From Term Two, the phone policy is required to be implemented in its entirety.

The 'Phones Away For The Day' means that students are not to have their phones out for any reason, unless directed by a teacher, in classes and during break times.

Why This Policy?

• This policy has been implemented by the Government as they want the focus to be on your learning.
• The latest education results (PISA) from across a number of countries (OECD) indicate that cell phones are one of the major contributors to the decline of education.
• Education is the gateway to better life outcomes not only for individuals but also society as a whole.
• Parents and employers agree that minimising cell phone distraction is important for students to focus on learning and preparing for focus in the workplace.
• Replacing the habit of phone use with healthier habits including positive interactions with their peers and the world around them.

How Will Students Communicate With Home?

• Parents must email or call the school to pass students a message e.g. the meeting place after school has changed. Please use email in the first instance.
• If students want to communicate home they must use email in the first instance.
• If students are unwell and need to go home they are to go to Student Services / Kāhui Rangatahi and they will liaise with you to collect your student.

What Will Happen If Your Child Has Their Phone Out?

• There will be a warning process to begin with after which time teachers will work through a process of taking cellphones in for safe keeping.
• If students are really struggling, they may be placed on personalised plan whereby they give their phone to their whānau/advisor teacher at the start of the day.
• If the student has left their laptop at home and/or their laptop is broken, using a phone is not a valid reason. Students will have access to loan chromebooks, IPADS and desktop computers.

How Can You Help?

• Have conversations with your child about what the communication plan will be:

1. E.g. you will download the email app to your parental device so you can check more easily if your child has emailed
2. You assure your child that you email them or call the school if you need to pass them a message
3. You will put plans in place for after school pickup and stick to this.

• Have conversations with your child about phone addiction and support them to put healthier habits in its place:

1. E.g. Taking up a sport, join a club/music group
2. Consider different fidget toys to supplement the hands needing to do something - check out: Kaiko Fidgets
3. Role model good phone use at home

• Support the implementation of this policy by having conversations at home about how to manage this transition.

Check out this blog from a well known NZ author James Russell who talks about the benefit of teenagers putting their phones away.

Exceptions:

• Some classes will use cellphones for learning e.g. media studies. This will be made clear by the teacher when this is appropriate and for how long.
• EOTC trips may require cell phones, this will be indicated in the consent forms.
• Some students may need access to phones for translation, health and or inclusive learning purposes. This will be indicated on the child’s KAMAR profile and approved by the IL/ELL department.