Deputy Message 

Thank you to all the parents who took part in our survey about earlier this term on the mobile phone use. We were delighted with the number of you who responded and many of your comments understand support the statewide banned brought in by the Department of education

This term we have spent time with our students reminding them Department of Education has a mobile phone ban I all NSW schools . The ban requires students who bring mobiles phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away in their lockers during school hours, and when on school grounds. This applies to all school activities including off site excursions.

This has been enforced since term 4, last year and as from day one term 2 we are reinforcing this policy. All this term we have worked with our students to remind them of the policy. From the start of next term this policy will enforced across the school.

Last Wednesday morning the whole school participated in a lesson that was dedicated to explaining how this policy will be implemented at ASC, and this was reinforced in whole school assembly on the same day. We made sure all students were aware of clear expectations.

The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state. This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions.

By ensuring mobile phones are kept away at recess and lunch times, students can interact with each other face-to-face, without the distractions and social pressures that mobile phones we know cause

We are asking for the support of all our families, staff and students to support the implementation of this policy in our school.

Further information

· Emergencies: In the event of an emergency or if you need to immediately contact your child, I ask that families contact the school office who will pass on a message as required. Please ring the school directly on 67767400.

· School mobile phone policy: A copy of our school’s local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context.

· Parent support: So how can you support this?

o Discuss the mobile phone management strategy with your child.

o Remind them of their role in the process.

o Raise any questions or concerns with the school team.

o Help them moderate their phone use before returning to Term 2.

· At the canteen : Students can use cash or their bank card -or even better order online 

There is extensive research emerging on the use of mobile phones by young people and I’d like to share a few links to articles that explore this research . How smart is it to allow students to use mobile phones at school?'

 Schools need to react quickly':

And Dopamine, Smartphones & You: Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A battle for your time - Science iThis blog explains how mobile phone content can influence our ‘dopamine pathways and lead to a battle for increasingly of the users’ 􀆟me.

htp://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/dopamine-smartphones-batle-me/

• Our school values are Respect, Responsibility and  Resilience
• Please treat our staff and students with kindness and respect . 

Together, we can create a safe and harmonious environment for our students and staff.