Year 9 students at Port Macquarie High School will receive free laptops from the state government next week.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Mini 10 computers are built for the classroom.

They feature high-resolution screens, spill-resistant keyboards, long battery life and “airbag” technology to protect information stored on the hard drive.

They also have software that blocks social networking websites such as Facebook, so students do not get distracted in class.

About 160 students will receive the laptops on Monday.

Year 9 deputy and acting principal Darryl Mason said the students were excited about the computers.

“It means a totally different way of being able to research their work,” he said.

The notebook computers mark a shift away from “teacher-directed learning” towards “student-centred learning”, he said.

“So, rather than just spoon feed them all the time, we can actually direct them to get their notes.

“It helps them in the long run to access that type of learning.”

Students will punch away at computers in most classes.

It is the second year 9 group at Port High to receive the computers.

More than 65,000 laptops were given to students across the state last year, including in Port Macquarie.

Mr Mason said students took to the laptops with gusto last year.

“From the school’s point of view, it is good to see kids at recess and lunchtime access their laptops then,” he said.

The school employs a technology support officer to help when the computers break.

NSW education minister Verity Firth said 400 such officers had been employed across the state.

The NSW Government also was spending $16 million to provide every high school teacher with a laptop, she said.