Regulations require schools to ensure students do not use or access a phone while attending school, including during lunchtime and breaks. This includes during breaks for students on a school trip outside the school grounds.

The procedures outlined below relate to all tamariki at Marshland School—Te Rito Harakeke using Smart Watches and cell phones. 

We are communicating these guidelines so that you can encourage your children to adhere to these and find alternative ways to stay connected during school hours.

Hours of policy on the school site 

• Phones handed in from 8:30 am and returned at 3:00 pm

• Smart Watches in 'School Mode' from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm

'School Mode' means one-way communication from parents and whānau only. Some particular watches have 'School Mode' functions (e.g. Spacetalk). 

Handling and storage

Consistent with current procedures, if brought on-site, cell phones are to be handed into assigned boxes in Learning Hubs at the beginning of the school day.  

Cell phones will be safely stored in secure cabinets during the school day. All staff will have access to the cupboard if a student needs their phone for an agreed reason (see exemptions). 

Smart Watches are required to be put on 'School Mode' and/or not used for messaging or phone contact between the hours identified above, unless for an agreed-upon reason (see exemptions).  

Managing exemptions 

We know tamariki need to access their phones or use their Smart Watches from time to time during the school day, and this cannot always be planned ahead of time. If tamariki need to do this, they will seek approval from a staff member in their Learning Hub, who will support them in accessing and using their cell phone or Smart Watch for the agreed reason. Following this, the phone will be secured back in the designated area. 

There are also times that tamariki may need a phone to be kept accessible during the school day, such as:

• For health reasons (e.g. to monitor insulin levels)

• To help a student with a disability or learning support need (e.g. to assist with impaired communication)

• To use phones for a specific educational task or purpose (e.g. taking photos for learning)

• The principal decides that they are needed for special circumstances.

If an exemption is necessary for any of the above reasons, parents and whānau are required to discuss this with their child's teacher, Team Leader or Riki Culley (Deputy Principal). 

What happens if things go wrong 

• Students will be reminded of the expectations and provided with support to follow procedures.

• If students are repeatedly not following cell phone and Smart Watch expectations, parents and whānau will be contacted. 

• If students continue to not follow expectations, phones or smart watches may be locked and handed to staff and picked up later in the day. Alternative arrangements may also be requested by senior management (e.g. dropping phones off at the office on the way to school or not bringing personal devices to school etc.). 

Parents and whānau can contact the school office at any time if they need to get a message through to their child (e.g. informed that they are walking home that day, or being picked up etc.).

If you have any questions or concerns about implementing this policy, please don't hesitate to contact us for clarification and support.