HCC Mobile Phone &amp Devices Policy

HOLY CROSS COLLEGE
Mobile Phone & Devices Policy

Related SCS Policies/Documents:
Student Use of Digital Devices and Online Services Policy
RATIONALE
Holy Cross College recognises that most students own and carry mobile phones or devices (e.g. Apple
watches, cameras, iPods, laptops and tablets) and that they are an important part of everyday life. These
devices vary in their sophistication and can be used inappropriately, lost or damaged and must therefore be
effectively managed by the student. Holy Cross is committed to maintaining a positive school culture that
promotes safe, responsible and respectful use of digital devices and online services.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Policy is to set out clear guidelines for students, staff, parents and carers regarding the
possession and use of mobile phones and other devices at Holy Cross College. This policy has been
implemented in line with SCS guidelines and policies and will allow students to feel secure at school, interact
positively with their peers and allow staff to teach without the distraction that mobile phones can invariably
bring into the classroom environment.
GUIDELINES
● Student mobile phones must be switched off, out of sight and securely stored in the student’s
bag between the hours of 8:30am and 3:05pm (2.25pm on Thursday). It is not acceptable to use
mobile phones at recess or lunch, nor between lessons.
● Exemption to the prohibition on mobile phone use during the school day may be applied if the College
Principal is satisfied that in particular circumstances, the use of mobile phones serves a clear and
specific educational or medical purpose.
● Students may use their laptops/ IPADS in the FLP/ Library at recess and lunch for school based
learning only.
● Students must behave in an ethical manner when using any digital device, as per the Student
Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement (Students, Parents and Carers sign this agreement at the
commencement of each academic year and it can be found in the College Diary).
● Students are fully responsible for the security of their devices at all times. Holy Cross College accepts
no responsibility for students whose devices are lost, stolen or damaged. This also applies to any
organised off-site school events.
● Headphones should only be used in class with the teacher’s permission to access educational material.
● When a student is attending examinations during scheduled examination blocks, mobile phones and
other devices which provide an internet connection must not be brought into the exam room.
Consequence for Student use of Mobile Devices (to be reset each term)
1st Offence:
- A Compass Chronicle entry is recorded where parents/ carers are notified.
- Phone confiscated and handed in to the College office where it will be stored safely.
- Student collects the phone at 3.05pm.
- A Wednesday detention is issued.
2nd Offence:
- Phone confiscated and handed in to the College office where it will be stored safely.
- Parent/ Carer is required to attend the College to collect the student’s mobile phone.
- A Friday detention is issued.
3rd Offence:
- Parent/ Carer is required to attend the College to collect the student’s mobile phone. At this time they
are required to attend a meeting with their son and the relevant Year Coordinator.
- Student is required to hand the mobile phone into student services each school day (8.30am -3.05pm)
for the remainder of the term.
- A Friday detention is issued.
- Counselling is offered.
If the phone is used to film or photograph a member of the College community without their permission, in
addition to the above sanctions, the College may also choose to enact the College suspension policy, seek
advice from the SCS Child Safety team and liaise with the NSW Police.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Students
● Turn off phones on arrival at the College each morning and place them securely in their College bag. All
phones are to be switched off and secure by 8.30am.
● Ensure that they have a Compass card/ cash or debit card that can be used at the Canteen. Phones will
not be permitted to be taken from College bags to purchase food.
● Use the allocated time in HCT to write any room changes, alterations to routine in their College Diary.
● Only use headphones for educational purposes as directed by the Classroom teacher.
● Demonstrate self discipline and understand that an unwillingness to comply with the mobile phone and
devices policy or any staff instruction to hand their mobile device in will be responded to in line with the
College’s student management procedures.
Staff
● Remind students at the start of each lesson of their responsibility to ensure that their phone is turned off
and placed in their bag.
● Teachers on morning duty remind students at 8.30am of their responsibility to ensure that their phone is
turned off and placed in their bag.
● Reinforce the College expectations regarding mobile phones and Digital Devices.
● If a member of staff sees a student on their phone, they are to take the student's phone to the College
office where it will be stored securely in the College safe.
● Complete a Compass chronicle entry in the event that a mobile phone is confiscated and handed in to
the College office.
● Only permit headphones to be used for educational purposes, e.g. watching a video that has been
posted on Google Classroom.
● Seek approval from the College Principal if wishing students to use their mobile device for a classroom/
educational activity.
● HCT teachers remind students each morning to turn phones off and place securely in College bags.
● HCT teachers give students the opportunity each morning to check Compass on their Laptop/ Ipad and
record and classroom changes in their Diary.
Parents
● Parents and Carers are asked to read and understand the Holy Cross Mobile Phone and Devices policy
and discuss the contents with their son.
● Understand that any student who makes a choice not to comply with the Mobile Phone and Devices
policy will have the consequences applied as stated clearly within the policy.
● Parents and carers are asked not to contact their son directly during school hours but to reach out to the
College office if they require a message to be delivered to the student.
● Actively support the College in discussions with their son regarding the use of mobile phones and
devices.
Written: September 2023

Review: Annually

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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

Mobile Phone & Devices Policy

Written: September 2023

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