Principal's News
Mobile Phone Policy
Last year the Minister of Education published the new Department Mobile Phones Policy. As a result all state schools were directed to develop their own policy in accordance with the Department Policy. Malvern Primary School’s policy was ratified at the last School Council meeting.
The school’s policy is attached to this page and I would encourage families who are considering purchasing a smart device or phone for their child, or are already sending these devices to school, to read the policy and discuss it with their child.
We understand that students may be bringing a personal mobile phone to school, particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school.
At Malvern Primary School:
- students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours. Personal mobile phones must not be used during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted.
- exceptions to this policy may apply for a health and wellbeing-related condition (please contact the Principal or classroom teacher).
- when emergencies occur, parents or carers should reach their child by calling the school’s office.
A mobile phone is a telephone with access to a cellular (telecommunication) system, with or without a physical connection to a network. For the purpose of the policy, “mobile phone” refers to mobile phones and any device that may connect to or have a similar functionality to a mobile phone such as smart watches.
Secure storage
Students are encouraged not to bring a mobile phone to school unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Where students bring a mobile phone to school, they are required to store their phones securely inside their school bags, which will be kept in a secure location.
Enforcement
Inappropriate use of mobile phones is any use during school hours, unless an exception has been granted. 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
All staff are responsible for the implementation of the Mobile Phones Policy. Students who use their mobile phone will be asked to hand it in and collect it at the end of the school day. Parents will be notified.
Camps, excursions and extracurricular activities
We 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.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
How You Can Help
Parents are asked to assist us with the implementation of this policy by:
- reading and talking to your child about the policy. Teachers have already started these conversations with the students.
- not sending mobile phones or smart watches to school unless they are absolutely necessary. These devices are expensive and easily damaged and the school does not take responsibility for their safety.
- not trying to contact your child during the school day on their mobile phone or smart watch. Please contact the office if you need to contact your child urgently.
- not encouraging or requesting your child to contact you on their mobile phone or smart watch during the school day.
- ensuring your child's smart watch is set to class mode (or similar) where they are unable to send or receive communications during the school day.
Robyn James