Mobile Phone Policy

Adopted  May 2024
Next review date:  May 2027 (Reviewed Triennially)

Policy Statement
The Government has introduced regulations that require all state schools and kura to have student phone rules in place. As technology increasingly integrates into daily lives, mobile phones have become ubiquitous tools for communication, access to information, and entertainment. While they offer numerous benefits, their presence in educational settings poses challenges that require careful consideration. Distractions, disruptions to learning environments, and potential misuse of mobile devices necessitate establishing this policy regarding their use within the school premises.
 
Purpose
The primary purpose of this policy is to create a conducive learning environment that fosters academic engagement, social interaction, and personal responsibility among the school community. By regulating mobile phone use, we aim to mitigate distractions, enhance classroom focus, and promote respectful communication and interaction among students and staff. Additionally, this policy seeks to address concerns about cyberbullying, privacy violations, and academic integrity, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of the school community.
 
Students will always be able to use phones in specific cases:
A phone is needed for health reasons (for example, to monitor insulin levels); or
A phone is needed to help a student with a disability or learning support need (for example, to assist with impaired communication); or
A teacher requires students to use phones for a specific educational task or purpose (for example, for a class assignment); or
The principal decides that they are needed for special circumstances (for example, the student is a teenage parent).
 
Please refer to KingsGate School procedures for the specific implementation of this policy.