MOBILE PHONES at ECSC in 2020

Rationale

The Victorian Government takes the safe and responsible use of digital technologies, student safety and wellbeing, and the development of social skills and positive behaviour, very seriously. On this basis, the Hon. James Merlino MP, Minister for Education, announced that a new mobile phone policy would take effect from Term 1 2020.

Whilst the Victorian Government acknowledges that we live in a technology-rich world where mobile phones are an important communication tool, research has found that mobile phones can be disruptive in classrooms and open to misuse at school. The unregulated presence of mobile phones in classrooms can undermine students’ capacity to think, learn, remember, pay attention and regulate emotion.

At recess and lunchtime, opportunities for students to communicate with each other face-to-face or be involved in physical activity are also valued, rather than students being focused on a mobile phone, particularly when they are using it to engage with social media.

This new policy acknowledges that technology is increasingly affecting how students learn and communicate. Therefore, when a student has been given explicit permission to access and use such devices to enhance learning by the classroom teacher, mobile phones will be permitted for that specific purpose. For a small number of students with particular health and wellbeing needs, an exception to the policy may also be granted.

This policy will remove a major distraction from our classrooms and yard, so that teachers can teach, and students can learn in a more focused, positive and supported environment.

Summary – Critical information

From Term 1 2020, students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored in lockers during school hours - 8.45 am - 3.10 pm
Exceptions to the policy may be applied if certain conditions are met. Exceptions can be granted by the principal, or by a teacher. Exceptions must be documented.
ECSC are in the process of developing a local Students Using Mobile Phones policy, which must include how this Ministerial policy will be implemented.
Schools will manage non-compliance with their local mobile phone policy in accordance with their existing student engagement polices.

Families and students will receive further information before the start of the 2020 school year.