Dear Families,

Mobile Phone Policy:

As all school community members should be aware, a new mobile phone policy for all Victorian government schools came into effect in 2020. This policy requires students to switch their phones off and securely store them during the school day from 9am to 3:25pm.

The policy is designed to support teaching and learning, promoting learning environments that are free from unnecessary distractions. The policy also aims to increase physical activity and socialisation at recess and lunch times.

Why is the mobile phone policy important and what is the evidence-base for it?

The state wide mobile phone policy was introduced in 2020 to reduce distractions in the classroom, reduce cyberbullying in schools and improve face-to-face interactions in the school yard.

A recent Review of the policy has found that it has reduced the use of mobile phones during school hours, with a range of benefits noted by principals and teachers, including:

greater student focus on their learning
increased student socialisation or physical activity during breaks
fewer incidents of cyberbullying during school hours
fewer critical incidents involving mobile phones during school hours.

Who does the mobile phone policy apply to?

The policy applies to all Victorian government school students.

Can my child/ren still bring a mobile phone to school?

Students can bring a mobile phone to school, but it must be turned off and stored securely during the school day. Parents can still contact their children through the school’s administration office in emergencies.

Who is responsible for my child’s mobile phone when at school?

Mobile phones brought to school are not covered by the school’s insurance if they are lost, stolen or damaged.

How do I contact my child in an emergency?

In emergencies, parents can still contact their children through their school’s administration office.

What will be the consequences for my child/ren if they are caught with a mobile phone during school hours?

Schools will enforce the policy under their existing student engagement policies.

What is my role as a parent or carer?

Parents and carers are encouraged to support their children to become safe and responsible technology users.

What advice is available to families when it comes to managing screen time and in supporting safe online behaviours?

The eSafety Commissioner provides several resources for families:

7 Tips for Managing Screen Time – Provides tips and advice on what families can do to help their child(ren) balance their time on and offline
Online Safety: A guide for parents and carers– Guide offering practical skills and advice about how to tackle the big issues associated with online activity
Screen Smart Parent Tour – Explores topics such as social media, screen time, protecting personal information, cyberbullying, contact with strangers and accessing inappropriate content.

The Department also has a number of resources for parents and students on its Bully Stoppers webpage.

Sleep Health:

While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young people are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.

Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours. For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.

Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:

low mood and irritability during social interactions
reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
falling asleep during the day
difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
changes to communicating or interacting at home.

You can help your child to improve their sleep by:

establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.

If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or wakening unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length sleep, they should see a doctor.

For more information on sleep health, you can refer to:

Sleep tips for children and Facts about sleep for parents and school staff, from the Sleep Health Foundation
Why sleep is so important, from the Kids Helpline’s
Sleep explained, from the Better Health Channel.

College Council News:

We have recently completed our call for nominations for College Council members and I am pleased to announce that the following parent members have been successful in gaining a position for College Council.

Given the number of nominations did not exceed the number of parent positions vacant, these new members are elected without the need for a ballot. Ballots were held for both DE staff Representatives and Student Representatives.

College Council for 2023 consists of:

Simon Haber – College Principal – Executive Officer
Andrea Mansell (Community Representative) – President
Angela Smith – Parent Representative – Vice President
Avi Singh – Parent Representative – Treasure
Robert Wall – Parent Representative
Sanam Makadia – Parent Representative
Carly Marriner – DE Representative
Zed Armistead – DE Representative
Djuma Kibundila – Student Representative
Rija Saeed – Student Representative

Principal Update:

Last week I informed school council that I would be finishing up at Tarneit Senior College at the end of this term, having accepted a provisional appointment as Principal of another school which I will take on at the start of term 2.

This has not been an easy decision for myself as I am truly passionate about Tarneit Senior College and the improvement journey we are on and the outcomes we are achieving for our students. I will have more to say on my departure in due course.

With regards to a new Principal being appointed for Tarneit Senior College, our Senior Education & Improvement Leader will discuss this with our school council president and school council members and then further information will be provided to the school community in due course.

Kind Regards,

Simon Haber

College Principal

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