MOBILE PHONE POLICY

MOBILE PHONE Policy 2026-2028 

Help for non-English speakers If you need help to understand this policy, please contact Glenroy College on 9304 0400 

Purpose: 

To explain to the College community the Department’s and Glenroy College’s policy requirements and expectations relating to students using mobile phones, and other personal mobile devices, during school hours.  

Scope: 

This policy applies to: 

1. All students at Glenroy College 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.   

Policy: 

Glenroy College understands that students may bring a personal mobile phone to school, particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school. 

At Glenroy College: 

• Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours 

• Exceptions to this policy may be applied if certain conditions are met (see below for further information) 

• When emergencies occur, parents or carers should reach their child by calling the College’s office. 

Personal mobile phone use  

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at Glenroy College, 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 owned by students at Glenroy College are considered valuable items and are brought to College 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 Glenroy College 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.  Refer to the  Department’s Personal Goods policy.  

Where students bring a mobile phone to school, Glenroy College will provide secure storage. Secure storage is storage that cannot be readily accessed by those without permission to do so. At Glenroy College students are required to store their phones in purpose built mobile phone lockers, which will be locked all day. 

Enforcement 

Students who use their personal mobile phones inappropriately at Glenroy College may be issued with consequences consistent with our school’s existing student engagement polices. 

At Glenroy College inappropriate use of mobile phones is anytime a mobile phone is seen or heard unless an exception has been granted by a staff member, and particularly use of a mobile phone: 

• 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 

Consequences

Mobile phones will be confiscated by staff if seen or heard.

• After the first confiscation in a school term, students may pick the phone up from their sub-school at the end of the day

• After every subsequent confiscation in the same school term, parents will be required to collect the phone from the general office.

• Students who refuse to hand their phone over upon request will receive additional consequences as per our Behaviour Management Policy

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 it was granted for. 

Camps, excursions and extracurricular activities 

Glenroy College 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. 

Exclusions 

This policy does not apply to  

• Out-of-school-hours events 

• Travelling to and from school 

• Students undertaking workplace learning activities, e.g. work experience 

• Students who are undertaking VET 

Related policies and resources: 

• Student Wellbeing and Engagement – College policy  

• Code of Conduct – College policy 

• Personal Property – College policy 

• Bullying – College policy 

• Mobile Phones – Department Policy 

• Ban, Search and Seize Harmful Items 

• Personal Goods – Department policy  

Communication: 

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

• Included in staff induction processes  
• Discussed at staff briefings or meetings, as required 
• Included in our staff policy handbook 
• Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request 
• Uploaded to our school website 

Policy Review and Approval: