At the beginning of Term 3, the following rules will be in place for all students. The school uses the term phones to include cell phones, mobile and a device with cellular capabilities.

• We recommend students do not bring their cell phones to school.

• Students will not be permitted to use cell phones between 8.30 am and 3.10 pm

• If students bring their cell phones to school, they need to be switched off and in their bags between these times.

• We will cooperate with but not invest staff time in any instance of phone damage, loss or theft as we have recommended students leave their phones at home.

• If a parent needs to contact their child or pass on a message, parents should call the school office and that message will be passed on to the student.

• If a student is caught using their cell phone during these times, including break times, they will be asked to hand it to the staff member who will take their name, place the phone in an envelope and take it to the office where it will be stored securely. It is the student’s responsibility to collect the phone at 3.10 pm.
  

• If the student has been asked to hand in their phone a second time, a parent will be informed and they will have to collect the phone from the school office.

• If it happens again, one of the Senior Leaders will contact home and arrange an alternative strategy either leaving the phone at home for 5 weeks or dropping it at the office every morning and collecting it at the end of the school day for the same period. This will be decided at the parent meeting.

• Continued disregard for our school’s cell phone policy will result in a meeting with the Principal as it will be deemed a continual defiance of a school policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I listen to music?

You can use your learning device (Laptop/Chromebook) to listen to music when a teacher approves of this. Otherwise no headphones or earbuds are required. In a workshop, it is unsafe for students to have headphones on and should wear appropriate safety equipment in these situations.

• What about my watch?

Any watch that has cellular capabilities is included in the ban, communication with others using this device will result in the same consequences as a mobile phone.

• What if my boss needs to contact me about work?

All communications should go through the student office, as per parental contact.

• What if I don’t have a device?

DHS is a BYOD school and we do encourage a device to be purchased as part of the school’s stationery. Teachers may book a device if the classwork requires one, otherwise workbooks and exercise books will be used for learning in class.

• Why is my teacher on their phone?

Teachers will be using their phones for administrative purposes where the situation requires the use of a cell phone. For example, it is not practicable for a PE teacher to walk with their laptop in the gym for these duties or in a workshop.