Epping Secondary College’s aim is to ensure a positive, constructive and safe environment for students and staff members to allow for teaching and learning to be the school’s key focus and core business.

In achieving this, please be aware of the following processes below relating to:

Student mobile phone and Airpods use;
Correctly wearing school uniform;
School canteen and mobile phone use;
Smoke/vape detectors in the school.

STUDENT MOBILE PHONE USE DURING SCHOOL HOURS

From Term 1, 2020 a new mobile device policy was introduced across all Victorian government schools.

The policy means mobile phones, and other devices including Airpods and headphones brought to school by students must be switched off and stored securely during the school day.

The aim of this policy is to provide:

A safe environment to learn without inappropriate mobile phone use (including cyberbullying) or distractions;
Greater opportunities for social interaction and physical activity during recess and lunchtimes.

The use of technology is important, but the risks and benefits from its use need to be managed.

In emergencies, parents can contact their children through the school office.

A small number of exceptions exist related to this policy.

These exceptions will only be available if a mobile phone is essential for a student in:

Managing a health condition;
Classroom learning.

Teachers may, if absolutely necessary, grant a classroom-based learning exception. Other exceptions are managed by the school principal.

In supporting this policy, a safe school and learning environment, and Epping Secondary College’s Code of Behaviour, any student who is found with their mobile phone, airpods, headphones or any other banned device at school during school hours and refuses to hand this over to a staff member will receive one day external suspension.

Students will be made aware of this in their first assemblies at the beginning of 2024.

In relation to students who are found to have their device during school time, and who do hand their device to a staff member upon request, Epping Secondary College’s policy regarding devices states:

If a student uses their device at any point when they are not permitted, the following steps will be followed:

1st Offence – device handed to the member of staff and to be collected from the Front Office at the end of the day by the student (logged onto XUNO);
2nd Offence – device handed to the member of staff and taken to the Front Office to be collected by a parent/guardian of the student (logged onto XUNO, Office staff call home to inform);
Any repeat of device misuse will result in processes and sanctions at the school’s discretion put into place.

At the beginning of 2024 there will be a very strong student management focus on the school’s mobile device policy, including the use of airpods during school time.

Staff will regularly and routinely scan the school yard and classrooms, confiscating both phones and airpods if these are visible without explicit teacher permission.

Student and parent/carer cooperation with this is appreciated, in order to ensure a positive and safe learning environment.

If you have any queries about this, please contact the school’s Principal Team.

UNIFORM

At the beginning of 2024 a strong emphasis will be placed on all Epping Secondary College students attending school in full uniform.

In the event that a student does not have adequate uniform, the school will do everything to assist with this, by way of State School Relief and/or by utilising the large range of spare uniform the school has.

Students who refuse to wear the correct uniform will receive consequences in line with the school’s Code of Behaviour.

CANTEEN

From the beginning of 2024 students will line up to purchase items from the school canteen under the new shade sails that have been installed in front of the canteen. This will mean a decrease in crowding in the enclosed section of the canteen where students are served.

We ask that all parents/carers ensure their children have access to a bank card or smartwatch in order to make canteen purchases, as mobile phones are not permitted to be used by students on the school grounds during the school day.

Your cooperation with this is greatly appreciated, in adhering to the Department of Education and Training’s phone policy.

SMOKE/VAPE DETECTORS

Thank you to all students for their cooperation with the installation of smoke/vape detectors in student toilets.

The number of times per day that detectors activate has decreased significantly since installation, and we thank students and parents/carers for their consideration and cooperation with this.

We hope this decrease indicates a reduction in students smoking and vaping generally, and also in doing this on the premises.

There is also a decrease in property damage at school due to toilet blockages, which saves the school from unnecessary additional costs.

Thank you – and please continue to consider your health, and a better school environment for everyone.

Kind regards,

Annette Spence

Assistant Principal

Positive Climate for Learning

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