Policy Manual / 800 RESOURCES
841 Electronic Equipment - Mobile Phones / Council Meeting:
September 2005
Information: 1800 641 943 / DEECD Schools Reference Guide: Section 4.15 / Revised: May 2014
Manager: Principal / Related Policies: 721 Student Code of Conduct / Issue No: 1.5
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT - MOBILE PHONES
RATIONALE:
This policy is intended to be consistent with DEECD advice, as originally provided in (Circular 038/2005). Mobile phones and portable electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) are important modern day communication and organisation tools that have become commonplace. They can assist in the provision of a productive, safe and effective school environment. However, they can easily be improperly used, lost or damaged and must therefore be effectively managed. Schools and colleges can make reasonable rules about what students can and cannot bring to school. They can ban anything which is illegal, dangerous or is likely to cause disruption or harm to the smooth running of the school and the education of other students. The use of mobile phones and similar electronic devices in class can be disruptive to the learning environment of students and should be discouraged. It is acknowledged however that in some circumstances such devices can be appropriately incorporated into the learning program. Schools which decide to allow the use of mobile phones at schools should clearly and regularly advise students, parents and guardians of their expectations with regard to these devices.
PURPOSE:
To utilise the benefits of mobile phones and portable electronic devices whilst managing problems they may cause.
IMPLEMENTATION:
1.Fully implement the guidelines provided by the DEECD which are as follows:
a.Mobile phones should not be used in any manner or place that is disruptive to the normal routine of school.
b.Students should have their mobile phones switched off and out of sight during classes.
c.Students should only use their mobile phones before or after school, or during recess and lunch breaks.
d.There are times when it is genuinely appropriate and beneficial for students to have access to a mobile phone; for example, need to contact parents or guardians in emergencies.
e.The policy applies to students during school excursions, camps and extra-curricular activities.
f.It is important that students display courtesy, consideration and respect for others whenever they are using a mobile phone.
g.In-phone cameras are not to be used anywhere a normal camera would be considered inappropriate, such as in change rooms or toilets.
h.Appropriate action should be taken against any student who photographs or films other individuals without their consent or who sends harassing or threatening messages.
i.Disciplinary action should be taken against any student/s who is/are caught using a mobile phone to cheat in exams or assessments.
j.Students should ensure that their phones are always stored in a safe and secure place.
k.Mobile phones are used at their owners’ risk.
l.The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and it will generally not pay for any loss or damage to such property. Staff and students should be discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school (Circular 038/2005).
2.The school will purchase and maintain enough mobile telephones and service contracts to satisfy its needs.
3.All teachers in charge of excursions and trips involving students must ensure the school’s mobile phones or similar appropriate communications devices accompany each trip as part of normal risk management procedures.
4.Staff will be kept informed of DEECD information relating to health effects of using portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones.
5.Students will be permitted to use the school’s landline phones where there is a demonstrated genuine need to telephone parents, family or other contacts.
6.Students who bring portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones do so at their own risk and must have them switched off and out of sight during class time.
7.Responsibility for lost or damaged electronic equipment such as mobile phones and PDAs rests entirely with the student and family – the school does not accept liability for personal property.
8.Portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones and PDAs must not be used by students in classes, meetings, assemblies or similar organised activities.
9.Portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones and PDAs and students using them must not cause disruptions to classes or individuals, and must not cause a nuisance to the smooth running of the school.
10.In the event that students create a nuisance through the use of such equipment in class, meetings, assemblies or similar organised activities teachers may confiscate such equipment until the end of the school day. Where equipment is confiscated by a teacher he/she will become liable for the loss or damage of that equipment pending its return to the student. If the teacher is acting in accord with school policy and such loss or damage is beyond the control of that teacher the school will reimburse any such costs.
11.Mobile phones or PDAs that take photographs or video footage are not to be used for such purposes at school by students.
12.The school reserves the right to prohibit students from bringing portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones into certain spaces or during certain activities eg: science rooms, exam rooms, technology rooms, physical education classes etc.
13.Staff will be made aware of these guidelines; especially as they relate to the use of telephones for camps and excursions and to the use by staff of personal mobile phones during class time.
REFERENCES
- DEECD Circular 038/2005
- DEECD Circular 179/2005 - Use of Mobile Phones by Students – Deputy Secretary , Office of School Education (Darrell Fraser)
- The DEECD’s regulations and requirements in this regard are contained in the ‘Schools Reference Guide’ (SRG) – Section 4.15 (
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