MOBILE PHONES – SCHOOL POLICY STATEMENT

Rationale

There are a significant number of students who bring mobile phones to school. Whilst the school recognizes the practicality of mobile phones for before and after school emergencies and/or other family arrangements, the school must place the safety of all students and staff ahead of the desire for instant communication.

Our policy towards students with such phones includes:

* Mobile phones must be switched off during school hours, including break times.
* Students who are observed using their phones in class or during break times will have their phones confiscated for the remainder of the day. Phones can be picked up from the Deputy Principal in charge of the students' year at 3:25 pm.
* Students whose phones are confiscated more than once in any 12-month period will be suspended for continual disobedience.
* Students phones must be kept in school bags or pockets. In other words, out of sight. They are not to be used as calculators, watches or any other function they may perform.
* Students who need to contact their parents urgently should report to the Office. It is not acceptable to the school that students use their mobile phone to ring their parents, even if they are feeling sick.

Parents who need to contact their children urgently should phone the school and not their child's mobile phone. This will assist in the implementation of this policy and will support teachers in their duty of care.

This policy is essential in order to:

* Ensure a degree of supervision of students who may telephone 'friends' outside the school for inappropriate reasons.
* Ensure that key personnel are aware of problems related to student illness or 'disturbance' prior to contact with parents.
* Ensure that teaching and learning in the classroom is uninterrupted.
* Ensure that students accept responsibility for the care and use of their mobile phones.

The school takes no responsibility for lost or damaged mobile phones.

 

Elderslie High School

* Hilder St. Narellan NSW 2567
* Ph:02 46581110
* Fax:02 46580219
* Email:elderslie-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

 

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