Our policies and reports

Students’ use of Mobile Phones in Schools Management Plan

Rationale and Objectives

Macarthur Girls High School supports the restrictions of mobile phones in accordance with the NSW  Department of Education: Students’ Use of Mobile Phones in Schools policy https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-management-schools/student-use-of-mobile-phones. While mobile  phones are a part of modern society and the school accepts that many students will possess them, mobile  phone use in schools including texting, photographing, filming and accessing social media can impact student  learning and wellbeing. Restricting mobile phone use at school aims to increase focus in classrooms, remove  distractions and promote positive social interaction, while reducing the potential for online bullying.

Macarthur Girls High School has strong teaching and learning practices to support students in the classroom  using various forms of appropriate technology, which maximises the benefits and minimises the risks of digital  environments and prepare students for life beyond school. We foster a safe learning environment which  supports and enhances each child’s social and emotional health through our wellbeing and learning support  teams.

Off and Away approach

Macarthur Girls High School has elected to use the OFF AND AWAY approach. All mobile phones and other  non-educational electronic devices including wired and unwired headphones and speakers will be ‘off and  away’ for the full school day, including recess and lunch. This will mean that students will have a responsibility to turn off their phone and store it safely in their school bag for the course of the school day on entry to  the school. Mobile phones and headphones should not be held in student pockets and should remain in the student’s bag throughout the school day. Students may access their phones when travelling to and from  school outside the school gates. This is an approved NSW Department of Education option and will limit  unnecessary distractions and complement our ongoing approach to ensure every student maximises their learning and social growth in a safe and supportive environment.

Key features of this approach include:

• Mobiles phones and/or headphones or speakers MUST be kept in the student school bag, not in pockets of the uniform.
• If the phone is seen OR heard, the student will be given one verbal warning to put the phone  away. If the student fails to follow this direction and/or the device is seen or heard again, the student  will be asked to report to the Student Administration Office where their phone will be confiscated for  the day and securely stored. The parent/guardian will be notified and informed that if the phone is  confiscated again, the phone will only be released to the parent/guardian. The student will be given  a pass to collect their phone at the end of the school day and reminded that if their phone is  confiscated again, the phone will need to be collected by their parent/guardian.
• If the phone is seen OR heard on more than one occasion, the student will be asked to report to  the Student Administration Office where their phone will be confiscated and stored securely. The parent/guardian will be notified and the phone will only be released to the parent/guardian.
• Failure to comply – Any students who fail to follow teacher directions to comply with the  Departmental Ban on mobile phones will face disciplinary action, which could include the issuing of  a Formal Caution.

Making Payments

Macarthur Girls High School recognises that some students make financial payments via applications on  their mobile phones. While the school would prefer students to use cash cards for tap and go purchases,  students will be able to continue to make such payments at the finance office, uniform shop  and canteen but must comply with the following guidelines.

At the finance office or uniform shop – students must not get their phones out until they are being  served and must then immediately turn off their phones and return them to their bags.

At the canteen – students must not get their phones out until they are in the marked phone zone  and must then  immediately turn their phones off and return them to their bags before moving away from the canteen.

Students must follow the instructions of staff at the finance office and canteen in relation to any phones  used for payment. Any students failing to follow school expectations will face disciplinary action.

Exemptions

Medical/wellbeing exemptions

Macarthur Girls High School understands there may be students who have a medical, wellbeing or learning  need which will require them to access a mobile phone as defined in this plan. Any student who requires  exemption will be contacted by their Deputy Principal and/or a member of the School Wellbeing Team in  order to determine where an exemption will be applied for, on behalf of a student, as well as the  adjustments to any school-based practices and procedures. Requests for exemptions should be made to  Deputy Principals but will require medical certification.

Academic exemptions

In exceptional circumstances, teachers may request Deputy Principals or the Principal to allow an  academic exemption for students who may be required to use mobile phone applications to complete  mandatory work tasks. In such circumstances, teachers will supervise students to ensure that the devices  are used under supervision during a specified class time and that parents are informed.

Parents contacting students

Macarthur Girls High School is aware that many parents currently contact their daughters by mobile phone  during the school day. As students will not be able to access their phones until after they have left school, it  is imperative that parents use other means of contacting their child. The school understands there will  always be emergencies when parents need to get in contact with students or vice versa during the school  day. In such cases, parents and carers can contact the school via phone (96831866) so that a message  can be provided to the student in the most appropriate way. Students will also be able to contact parents or  carers if urgent after seeking permission from the Deputy Principal or Principal.

This policy will be implemented at Macarthur Girls High School from Monday 28th August, Week 7 Term 3, 2023.

The policy will be communicated and explained to students via school assemblies, cohort Google Classrooms and  during PRIDE lessons. Posters outlining key points will be placed in all classrooms and key school locations.

The policy will be communicated to the parents and the broader school community via school newsletters, emails,  the school app and the school website.

This policy has been developed in line with Department of Education guidelines and has been ratified by student, staff  and school council representatives in August, 2023.