Away For The Day

Monday, 5th February 2024 at 2:20pm

Away for the Day - new phone rules for 2024

Most of you will know that the government has introduced regulations which require that schools must ensure students do not use or access a phone while they are attending school, including during lunch time and breaks.

From the start of Term 1, students will not be able to use their phones or phone accessories during the school day. This includes students who are on a school course or visit outside the school grounds.

GBHS Expectations:

We encourage students to leave their phones at home where possible. If a student chooses to bring a phone to school it must be switched off and in their bag when the bell rings for the start of period 1 until students leave the classroom at the end of period 5. This includes phone accessories such as ear buds, airpods and headphones. In addition to this, phones are not to be connected to smart watches during the school day.

If phones are brought to school, they must be kept in a student’s own school bag. It is important to note that if students do make the decision to bring a cellphone to the school grounds, they do so at their own risk. The school is not responsible for any loss or damage caused to any mobile phone or accessories including ear buds, airpods and headphones.

Any student with an exemption will be issued a pass through Deputy Principal Sandy Begg. Exemptions will be recorded on our school management system (KAMAR) and the student will be given a physical pass.

Managing expectations in the first four weeks (to 3 March):

We are beginning the term with a four week period where students will be supported to adjust to the new expectations. Until 3 March, if a teacher sees a student using their phones/phone accessories during the school day, we will follow the process outlined below:

• The teacher will ask the students to put their phone away and will reinforce phone expectations.
• The teacher will record the names and year levels of students who use their phones and send them to the year level Dean - if there are repeated instances, the Dean will contact whānau/caregivers.
• If a student refuses to put their phone away - the matter escalates and the Dean or DP will get in touch with whānau/caregivers.

From 3 March, the process will change to:

• Any student found using their phone will be sent to the Dean’s corridor with an orange phone referral, or brought to student services if outside of class time.
• The phone will be confiscated, labelled, and stored in a locked cabinet. Whānau/caregivers will be contacted. (Only Deputy Principals and Deans can confiscate phones).
• Students can reclaim their phones after 3.15pm from the on-duty Dean or Deputy Principal in the Deans corridor.

This process may be refined and improved over time based on feedback we receive. Please get in contact with the Year Level Dean or any member of the Senior Leadership Team if you would like to talk about this process or if you have any concerns.

FAQs

How will students know about the phone expectations? Students in Years 10-13 will have an assembly on Wednesday 7 February and the new phone expectations will be covered. Year 9 students have been told about the new phone expectations by their Form Teacher. There are clear visuals in classrooms and on doors to refer to this policy informing students that phones will be confiscated. At the start of each lesson, staff will refer to the visuals and expectations.

What happens if a caregiver needs to contact their child? Caregivers can contact the school office in the event of an emergency and need to speak immediately to their child. Alternatively students will have access to their mobile phones at 3:15pm.

What happens if a student needs to contact their caregiver? If there is an urgent need for a student to speak with a caregiver they can discuss with the Dean on duty or SLT.

What if a student can’t collect a mobile phone at 3:15pm due to a commitment? Students should speak with their Dean or SLT if they have had their phone confiscated and cannot collect at 3:15pm. Alternative arrangements may be made for caregivers to collect if necessary, or they can collect it the following day.

How long will a phone be confiscated for? In the event a mobile phone necessitates confiscation, this will be returned at the end of the school day or by negotiation with a caregiver. Students will not be able to leave class early from class to collect their phones.

What happens if students are using a smartwatch which is connected to their phones? Smartwatches are not to be connected to phones during the school day. If students are messaging on watches in the same way that they are on phones, then we will follow the same process as for phones.

What happens on a Wednesday when senior students finish early? All students will need to have their phones away while they are at school from the beginning of period 1 till they leave the classroom at the end of period 5. This includes senior students who finish timetabled classes early on Wednesday but are staying on the school site until the end of the school day at 3.15pm. Phones are also away for the day on school courses, trips or visits outside the classroom. This also applies to all Year 13 students who have study periods during the school day.

How do we support students who, for many reasons, may have worries and even anxiety about not being able to access their phone? Our Pastoral Team is well-prepared to support students who are finding things difficult. Students can access the Well-being Centre, the Guidance Counsellors and the 24/7 Youth Workers to get support. Teachers are aware of the support available for students and will get in touch with the Guidance Team if there is anyone they are concerned about.

Ngā mihi nui, Fiona Barker PRINCIPAL