Student Use of Mobile Phones

The Hazard – Mobile Phones

Mobile phones can create a range of hazards when brought to College:

• They are valuable items that can easily be lost, stolen or damaged in the College environment
• Using phones inappropriately to bully, intimidate or harass people can have serious consequences including police involvement; and
• Mobile phone usage in Colleges not only disrupts learning for the phone user but also for fellow students.

Presbyterian Ladies’ College’s Policy

Presbyterian Ladies’ College acknowledges parents may wish their child to carry a mobile phone for personal safety reasons however, the right of a student to have access to a mobile phone at College must be balanced with the responsibility to use it appropriately.

It is our policy that:

For Junior School and Years 7-10 Students

• Mobile phones must only be used by students before 8.20 am or after 3.25 pm; and
• Mobile phones must be turned off and locked in the student’s locker during the school day.

For Years 11 and 12 students

• Students may carry their mobile phones with them during the school day but they should not be visible during recess and lunch times or between classes
• Students may only use their mobile phones for educational purposes with the express permission of the class teacher. If a student chooses to have their phone in class, it must be switched to silent; and
• Year 12 students may use their mobile phones strictly in the Year 12 OCA Common Room at all times.

For all students

• Courtesy, consideration of, and respect for others are paramount at all times
• Students should never photograph or record sound or capture other information at the College or at any other school function without the express permission of the teacher in charge
• Reports of all incidents of misuse of mobile phones will be recorded and retained on the record-keeping database
• Students are not permitted to use mobile phones during field trips, excursions, or other off-campus supervised activities unless given permission to do so by relevant staff. Arrangements will be in place for communication with staff members in the case of an emergency
• Non-observance or breaches of these rules may result in the mobile phone being confiscated
• Parents are to be informed that in cases of emergency, the college remains an appropriate point of contact to reach their child quickly; and
• Students may use their mobile phones to pay for items at Bev’s Café, however, they should only have their phones visible when paying and they should not use their phones for other purposes.

Related Policies

Information and Learning Technology Policy