As a requirement, all schools must have a policy in place for cell phones and any other personal devices by the start of Term 2, 2024. Our board have met and reviewed our policy to ensure that it aligns with the government's mandate regarding 'cellphones and other personal devices away for the day' - Regulations require that; schools must ensure students do not use or access a personal phone while they are attending school, including during lunchtime and breaks. This includes students who are on a school course (Year 7 & 8 Technology programme) or school visits (school trips, camp) outside the school grounds.

A personal digital device is any privately owned digital device that is not part of any school-approved Bring Your Device (BYOD) programme. Te Kura o Tiori - Burnham School does not recommend that students bring personal digital devices to the school. These are not necessary to have during the day. However, we understand that some parents like their children to have a device to communicate with them after school.

We discuss the school rules about personal digital devices at the beginning of the year, and throughout the year as needed. Any changes to our school rules are communicated to students and our school community.

Parent/Caregiver and student responsibilities;

Smartwatches are not used during the school day. If a parent/caregiver needs to contact their child urgently during the day, they should call the office.

If a student brings a personal digital device to our school, the following guidelines apply:

• The school does not accept responsibility for lost, damaged, or stolen personal digital devices brought to the school but investigates any issues as appropriate.
• Students must hand in their devices to the office at the beginning of the day and can collect the devices at the end of the day.

Personal digital devices may not be taken on EOTC events.

Students are expected to follow our Digital Technology and Online Safety policy when using personal digital devices on school property or the school network.

Inappropriate use

If we see a student using a personal digital device inappropriately, we confiscate it. After the student locks the device, we place it in the office to be collected at the end of the day.

Inappropriate use of a personal digital device may include:

• 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.

Inappropriate use of a personal digital device is managed through the school Behaviour Management, Responding to Digital Incidents, and Surrender and Retention of Personal Digital Devices policies and procedures, as appropriate.