Recently there has been considerable conversation regarding the use of mobile phones within schools. Independently of political parties using the issue as part of their electioneering platform, there is a growing amount of evidence that states that unlimited access to mobile phones can have a detrimental effect on learning and social development.

Present challenges faced by schools include elevated levels of social isolation, learning distractions, student-teacher conflicts over device usage, and the misuse of social media. However, there are instances where these phones can aid learning, such as note-taking, setting reminders, recording and analyzing audio and video, utilizing calculator apps, or photographing notes from a whiteboard. The key is around encouraging the positive use of phones for learning purposes and minimizing the amount of distraction that these devices can cause. As parents and whānau you can assist with this. One way is to not text or try to contact your child during class time. Urgent messages should be directed to the school's reception.

In the coming months a working group made up of staff, students and parents, will investigate the use of mobile phones at Riccarton High School, particularly with how it relates to wellbeing over break times. Look out for more information about this including how you can become involved.

Our school currently has three teams competing in Winter Tournament fixtures across the South Island: senior netball in Invercargill, senior boys' basketball in Timaru, and the climbing team here in Christchurch. Additionally, our school's Hip Hop crew, MANIK, will be participating in the National Hip Hop competition in Dunedin. This marks our first qualification for this event, and we extend our best wishes to all participating students.

Finally, I am pleased to report that work on our redevelopment project continues to progress at a steady pace. All the action is currently on the inside with our first new classroom block and completion of this building is still scheduled for the end of September. We do look forward to some of our junior school being the first students to utilize this facility at some stage in the fourth term.

Ngā mihi nui

Neil Haywood