Purpose
These procedures will promote the learning, safety and well-being of students and the management of any risk of harm and distraction from the use of digital technology accessed via a mobile phone, smartwatch, or other personal electronic device.
Thank you to those who completed the 2023 survey, informing us about your wishes for the future of learning at Sydney Secondary College. Based on consultation among students, staff and the school community, Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus will be using the policy of OFF and AWAY for students at the commencement of Term 4, 2023.
Scope
This procedure provides a consistent framework for the safe, responsible and respectful use of mobile phones by students in our school. It sets out the shared responsibilities of school staff, students parents and carers. It also provides a framework to manage potential risks to student safety and well-being.
This procedure covers student use of mobile phones in school-related settings, including on school grounds, at school-related activities and outside of school where there is a clear and close connection between the school and the conduct of students.
Our School's Approach
Sydney Secondary College, Baima in Campus is a Positive Behaviour for Learning school.
The SSCBC Mobile Phone Policy Off and Away in Bags approach to digital devices includes mobile phones, smart watches, earphones, earbuds and airpods. All other digital devices that are not specifically used for classwork will also need to be off and in bags.
SSCBC has a gate-to-gate policy - Phones Off and Away applies during this time.
Incursions, excursions, sports and camps will also follow the off-and-away school policy, exemptions will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
In some cases, for educational purposes, phones may be needed in the classroom. In this case, students will be permitted to use their phones for specific educational purposes. Once the work has been completed phones will need to be turned off and returned to their bags as per the mobile phone policy.
Exemptions
Exemptions may be provided for students who have health conditions. This will be negotiated with the Principal if relevant documentation is provided. Phones and devices will not be allowed to be used at recess and lunch times, so students will need to bring credit cards or cash if they are using the canteen.
Contact between students parents and carers during the school day
During school hours, parents and carers are expected to only contact their children via the school office or student email.
Responsibilities and obligations
For students:
• Be safe, responsible and respectful, and support their peers to be the same.
• Respect and follow school rules and procedures and the decisions made by staff, knowing that other schools may have different arrangements.
• Communicate respectfully and collaboratively with peers, school staff and the school community and behave in the ways described in the Behaviour Code for Students.
• Students must take full responsibility for any mobile phone or similar device brought to school. The school will not be responsible for their loss, theft, damage or consequence if another student has the device.
• Students must purchase from the canteen using card or cash. Phones or devices are not to be used for purchases
• Students with exemptions must only use the phone or device as stated in their exemption plan (e.g. health-related). Any alternate use will follow the school behaviour policy.
For parents and carers:
• Recognise the role they play in educating their children and modelling the behaviours that underpin the safe, responsible and respectful use of digital devices and online services.
• Support implementation of the school procedure, including its approach to resolving issues.
• Take responsibility for their child's use of mobile phones at home such as the use of online services with age and content restrictions.
• Keep student devices at home when requested as per the Behaviour Policy
• Communicate with school staff and the school community respectfully and collaboratively as outlined in the 2018 School Community Charter.
Communicating this procedure to the school community
Students will be informed about this procedure through Year Meetings addressed by the Principal, Deputy Principals and Year Advisors and in their Wellbeing Classes.
Parents and carers will be advised via the school newsletter. This procedure can be accessed electronically via the school's websjte and in hard copy at the school's administration office.
Complaints
If a student, parent or carer has a complaint under this procedure, they should first follow our school's complaint process. If the issue cannot be resolved, please refer to the department's guide for students/ parents/ carers about making a complaint about our schools.
Review
The principal or delegated staff will review this procedure annually through various means including Staff reviews and surveys.