Digital Technologies

Mobile Communication Devices

Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) guidelines surrounding mobile phones usage during school hours were updated from January 2020. The policy states:

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, so that teachers can teach, and students can learn in a more focused, positive and supported environment.

More information can be found at https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/students-using-mobile-phones/policy. 

This policy is inclusive of all mobile communication devices, including iPads and watches. 

Communication between parents and students via digital technologies during school hours is not permitted. If parents or students need to communicate to each other, all parties are advised to contact our school office and discuss their requirements.

BYOD: Bring Your Own Digital Device Program

The ENPS 1:1 Bring Your Own Digital Device Program (BYOD) is in place for students in Years Three to Six. As a school, we recommend iPad as the preferred device for our students as they offer a more comprehensive choice of apps, have a consistent, reliable and secure operating system, and their portability and flexibility support individual student learning needs. For more information about digital devices and digital citizenship, please see the Digital Technologies information and the BYOD program on our webpage at https://www.enps.vic.edu.au/elearning.