Phones away for the day!

Kia ora whānau

It is essential that you remind your children to put their phones in their classroom lockbox and that if they wear a smartwatch, it must be in 'school mode'.   

Unfortunately, this message has not reached a small group of students. Please check with your children to see if they are handing in their phones as required under the Education Act and a mandatory requirement of all schools in New Zealand.

Previous communications as a reminder:

The following communication is on our school website, explained to our year 5-8 students, and emailed to all parents.

At Tai Tapu School, our approach has always been 'away for the day’, meaning cell phones either do not accompany the student to school or are switched off and in the learning hub lock box during the full school day.

Additionally, children who wear a smartwatch must have it in ‘School Mode’ (or the equivalent mode), which disables the watch from making or receiving calls or text messages.

International research indicates some key challenges with cell phones at school, such as being a major distraction for our students. These rules are designed to maximise the learning of all students while minimising any potential for distraction and cyberbullying. Our approach is “away for the day,” meaning the device should be turned off and handed to the teacher to be locked away during the school day.

We strongly recommend students do not bring these devices to school with them. If a student brings their cell phone for emergency contact or health reasons, it must be handed to the teacher to be locked in their learning hub lockbox. Students can then access their phones with the teacher's permission.

We understand that some parents like their children to have a phone to communicate with them after school. Cell phones will be available for students during the afterschool pick-up time. If a parent or caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the front office.

It is important to note that students who bring cell phones to the school grounds do so at their own risk. The school is not responsible for any loss or damage to cell phones.

Appropriate usage and exemptions

There may be times when students can access and use their cell phones. However, this is the exception and will always be monitored by teaching staff.

Learning activities

If cell phones are used for a learning activity, this will be at the teacher's discretion, and a staff member will supervise the use of the phones. Guidelines on appropriate usage still apply.

Health and Emergencies

Students with additional learning needs who use cell phones in class to increase or improve their ability to participate and learn will be granted an exemption. In matters related to a student's immediate health and safety concerns, a parent or caregiver can apply at any time to the principal for a period of exemption (e.g., medical conditions or protection issues).

Education outside the classroom (EOTC)

Cell phones should be switched off on school trips and placed in their bags. Permission may be sought to use the camera, but other mobile features should not be accessed.

Inappropriate usage

If we see a student misusing a personal digital device or without permission during the school day, we ask the student to turn their phone off and place it in the learning hub lockbox. A parent or guardian can then collect the phone at the end of the day. Parents will be asked to support their child's decision to put their phone in the lockbox if a student refuses to do so.

Breaches of the cellphone rules include (but not limited to):

• using the device when not permitted

• any sort of bullying, including online bullying

• taking photos or videos of other people without their permission

• forwarding inappropriate messages or content.

If a student decides to use a cell phone more than once a week inappropriately, the phone will be confiscated. A parent or caregiver can only retrieve it after discussing it with the homeroom teacher.

Please note that with all exemptions and exceptions, appropriate usage guidelines and other relevant school rules still apply.

Bernadette May

Principal

Tai Tapu School