Mobile Phone Policy - DoE

Effective 3rd February 2020, the Department of Education will implement a Mobile Phone Policy in public schools. This will replace the school's current Mobile Telephone & Electronic Items Management Policy.

Policy Rules

• Implement a ban on the use of mobile phones for all students from the time they arrive to the conclusion of the school day (“off and away all day”) unless the student has been granted an exemption for the following uses of mobile phones:

 to monitor a health condition as part of a school approved documented health care plan; or

 for a particular educational purpose under the direct instruction of a teacher; or

 with permission of a teacher for a specified purpose.

• Implement the following rules for students in different year levels:

 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession during the school day; and

 students from Year 7 to 12 are permitted to be in possession of their mobile phone during the school day, however, mobile phones must be turned off and neither seen nor heard;

• Require students to put their smart watches in ‘aeroplane mode’ so phone calls and messages cannot be sent or received during the school day;

• Determine an appropriate storage approach for mobile phones for students from Kindergarten to Year 6; and

• Manage breaches of this policy in accordance with the Student Behaviour in Public Schools Policy and Procedures.

For the purposes of this policy, ‘mobile phones’ includes smart watches, other electronic communication devices, and associated listening accessories, such as, but not limited to, headphones and ear buds. “Off and away all day” includes before school and at break times. Schools may choose, in consultation with the school community, to maintain or introduce a mobile phone policy that imposes further restrictions than those set out in this policy e.g. Year 7 to 12 students are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession during the school day.

All communication between parents and students, during school hours, should occur via the school’s administration.

For multiple offences of non-compliance with this policy, student phones may require collection by a parent/carer or loss of good standing.

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