Communication and Use of Mobile Phones

Related Merici Policies

Nil

Rationale/Purpose

Mobile phones and technology are now a key part of modern life. Most students own a mobile phone with access to the internet and for safety reasons students will carry a mobile phone to contact home after or before school. However, mobile phones can and often do lead to several problems in school such as bullying, filming, disruption to lessons and inappropriate usage of the internet and social media leading to potential safeguarding issues.

Here at the Merici, we strongly encourage our students to develop socially and emotionally. This development is just as important as any academic progress or grades. Improving social skills and emotional development can best be done by talking to each other, interacting and developing real connections at break and lunchtime, as opposed to using their mobile phones.

Policy

The process for the use of mobile phones on the school site during school hours is as follows:

It is our policy that:

• Mobile phones are brought to the College by students at their own risk. The College does not accept responsibility or liability for lost or damaged student property and does not have insurance which would cover such loss or damage.
• Mobile phones or other electronic devices must be turned off during a fire evacuation or lockdown procedure as use could pose significant risks, including students lack attention in following staff direction.
• Phones and other electronic devices must be turned off when students are in class, moving between classes, at assembly or involved in any formal school activity in which the use or activation of the phone or device would interrupt the program, unless given specific permission from their teacher, or pre-approval has been given by the College e.g. to manage medical conditions.
• Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, Student Services remains a vital point of contact and can ensure students are reached quickly and assisted in the appropriate way.
• Students must not use their mobile phone to contact their parents and/or arrange to be collected from school if they are unwell. Students should go to Student Service and staff will then contact parents if appropriate.
• Mobile phones are NOT permitted in exam rooms, unless given pre-approval has been given by the College e.g. to manage medical conditions.

Year 7-10

• During the school day, during lesson time, students must not, under any circumstances, use mobile phones to make calls, send text messages, access the internet, access social media sites, take photos or use other applications.
• Students can access their phones to check messages and respond briefly via text message during recess and lunch while at their locker. Students are not to use their phones in any other part of the school grounds at recess and lunch.
• During class time, must store their Mobile phones in a secure locker. Students are not to access or use their mobiles phones during class time unless given specific permission from their teacher, or if approval has been given by the College, e.g. to manage medical conditions.

Year 11-12

• Senior Students can access and use mobile phones during recess and lunch breaks and study periods only. Phones should be switched off during class time and Students are not to access or use during class time unless given specific permission from their teacher, or if approval has been given by the College, e.g. to manage medical conditions.
• Failure to follow the above points will result in the mobile phone being confiscated. The student will be required to hand in their device to Student Services, in which it will be sealed in an envelope and kept in a secure location for the remainder of the day. The student will collect their phone at the end of the school day.
• Suppose a student fails to follow teacher instructions or hand in their device. In that case, they will be referred to the Deputy Principal Wellbeing, who will contact parents and organise a reflection afternoon.

References

Nil

Forms

Nil

Merici Contact Officer:  Deputy Principal Wellbein

Policy PDF
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