Calrossy Anglican School

Calrossy Secondary

Important information for Secondary Parents

 

Dear parents and carers,

 

We are writing to share the news that Calrossy Anglican School is building on our existing mobile phone stance to become a phone-free site as a way to strengthen our approach to mobile phones. We believe that this will improve the teaching, learning and wellbeing of our students. The Yondr pouch system has been used across the world in over 1,000 schools, as well as for concerts, theatre performances, business sites, camps, and special events of all kinds. The YONDR experience is a means of reclaiming student concentration and social competence in the secondary school setting, and in what is a critical period of social, emotional, and intellectual development. The goal of these phone pouches is to encourage people to engage with each other and rebuild their thinking and listening skills.

 

We believe that mobile phones have great utility, but countless studies and observation of students reveals learning and social behaviour improve drastically when students are fully engaged with their teachers and classmates without the distraction of mobile phones.

 

As a school we are planning on rolling out the pouches to students on Day 1 (Tuesday 31st January) 2023. This allows us to prepare well as a school for students, staff and parents prior to this commencing.

 

The Yondr Program employs a simple, lockable pouch that stores a mobile phone. Every student will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school. Students will retain their phones throughout the day and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times. Identifying names will be marked on each pouch. It is the student’s responsibility to always have their Yondr pouch in their bags and to switch their phone off before placing it in the pouch. At Calrossy, this will be checked at the beginning of each day in Mentor group.

 

We are encouraged by the effects of this system in a range of learning institutions. Yondr has been implemented across NSW including local area schools such as Guyra Central, Inverell High, Wauchope, Casino, Maclean High, Murwillumbah High, Grafton High, Armidale High School and so on. It is not unusual or unique.  Yondr surveyed over 900 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:

 

  • 65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance
  • 74% of schools saw an improvement in student behaviour
  • 83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom

 

We believe that the Yondr system will enhance our school learning environment and build on the creative, cognitive, and social skills of our students. At all times our focus is on creating an environment for the most effective learning to take place and mobile phones play a significant part in detracting from our students’ concentration, social competence, and emotional wellbeing.

 

We are aware that there may be some initial logistical problems. While, any new program or installation must be integrated into existing structures. A team of staff are working hard to ensure a smooth rollout and uptake in 2023. There will be more information to come with specific procedures in place. This letter is simply to inform our community of the direction the school is taking.

 

 

 

 

Stephen Price                          Julia Boland                             Conrad Starr                Laura Yeo

Head of Secondary 7-9        Head of Senior Secondary   Year Advisor                Year Advisor

                                                

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What if I want to reach my child during the school day?

We want our students to be engaged in their learning. Please refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is an emergency and if it is please contact the main office at 5776 5100 to reach your child.

 

What if there is an emergency?

In case of an emergency, student safety is always our first priority. School staff will be able to unlock a Yondr pouch in a matter of seconds for students once they are in a safe and secure location. Students are trained in evacuation and lockdown procedures.

 

Will my student’s phone be safe?

Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their school bag/locker and ensure that each pouch is named. A key aspect of safety is having their phone locked in the pouch and inaccessible for others.

 

What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged?

The Yondr pouch remains the property of Calrossy Anglican School. If a student damages or tampers with a Yondr pouch, they will be held responsible. A $50 replacement fee for the damaged school property will be charged to the students account and a new pouch will be issued. Students who repeatedly damage the pouch or pin will be dealt with under the School Positive Engagement Framework.

 

Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school.

 

How can I clean my student’s Yondr pouch?

Yondr pouches can be washed in cold water for a short cycle and dried on a short cycle and/or air dried.  Pouches can also be cleaned with a disinfectant cleaner.