documents

Understanding the shift from 'Scan to Folder' to 'Scan to Email'.

What is changing?

With the retirement of our local file servers, the old Scan to Folder method has been replaced with Scan to Email.

  • Same Hardware: You will still use the same physical photocopiers and login in the same way.
  • New Destination: Instead of searching for a file on your computer's drive, your scan will appear instantly in your Gmail inbox.

The New Process

1.

Log in to the photocopier as usual.

2.

Select the Scan to Email option on the screen.

3.

Search for your name/email in the Address Book.

4.

Press Start; the file will be sent to your @school.trinitasat.org inbox.

Comparison: Old vs. New Scanning

Feature Legacy (Scan to Folder) New (Scan to Email)
Select Destination Choose a server path. Select your name from the Address Book.
File Access Browse to the 'Scans' folder on your PC. Open the attachment in your Gmail Inbox.
Availability Only available while on the school network. Accessible anywhere you can check your email.
📥

Filing Your Scans

Once you receive your scan in Gmail, you can easily save it to your Google Drive by hovering over the attachment and clicking the Add to Drive icon.

🎓 Professional Development


Google Educator Training

Free certification and AI training for all staff.

For Educators & Faculty

Google offers comprehensive, self-paced training pathways designed to help both teaching and faculty staff navigate the new Google ecosystem effectively.

Embracing AI

Learn how to leverage Google's generative AI tools to automate repetitive tasks, draft resources, and enhance productivity across your school.

Get Certified

Access the Google for Education Learning Center to register for courses.

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from the Jubilee pilot and Day 1 support.

Email & Communication

Will my email address change?
Yes. Your new address is firstname.surname@school.trinitasat.org. However, any mail sent to your old address will still reach you automatically.
Where are my folders? I only see "Labels."
In Gmail, folders are called Labels. They work the same way, but allow you to tag one email with multiple categories. Find them all in your left-hand sidebar.
How do I access the school "Admin" mailbox?
Click your Profile Picture in the top right of Gmail. You will see any shared mailboxes you have access to listed there. Click one to open it in a new tab.

Files & Storage

Where has the K: (or S:) drive gone?
Shared school drives are now Google Shared Drives. Open Google Drive and click "Shared Drives" on the left menu to find your departmental files.
Can I still use Microsoft Word and Excel?
Yes. You can store and edit Word/Excel files directly in Google Drive. For the best experience, we recommend clicking "File > Save as Google Doc" once the file is open.

Microsoft vs. Google

Can I still use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint?

Yes, absolutely. You are not "blocked" from using Microsoft tools. However, the Trust is moving to a Google-First approach for all new collaborative work.

Google Drive is fully compatible with Microsoft files—you can even edit a Word document directly in your browser without ever opening the Word app.

Why are we being asked to use Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides for new work?

The primary reason is Real-Time Collaboration. Unlike standard Microsoft desktop apps, Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides allow multiple staff members to plan, edit, and comment on the same document at the same time.

It also provides Instant Auto-Save and a full version history, meaning you never have to worry about "saving" or losing a file again.

Furthermore, you will be able to leverage all the other tools that Google provide directly within your documents.

How do I move my old Word/PowerPoint files into Google?

Simply drag and drop your Microsoft files into your Google Drive. You can keep them in their original format, or you can convert them to Google format by opening the file and selecting File > Save as Google Doc. This will give you access to the full suite of collaboration tools.

Apps & Support

Do I have to use the Gmail app on my phone?
Strongly Recommended. Standard phone mail apps often hide your "Labels" (folders). The official Gmail app ensures you see your data correctly.
My ActiveInspire flipcharts won't open!
Google does not play "Flipcharts" natively. We recommend exporting your essential lessons as PDFs to view them easily on your new system.
What is "Data ROT"?
It stands for Redundant, Obsolete, and Trivial data. We ask all staff to delete "ROT" files before the move to keep our new system organized.