Mobile Phone policy
Purpose
1.1. The widespread ownership of mobile phones among young people requires that parents,students, schools and teachers take steps to ensure that they are used responsibly at school, excursions, camps and extra- curricular activities. This Acceptable Use Policy is designed to ensure that potential issues involving mobile phones can be clearly identified and addressed, allowing the benefits that mobile phones may provide and can be enjoyed by students for educational use.
1.2. Tomaree High School has established an Acceptable Use Policy for Mobile Phones that provides teachers, students and parents with guidelines and instructions for the appropriate use of mobile phones at school.
1.3. Students and their parents or guardians should read, understand and agree to abide by the Acceptable Use Policy for Mobile Phones so students are clear on the permitted use and possible consequences of misuse of mobile phone in school.
2.Rationale
2.1. Tomaree High School accepts that parents give their children mobile phones to protectthem from everyday risks involving personal safety and security. It is acknowledged that providing a student with the mobile phone gives parents reassurance they can contact their child if they need to speak with them urgently outside of school hours.
2.2. Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency during the school day, the school office remains the preferred point of contact and school staff will ensure students are contacted quickly and assisted in the appropriate way.
3.Responsibility
3.1. It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones to school to abide by theguidelines outlined in this document.
4.Acceptable Uses
4.1. Mobile phones may be used before school, at breaks and after school (in accordance withdetails outlined in Section 5).
4.2. Mobile phones may not be used during lesson time (including Roll Call) or at school organised activities such as Assemblies or special events.
4.3. Exceptions may be permitted at the discretion of the teacher who is conducting the lesson or event. They will advise students if mobile phones may be used for a designated learning activity. At all other learning times, students must place their mobile phone ‘in their bag or in the box’.
5.Unacceptable Uses
5.1. Mobile phones must not be used for non-educational purposes in any manner or place thatis disruptive to the normal routine of the school.
5.2. Unless express permission is granted, mobile phones must not be used to make or receive calls, send or to reply to messages, access the internet, take photos or use any other applications during lesson time (refer 4.2)
5.3. As with all forms of bullying or harassment, using mobile phones to communicate with other students for this purpose is at odds with our school values and will not be tolerated. It is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, offend another person or document
October, 2019
illegal activities. In such cases the issue will be referred to Police or DoE legal
representatives for further advice.
5.4. Except as permitted by teachers for educational purposes, mobile phones must not be used
to photograph, film or record any member of the school community or a visitor to the
school, while on school grounds.
5.5. Mobile phones may not be used during an exam or assessment. This will be considered
cheating and the student will face academic and behavioural consequences.
6. Consequences
6.1. Students who do not meet the expectations in this policy will be subject to consequences
consistent with the school discipline policies.
6.2. Mobile phones used without permission during lessons, assemblies or other school events
will result in the confiscation of the mobile phone for the remainder of the school day.
These will be stored at the Office and can be collected at the end of the school day.
6.3. Continued refusal to comply with the mobile phone policy may result in suspension.
7. Phone Protection
7.1. The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged phones.
Confiscated phones will be stored in a padded envelope and any existing damage will be
noted.
7.2. Students are advised to mark their mobile phones clearly with their names.
7.3. Tomaree High strongly advises the use of passwords and pin numbers (and not to share
these with others) to protect mobile phones from unauthorised use
Flow chart of mobile phone use at Tomaree high school
Image: Flow chart of mobile phone use at Tomaree high school