Purpose
This policy provides direction to students, staff and families about managing mobile phones and other digital devices that students choose to bring to school. Digital devices include, but are not limited to, smartwatches, tablets or laptops that are not part of a separate Bring Your Own Device arrangement. This policy applies while students are at school, or attending an authorised school activity such as an excursion, during school hours.
Mobile phone use for primary school students
The department’s position is that primary aged students cannot use their mobile phones and personal devices at school during school hours. The department and the school recognise that there are legitimate reasons for students to bring a mobile phone or personal device to school. This may include:
- • to ensure their safety while travelling
- • so that parents can contact them outside of school hours.
During the school day students are not permitted to access or use their mobile phones or other personal devices. Students must switch off or mute their devices before storing them at the beginning of the school day. They will not be able to access their device until the end of the school day.
Storage of personal devices
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones and devices will be stored in a lockable cupboard in the classroom during school hours.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches without cellular capacity may be worn, however are only to be used as a timekeeping device. The associated phone must be switched off and placed in classroom lockable storage.
Smartwatches with cellular capacity are considered in the same category as a mobile phone and must be stored in classroom lockable storage.
Parents will advise teachers via a device information form about students’ mobile phones and the cellular capacity of smartwatches.
If the student does not comply
Non-compliance or misuse of personal devices may result in the device being confiscated and stored in the front office and returned to the student or parent at the end of the school day.
Students who repeatedly fail to comply will receive consequences in line with the student behaviour management policy.
Roles and responsibilities
Principal
Make sure:
- • this policy is clearly communicated and accessible to all students, staff, and families
- • there is a process for regular review of the policy
- • secure storage is provided for student personal devices that are handed in to school staff
- • processes are in place for monitoring internet and school network use by all members of the school community.
Enforce the policy and responses to instances of non-compliance.
Report and respond to incidents of inappropriate use of personal devices in line with department policy and procedures and any legislative requirements.
Consider requests for exemptions from the policy from parents on a case-by-case basis. Make sure that approved exemptions are documented and that relevant staff are informed about students’ exemptions.
Model appropriate use of mobile phones and support families to understand the importance of promoting safe, responsible and respectful use of mobile phones to their children.
School staff
Deliver learning opportunities and maintain a safe and productive learning environment. Take steps to minimise distractions from the non-educational use of personal devices in the learning environment at times when a device is being used by a student in line with an approved exemption or in circumstances where students’ devices are stored in the classroom.
Respond to instances of non-compliance in line with the school’s policy.
Report and respond to incidents of inappropriate use of personal devices in line with department policy and procedures and any legislative requirements.
Make sure that any student personal devices handed in for their care are stored in a secure location and are returned to the student (or their parent).
Model appropriate use of mobile phones and support families to understand the importance of promoting safe, responsible and respectful use of mobile phones to their children.
Students
Comply with the requirements of the school’s policy and follow all reasonable directions from the Principal and school staff.
If permitted to use a mobile phone or personal device in line with an exemption under this policy, do so in a safe, responsible and respectful way and support peers to do the same.
Communicate respectfully with others and do not use a mobile phone or other personal device to bully, harass or threaten another person.
Respect others’ rights to privacy and do not take photos, film or audio records of other people without their knowledge or permission.
Parents
Support the implementation of the school’s policy, including the consequences for non-compliance with the policy.
Use the school’s formal communication channels in all instances to communicate with the school (including where a student requires early collection from school). Encourage their child to always report to a school staff member in the first instance if they become unwell or experience an issue at school.
Recognise the important role they play in supporting their child to use their mobile phone (or other personal device) in a safe, responsible and respectful way.
Communication and review
This policy was created through consultative discussions with staff, students, parent representative committee and Governing Council. It can be found on the school website and will be reviewed in December 2021.
Supporting information
The following policies work in conjunction with this mobile phone and personal devices policy;
- • MPS behaviour support policy
- • MPS anti-bullying policy
- • ICT user agreements.
