CPS Mobile Phone Policy

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If you need help to understand the information in this policy please contact the school office on 9571 2662

PURPOSE

To explain to our school community the Department’s and Carnegie Primary School’s policy requirements and expectations relating to students using mobile phones and other personal mobile devices that could be used for communication during school hours. 

SCOPE

This policy applies to:

1. All students at Carnegie Primary School and,
2. Students’ personal mobile phones and other personal mobile devices brought onto school premises during school hours, including recess and lunchtime.

DEFINITIONS

A mobile phone is a telephone with access to a cellular (telecommunication) system, with or without a physical connection to a network.   

For the purpose of this policy, “other personal mobile devices” refers to any device that may connect to or have a similar functionality to a mobile phone such as smart watches.

POLICY

Carnegie Primary School understands that students may bring personal mobile phones and other personal mobile devices to school, particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school.

At Carnegie Primary School:

• Students who choose to bring mobile phones and other personal mobile devices to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours
• Students who choose to bring mobile phones and other personal mobile devices to school must have them switched off and in their school bags prior to entering their classrooms and securely storing them.
• Students who choose to bring mobile phones and other personal mobile devices to school and attend OSHC must comply with the OSHC guidelines
• Exceptions to this policy may be applied if certain conditions are met (see below for further information)
• When emergencies occur, parents/carers should reach their child by calling the school office on 9571 2662.

Personal mobile phone use 

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones and other personal mobile devices must not be used at Carnegie Primary School during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted. 

Where a student has been granted an exception, the student must use their mobile phone for the purpose for which the exception was granted, and in a safe, ethical and responsible manner.

Secure storage

Mobile phones and other personal mobile devices owned by students at Carnegie Primary School are considered valuable items and are brought to school at the owner’s (student’s or parent/carer’s) risk.  Students are encouraged not to bring a mobile phone to school unless there is a compelling reason to do so.  Please note that Carnegie Primary School does not have accident insurance for accidental property damage or theft. Students and their parents/carers are encouraged to obtain appropriate insurance for valuable items.  

Where students bring a mobile phone and/or other personal mobile devices to school, Carnegie Primary School will provide secure storage. Secure storage is storage that cannot be readily accessed by those without permission to do so. Students are required to hand their mobile phone and/or other personal mobile devices to their teacher at 9am. 

Enforcement

Students who use their personal mobile phones and/or other personal mobile devices inappropriately at Carnegie Primary School may be issued with consequences consistent with our ICT Acceptable Use Agreement.  

At Carnegie Primary School inappropriate use of mobile phones and/or other personal mobile devices is any use during school hours, unless an exception has been granted:

• in any way that disrupts the learning of others 
• to send inappropriate, harassing or threatening messages or phone calls
• to engage in inappropriate social media use including cyber bullying
• to capture video or images of people, including students, teachers and members of the school community without their permission
• to capture video or images in the school toilets, changing rooms, swimming pools and gyms
• during exams and assessments

Exceptions 

Exceptions to the policy:

• may be applied during school hours if certain conditions are met, specifically,
  • Health and wellbeing-related exceptions; and
  • Exceptions related to managing risk when students are offsite.
• can be granted by the principal, or by the teacher for that class, in accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy. 

The three categories of exceptions allowed under the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy are:

1. Learning-related exceptions

2. Health and wellbeing-related exceptions

3. Exceptions related to managing risk when students are offsite

Where an exception is granted, the student can only use the mobile phone for the purpose for which it was granted. 

Camps, excursions and extracurricular activities

 Carnegie Primary School will provide students and their parents and carers with information about items that can or cannot be brought to camps, excursions, special activities and events, including personal mobile phones and other personal mobile devices.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to 

• Out-of-school-hours events
• Travelling to and from school
•  

COMMUNICATION

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways: 

• Available publicly on our school’s website (or insert other online parent/carer/student communication method)
• Included in staff induction processes and staff training
• Included in school newsletter 
• Included in staff handbook/manual
• Discussed at annual staff briefings/meetings 
• Included in transition and enrolment packs
• Hard copy available from school administration upon request

RELATED POLICIES AND RESOURCES 

• Bullying prevention policy
• Child safety code of conduct
• Child safety policy
• Student wellbeing and engagement 
• Mobile Phones — Student Use Policy
• Weapons — Banning, Searching and Seizing Harmful Items
• Claims for Property Damage and Medical Expenses policy

POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL